*2009 MLB Thread*

[VTDragon]

Sox take 2 of 3 from Phillies. Still in first by 2 games. Beckett had a bad day Sunday, but I guess they can't all be good ones. The team looks very tired right now.

Next up after a much needed day off; the Marlins. Media is projecting John Smoltz will start against them on Thursday. The big question for the Sox is: who goes to make room for Smoltz, both on the team and in the rotation? Gee .... I wonder if Dice-K hurt his arm/shoulder/wrist/earlobe in his rain delayed 4 inning stint on Saturday?

[PeteSB75]

Originally Posted by VTDragon

Sox take 2 of 3 from Phillies. Still in first by 2 games. Beckett had a bad day Sunday, but I guess they can't all be good ones. The team looks very tired right now.

Next up after a much needed day off; the Marlins. Media is projecting John Smoltz will start against them on Thursday. The big question for the Sox is: who goes to make room for Smoltz, both on the team and in the rotation? Gee .... I wonder if Dice-K hurt his arm/shoulder/wrist/earlobe in his rain delayed 4 inning stint on Saturday?

Hey, don't hate on him too much. He was over-tired coming in to the season. He worked too much in the WBC. Give him a couple weeks off and I think you'll see him return to something closer to last year's form. They can spare him easily, with Smoltz starting back from surgery and Buckholtz and Masterson both able to start if needed.

I find it interesting how long Sox fans will hold on to the slightest glimmer of hope that Papi is not done, but they start turning on Matsuzaka the moment he shows any weakness. He was our best pitcher last year.

[VTDragon]

Originally Posted by PeteSB75

... I find it interesting how long Sox fans will hold on to the slightest glimmer of hope that Papi is not done, but they start turning on Matsuzaka the moment he shows any weakness. He was our best pitcher last year.

Well he had a lot of wins, that does not necessarily make him the best pitcher. He rarely got out of the sixth inning and had the most run support of any Sox pitcher. I admit to being one of Papi's fans who don't want to give up on him and your'e right, I'm almost eager to throw Dice-K under the bus.

Why? I think it's a combination of the fact that it is really hard to dislike Ortiz and it's really hard to watch Dice-K pitch.

Papi is a genuine big kid playing a game he loves and you can't help but root for him. At one point during his slump he was very frustrated and did not want to talk to the media. He simply said to them "Just put down that Papi stinks". Hard to picture many other major leaguers saying that. We also remember all his contributions to the series wins in 04 and 07. As for Matsuzaka, he fiddles and diddles and nibbles the corners and never seems to bear down and challenge a hitter until a couple of guys are on base. He seems to shake off Variteck more than he listens to him and is downright stubborn in his approach to pitching. Sometimes it is downright excruciating to watch. Finally, he seems downright distant to the average fan. Yea, I know there is a big language and cultural gulf there, but that doesn't change this fans' perceptions.

[PeteSB75]

I'm not trying to start an argument or put you on the defensive. I am a Boston fan myself. I was just pointing out the difference in fan treatment of the two.

In Ortiz's case, he has obviously been frustrated and pushing for most of this season. He's had a few homers and a few hits, but he's not close even to his form of last year, which was down quite a bit from the year before. I would let him rest for a week or two and maybe play a week or two at the farm teams before bringing him back up and seeing where he stands. He's the DH, with no contribution to the team but his hitting, which is just not doing it. He'll get some rest anyway over the next few weeks with inter-league play, but I would put Lowell in the DH spot and get another bat in there.

In Daisuke's case, between the language issue and the fact that no-one in the US media or fan base bothers to even try to spell his name, can you blame him for being distant? I guess I don't have a problem with him being stubborn and shaking off Varitek. Tek is good, but he's obviously not always on the same wavelength as Masuzaka. He's also struggled this year, mostly due to overwork during the WBC. I'd let him rest on the DL for a bit. With Smoltz back from surgery shortly and Buchholz and Masterson both waiting in the wings and able to start, they can definitely spare him.

It's a long season, and a few weeks off won't hurt either guy when they need him to perform at his peak, in September and October, not June.

[VTDragon]

Originally Posted by PeteSB75

In Daisuke's case, .... I'd let him rest on the DL for a bit. With Smoltz back from surgery shortly and Buchholz and Masterson both waiting in the wings and able to start, they can definitely spare him.

I agree about Matsuzaka, but think they should keep Papi in the lineup as much as possible. Hey, 3 HRs in the last 7 games ..maybe he is coming out of it .... hmmmm, I guess that proves your first point.

[PeteSB75]

Originally Posted by VTDragon

I agree about Matsuzaka, but think they should keep Papi in the lineup as much as possible. Hey, 3 HRs in the last 7 games ..maybe he is coming out of it .... hmmmm, I guess that proves your first point.

Ortiz has also been hitting about .320 over the last 10 games, (9 hits in his last 28 at bats) so I think this discussion would have more meaning a week or two ago, but still. I think he would have gotten back to good form sooner had he had time on the bench sooner. Francona only sat him for what, 3 games?

[VTDragon]

Originally Posted by PeteSB75

I think he would have gotten back to good form sooner had he had time on the bench sooner. Francona only sat him for what, 3 games?

You may be right, though I read a report (in the Herald I think) that it was his father coming to visit him that lifted him out of his funk.

Who knows? All I know is that the Sox have been a lot of fun to watch so far this year.