Apparently, the Red Sox thought they were playing in the Metrodome last night; how else to explain the futility they exhibited, particularly in the ninth? Likewise, Josh Beckett could have all but sealed the Cy Young with a 21st victory that clinched the division, to boot. Instead, he made us wonder if the Sox might not be better starting their series on the road.
Never mind that. Today’s a new day. Two games up, three to play. Still a comfortable margin, as the Sox’ destiny is entirely within their hands. Win two, and they’re in. So let’s start tonight.
Tonight, it’s Daisuke Matsuzaka, who has not been good in about a month, against Kevin Slowey, who’s given up just one run in each of his last three starts.
The Sox, meanwhile are putting perhaps the best starting lineup they’ve had all season out there — Manny and Youks back, with Ellsbury in center. A 2008 Opening Day preview, perhaps?
Oh, and Clay Buchholz is down for the season. Fatigue. Based on the Papelbon experience, this is obviously a smart move — and it makes one wonder whether the situation might be worse had the Sox begun relying on Buchholz heavily in an eighth inning role down the stretch.
Comment away!
Boston:
1. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
2. Manny Ramirez. LF
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Mike Lowell, 3B
5. J.D. Drew, RF
6. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
9. Julio Lugo, SS
SP: Daisuke Matsuzaka
Minnesota:
1. Jason Bartlett, SS
2. Jason Kubel, LF
3. Torii Hunter, CF
4. Justin Morneau, DH
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Garrett Jones, 1B
7. Matt LeCroy, C
8. Brian Buscher, 3B
9. Nick Punto, 2B
SP: Kevin Slowey
156 comments… add one
I’m bummed for Clay to be shut down, was hoping he’d do some relief duty in the playoffs against teams who’d never seen him before, but understand why they’re doing it.
I don’t doubt in the future there’ll be a version of the Joba-HouseRules for all young pitchers in MLB.
Wow, I’m sad that Buchholz is out too. Better safe than sorry though–this kid is too good to risk.
Agreed on those sentiments. It’s a shame, but I’d rather this than blowing out his arm in the postseason. The Sox can win a lot more with him in the rotation for years to come than without him.
Up 2-0 after 1.5 innings, courtesy of an Ortiz double, Lowell RBI single, and a Drew RBI double (I’m happy to see Drew really turning it around for a prolonged period of time…) and two clean innings from Daisuke.
Sox go down 1-2-3. However, good at bats for everyone but (!) Ellsbury.
Clean inning for Dice. But Im not wild about his K/BB ratio.
err.. I mean strikes to ball
ROY singles
Manny able to get to second on a muffed ball. Veddy nice.
Manny? *pokes gameday* What happened after Pedroia singled?
Gameday has gone insane. Pedroia singles.. then ball 1 to Papi hat gets away.. and lets Manny reach second? How’d Manny get on? Where’s Dustin?
OK.. there we go. Papi singles, Manny holds at 3rd.
Ball in the air, Mikey. Just get it in the air deep enoguh to score him.
Good enough! Groudn out scores the runner.
I need to see that replay.. between Mikey and Papi I wonder what kind of groundball doesnt get 2.. or at least get Papi.
Drew makes an out. No boos from me. Youve been good this month, keep it up.
Withotu Guthrie/Bedard the Os are a joke btw.
Bedard was one of their highlights of the year, my goodness, he’s good.
ugh, a 123 from Slowey. Blah.
Bedard is beyond good. He’s the kidna player you build around, to borrow a cliche. The Os HAVE pieces. If their management would spend some money properly to get the last few pieces (ie a bullpen that WORKS) they’ll be a contedner.
The Jays ARE contenders. If it wasnt for all those injuries, they’d be in the mix.
Another strogn inning for Dice.
Absolutely, I thought when the Blue Jays came in second last year the AL East was in for a real fight this season. Losing BJ Ryan before the season even began was rough (for them) and then it was all downhill thereafter.
wtf- I want to remind the Orioles that they’re up against Mike Mussina, he of teh suck this year.
But whatever, as long as we win-win-win.
Yanks break it open. *sigh*
Manny goes down after a good at-bat.
Pleas ehold the line.. PLEASE.
Dice strieks out Hunter to end the 6th. Despite his impressive line thus far, Im still unhappy wiht his stirkes-balls ratio. He’d be dead against a playoff team unless he throws more strikes
YOUK! Singles in Mikey! Drew was producive moving Mike to third.
The Orioles are rallying, scoring 3 runs in the 5th. 7-5 now, Moose coming unravelled.
Orioles score again, 7-6 now.
Orioles crawl back to trailing the Yankees by only 7-5. This could be the night the Sox clinch, with any luck and a Yankee bullpen meltdown.
Morneau homers. Fuck.
But I still can’t hate him, cause he stole Jeter’s MVP award last year. Gotta love him after that!
I doubt it Fan. We can win, btu the Yanks will be throwing two innings of Joba and one of Mo for the rest of the game. One of Viz too, I suppose. Even assuming the Os Bullpen hodls the line (laughable).
Ramon tryign to stretch that doubel into a triple ended the Os chances.
7-6 in the NY game. It could happen
SoxFan, don’t jinx it dude!
Dont let it get to you Dice.
And Papi? Manny? Pedroia?.. lets get some more insurance.
OK, 8-6 on a Damon HR
Johnny Damon lead-off homer. Grrrrrr.
What did I say? I knew that Os bullpen was no good.
Time to pull Dice.
PULL PULL PULL!
Things are getting dicey for Dice-K.
WHY IS DICE IN THIS GAME STILL? DAMN YOU TITO?!
Francona must be keeping Matsuzaka in so as to “see what he has” (ala Gagne) for the postseason.
4-2 now. Runner on 3rd. Two outs.
WHERE IS THE PEN?
WE WANT TIM-LIN *clap clap clapclapclap*
Oh thank sweet zombie jesus.
Dice-K gets himself out of it. Whew.
2 runs over 7 innings is really good for Daisuke, especially considering how he’s pitched lately.
Still throws WAY too many balls, Atheose.
Ellsbury groudns out. I wonde rif he’s tiring a little? This is the longest he’s played. Minor league seasons are long over.
ARE YOU SHITTING ME?!!
Is Gameday correct and Dice-K is still in?!
Why is he out there? WHY GOD?
What the HELL Terry?
Why is Daisuke in? WHY IS DAISUKE IN?
ach, mein stomach ist shredded.
Ugh Joe Castig is tlaking baout how the reason Beckett shoudl win the Cy is that he has 20 Wins.
Wins. Are. A. Bad. Stat.
Markakis strikes out with runners on 1st and 2nd. Goddamnit.
3-2 on Kubel. One out.
Kubel walks. Can we PLEASE use our pen now?
I will be sooooooooooo happy if there’s a GIDP here. pleaseohpleaseohplease.
Walked him. Hunter is up as the tyign run.
WHERE IS TEH GOD DAMN PEN?!
Im gonna kill Tito. Devour his soul.
Francona must have dozed off in the dugout and nobody wants to wake him.
Daisuke is STILL not getting pulled? Someone go make sure Tito didn’t choke to death on his Big League Chew, cause I don’t think we have anyone managing our team right now.
Oh my god. Oh my God. 2-1. WHY WHY WHY
DOUBLE PLAY! THANK GOD!!!!!!
HOLY SHIT nosleeptilbrooklyn called it. Double Play.
Tito, I swear to god… don’t ever scare us like that again.
YAY!! BABY BASEBALL-JESUS HEARD MY PRAYER!!
Terry was DAMN close to pulling a Grady
Yanks threatening in the top of the 7th
Homer Ortiz! 5-2 Sox. We had BETTER see Paps in the 9th instead of Gagne.
PAPI! BREATHING ROOM!
O’s have closed the gap to 8-6
Yanks are poopyheads, they ruin all the fun.
Yanks fail to score. Farnsworth in.
Drew reaches on an error, that may have actually been a hit.
ooo Punto makes a nice grab to rob Youk
One pitch, one out.
Two.
THREE!
Magic Number is ONE!
Win #95.
Now, go Orioles, GO.
ONE BABY! ONE!!!
COME ON ORIOLES!
Fun Fact: Sean Henn is startign for the Yanks on Sunday
ARod puts some more insurance runs up on the board. I’m so goddamn sick of his purple lips.
Ach, stupid Yankees- they spoil all the fun.
Vizcaino is in now… maybe they do want to cough up the game after all.
Scott Moore with a 2-out single in the 8th. Top of the lineup now.
Brian Roberts doubles! Runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs.
Bases loaded, bottom of the ninth, dare I dream?
THE ORIOLES TIE IT ON A TRIPLE! The AL East division is now 90 feet away!
Scott Moore grounds out. Time for bonus baseball!
I can’t believe my rally-cap worked! I’ve never used it for a non-Red Sox team.
Is it just me, or have the Yankees played like 23846 extra innings games over the past two weeks?
God damn jeter.
Two down. Giambi though. Fuck.
Whew.
LETS GO Os!
Orioles! Orioles!!
Had Tiek been running right out of the box, he’d be on third.
Tike doubles! AL East-winning run is in scoring position.
PASSED BALL! Runner on third!
Passed-ball by Molina, runner at 3rd with 1 out. Come on Markakis!
If I were Torre I would walk Markakis and Tejada.
Shit. Intentional pass. DP is in order. Pitching change.. I bet Joba.
Please Tejada!
Bah, Torre listened to me.
Intent.
Its all up to, of all people, Kevin Millar.
Its all up to, of all people, Kevin Millar.
Well, this is beyond ironic.
Git er done, Millar…
Dammit Kevin. Whyd oyu swing at that ball?
cowboy up kevin.
FUCK! That was NOT a strike!
well….i don’t miss that at all.
Ok.. Mora.
Cowboy K’s. Mora up.
I’m betting there’s a HBP which drives in the winning run.
YES! IN PLAY RUNS! WE WON THE DIViSION!
SOX WIN THE DIVISION! OH MY GOD!
no way, squeez play.
and paps in a jockstrap.
BUNT LOL.
A bunt single! VICTORY!
WHOOOOOOO!
GOD BLESS MELVIN MORA
WON THE DIVISION!!!! YES!!!
Oh my god OH MY GOD!
The pennant is ours! YAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!
F*CKING RIGHT!!!
Anyone else sipping champagne?
Thank you, Jay Payton. Thank you, Chad Bradford.
THANK YOU MELVIN MORA, FOR THAT BEAUTIFUL, UNEXPECTED ENDING!!!
Hell, I’m sipping champagne.
Eliminate the Halos for us. Thanks.
Im covered in champagne!
Im wearign half the bottle.. drinkign the other half.
The Cubs just clinched too. Wow!
This SUCKS… my roommates are all out of town and my girlfriend doesn’t get off work until midnight. I don’t have anyone to high five!
*virtual five to Atheose*
*SLAP*
Does this also clinch home-field advantage for the Division Series?
Yeah Devine!
By the way, am I the last person in the world to find out that Buchholz has a blog?
http://www.buchwild.com/
Don’t have champagne but I’m drinking wine! CONGRATS RED SOX!!!
There’s nothing like a good bottle of Louis Bouillot that I’ve had chilled for two nights. I didn’t spray any all over me, but 2/3 of the bottle is now gone.
chandon with a splash of welchs strawberry soda.
When was the last time both the Cubs and Sox won their divisions?
I sprayed it all over myself. No one here to help. About 3/4 of the bottle remained. Down to a 1/4 now
1918?
I will admit.. tis cheaper champagne. If we get to the Series. then I break out the super-expensive stuff.
And no that wont stop me from wearing part of it.
RAWsox spoke the truth!!! Who’s the clownboy now??!!!! I love it AL EAST CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t feel bad Dionysus, my bottle cost $12. I’ll buy a $100 bottle if we go up 3-0 in the World Series, though.
I really like how the guys were talking tonight, they’re clearly focused on the bigger prize
Congrats on the division, although my bias and utter disgust at flipping past NESN will only let me congratulate you on clinching not being the #4 seed in the playoffs.
You take care of business, we’ll take care of business. See you in two weeks.
I had a couple of Sam Adams, the Dom Perignon only comes out in world series
I believe we (and the Indians) have also clinched not being the #3 seed, as the Angels lose all possible tiebreakers even if they win out.
THanks for the news, Ron. I feel high right now.
Going deep in the playoffs in the main goal, but winning the division for the first time in 13 years feels really, really good.
By the way, I feel bad for the Mets. I just saw David Wright’s post-game interview, and he seems really drained.
I live in Norfolk, so I saw Wright play for two years for the AAA Norfolk Tides. So I’m somewhat biased.
we led the division since april 18th. that is quite a feet to behold. congrats.
i now prepare for the throng of angel goons to open their ill informed mouths, out here in so cal.
Congratulations Sox fans. Big night for you. Can’t say I liked anything about it (other than another nail in the Mets coffin). Hope to meet up in the ALCS.
Thanks Ironhorse. Congrats on the Wild Card… it’s a huge feat considering how horrible the Yanks started off. I would be celebrating too if I was a Yankee fan.
“And there’s pandemonium on the field.”
Congratulations, gentlemen.
“Mercy!”
I’m trying to decide which member of this team to name my baby daughter after.
Well, if everyone else is drinking… (goes to get whiskey)
I finished the bottle of champagen just as Baseball tonight started. Settling in, a bit drunk to watch the Sox on it
Bill! Where have you been!!
Bill ahould name his daughter Dusortilowbury
This lurker is enjoying a Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA. Or two.
Sox fans with me in NYC, show your colors tomorrow. Turn the town red. Or blue.
Bill ahould name his daughter Dusortilowbury
It’s too bad LoGoLoYoVa is no longer in service…