October 18, 2004

Boston. New York. Game 5: Can't believe no thread's been started and we're in the third. Enjoy! Go Sox!

posted by hincandenza to baseball at 05:16 PM - 174 comments

First post: Nice fielding Captain Intangibles. His sidekick, Tim "Homoerotic Longing" McCarver was quick to explain away Jeter's lousy fielding.

posted by hincandenza at 05:16 PM on October 18, 2004

This is an interesting pitcher's duel; interesting because it's 2-1, but both pitcher's keep working out of situations. Neither looks particularly sharp, except when they really, really need to.

posted by hincandenza at 05:23 PM on October 18, 2004

Did anyone else catch that ridiculous McCarver "joke" about hitter's not liking "rap" music of that kind, after Leiter described a "wrap" curveball? It was both an inane joke, and a complete misunderstanding of what Leiter had said. Hearing Leiter spell out w-r-a-p to McCarver... jeezus, it just continues to underscore how awful McCarver is. Ugh.

posted by hincandenza at 05:37 PM on October 18, 2004

The 'duel' continues, Sox still lead 2-1. Man, this is gonna play hell on my ulcers. Better go to the store during the commercial break and get some cherry Tums...

posted by hincandenza at 05:40 PM on October 18, 2004

After the jabber back and forth about McCarver's "Trinidad Hubbard" quote, It almost seems like the other two idiots want McCarver to shut up too! At present we're trying to sell shoes cause the game is going slow. Damon strike's out again. Not a good series for him, too bad, He's a much better player. What a time for a slump.

posted by oicnub4 at 05:42 PM on October 18, 2004

the playoffs bring out the worst in Sox hitting (see 1999 and 2003 for episodes of Where's Nomar?)

posted by kokaku at 05:47 PM on October 18, 2004

If Cabrerra(sp*) had stolen second after Posada got popped on the throwing hand by Ramirez's foul ball, Jeter doesn't get the force at second and the inning isn't over yet. I see that as a mistake in baserunning/management.

posted by oicnub4 at 06:06 PM on October 18, 2004

i usually don't say such things but... woo hoo! go capt'n intangibles!

posted by goddam at 06:17 PM on October 18, 2004

I love how McCarver didn't flinch at using the phrase "clutch" in describing Jeter, and then mentioned how he hadn't gotten an RBI the entire series. If there had been a truly just god, he would have had Jeter strike out. Sadly, it's a Yankee god.

posted by grum@work at 06:21 PM on October 18, 2004

I can't see the screen, it's all covered in white stuff. Oh wait, that's Tim McCarver's spoo.

posted by hincandenza at 06:21 PM on October 18, 2004

Wow, he's leaving Pedro in, that's unbelievable. 4-2 is a comeback game; if Pedro gives up a Matsui bomb here, or even a deep line drive, it's suddenly a very, very hard game to win- and Pedro's been VERY wild the last few batters.

posted by hincandenza at 06:22 PM on October 18, 2004

LUCKY. Man. We need two runs, stat!

posted by hincandenza at 06:23 PM on October 18, 2004

yankees need to tack on at least one more to appease the 5 run theory. re: mccarver, i finally decided to turn off the sound and listen to the radio, which is what i usually do but didn't for this series for some reason.

posted by goddam at 06:25 PM on October 18, 2004

OK so how many batters does Mussina brushback/hit in the bottom half. Hmm. . . If Pedro comes back in the seventh and walks one guy he better get replaced, if he even comes out for the seventh. Do ya suppose Jeter has put his "stamp of approval" on this series now?

posted by oicnub4 at 06:26 PM on October 18, 2004

before pedro hit arod mussina may have brushed someone back. but now hitting someone or a brush back could set something off. moose should concentrate on the task at hand now that they're ahead.

posted by goddam at 06:30 PM on October 18, 2004

Good at-bat; used up some pitches, got a good shot at it, but Williams made a nice catch. Sox really need to answer here, the odds of coming back against Gordon and/or Rivera again today are not so good.

posted by hincandenza at 06:30 PM on October 18, 2004

I wonder if Schilling could come out of the bullpen? Not sure of the status of his ankle but hey, it's do or die and the sox pen isn't very deep/rested after last night especially.

posted by oicnub4 at 06:30 PM on October 18, 2004

Why in the world is Varitek hitting right handed?

posted by Bernreuther at 06:31 PM on October 18, 2004

cause he was 4 for something or other against moose and i guess he was trying to mix things up. or something like that.

posted by goddam at 06:37 PM on October 18, 2004

I'd say the odds of coming back are better than usual... they each worked 2 innings yesterday and threw a lot of pitches. Gordon worked the night before too. I hope Moose can get into the 8th. Damn, no more Pedro. I was hoping for another stupid managerial decision.

posted by Bernreuther at 06:37 PM on October 18, 2004

7th stretch and that really looked like a bad lip-synch to me.

posted by oicnub4 at 06:47 PM on October 18, 2004

i don't have a good feeling about this.

posted by goddam at 06:48 PM on October 18, 2004

Is the tv feed messed up or is it just my directv?

posted by oicnub4 at 06:57 PM on October 18, 2004

horrible lip synch. I can't believe he trusts Tanyon Fuckin Sturtze right now more than he trusts Mussina. One not even hard hit double and you pull the guy... great. 30 pitch walk to Cabrera. Well done. Way to go. I have no idea how many times Sturtze has wasted 0-2 counts and walked people this year. And here we go again... into the bullpen far too early, against the best two hitters in the AL, with runners on. Perfect. It's like he's trying to keep the series alive...

posted by Bernreuther at 06:59 PM on October 18, 2004

hanging slider? at 91 mph? Nice Al. Well done. That was a fastball. Gordon hasn't thrown any breaking balls all post season. I don't quite understand why not.

posted by Bernreuther at 07:03 PM on October 18, 2004

NICE

posted by Bernreuther at 07:05 PM on October 18, 2004

i *heart* miggy.

posted by goddam at 07:08 PM on October 18, 2004

Cabrera gets my vote for best slide into second. That was what, a crosscheck? unfortunately for the sox it didn't break up the dbl play and a great opp. has been missed.

posted by oicnub4 at 07:08 PM on October 18, 2004

ok it's official jeter has "stamped" the game. Called that one.

posted by oicnub4 at 07:11 PM on October 18, 2004

McCarver just said something smart! Bunting in that spot is not necessary. Especially with the infield in like that, there was plenty of opportunity for him to get on or make a productive out without guaranteeing one. And the runner was in scoring position already. And there's a strikeout pitcher on the hill, and ARod can K pretty easily, making it a wasted out. And ARod Ks. Great. Bet Jeter wishes he had that out back.

posted by Bernreuther at 07:12 PM on October 18, 2004

the "You use Steroids" chant rises from the crowd.

posted by jerseygirl at 07:13 PM on October 18, 2004

the "You use Steroids" chant rises from the crowd. At least this is more original than the lame-ass "Kevin! Kevin!" chant when Kevin Brown was pitching in game 3. ("Uh, yeah...that's my name, all right...")

posted by lil_brown_bat at 07:21 PM on October 18, 2004

i don't know if i'd call it lame. it's just annoying, which is the point. we do "peeedrooo" at the stadium. it's a standard ballpark chant.

posted by goddam at 07:23 PM on October 18, 2004

(praying)

posted by hincandenza at 07:24 PM on October 18, 2004

They had to make it short and use "Kevin" because "Selfish Wall Punching Hand Breaking Ass" was too wordy of a chant.

posted by jerseygirl at 07:24 PM on October 18, 2004

ORTIZ DID IT AGAIN!

posted by jerseygirl at 07:25 PM on October 18, 2004

Yay! Been nice if he'd come up with someone on, though. :( Wow, if I'd have known that would work, I'd have typed (praying) in every inning! (praying)

posted by hincandenza at 07:25 PM on October 18, 2004

Well season is ending for the red Sox today...see you next year!.

posted by LROD at 07:25 PM on October 18, 2004

Is he watching the same game we are?

posted by hincandenza at 07:26 PM on October 18, 2004

cool. I was waiting for the Yankee fan overconfident prediction. Worked well for LBB last night. oops, no it didn't! :)

posted by jerseygirl at 07:27 PM on October 18, 2004

Did I say Have a good time of Boston fans....

posted by LROD at 07:27 PM on October 18, 2004

shit. i didn't want to have to go to a game tomorrow.

posted by goddam at 07:55 PM on October 18, 2004

Crap

posted by oicnub4 at 08:02 PM on October 18, 2004

Mo better bring the heat or this is gonna be all to do over again tomorrow.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:02 PM on October 18, 2004

That reminded me a little of the yanks game with the twins when jeter tagged jones "out" and was a foot from him. This was a lot closer but was he safe or out?

posted by oicnub4 at 08:04 PM on October 18, 2004

He was out at second. An amazing throw from Posada, and the tag (glove) on the leg was there before the foot reached the bag. The surprising call was that no-swing call from the first base ump. I got a feeling that he sneezed and didn't see the AB.

posted by grum@work at 08:08 PM on October 18, 2004

I missed the start of the game: did this thing begin at 5pm? Or later? Cuz I can't believe they are going to have 3 games in a row of 4 hours or more. That's just fucking nuts. Hopefully they'll realize this is insane and start chopping out one commercial every half-inning AND ditching the "God Bless America" in the 7th.

posted by grum@work at 08:11 PM on October 18, 2004

Side note: I have Arroyo on my fantasy baseball team:

  • End of June - gonna drop him for 2005
  • End of September - gonna keep him for 2005
  • End of Game 3 - gonna drop him for 2005
  • End of this inning - gonna keep him for 2005

posted by grum@work at 08:17 PM on October 18, 2004

GBA in the 7th can go. It should have stayed in New York and only for that year, 2001. The commercials are getting ridiculous. With all the revenue generated we should have better commentators for the games. Yea Heredia!!! Go sox.

posted by oicnub4 at 08:18 PM on October 18, 2004

No way did Ortiz swing!!!!!

posted by oicnub4 at 08:20 PM on October 18, 2004

It's unfortunate how a call can ruin a good game. That was a clear check swing not a cross the plate swing. He11 McCarver even got it right.

posted by oicnub4 at 08:21 PM on October 18, 2004

Now that call is even bigger. If Ortiz had gotten on he would be at third. New reliever, Quantrill. Interesting

posted by oicnub4 at 08:27 PM on October 18, 2004

Go go Godzilla...

posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:35 PM on October 18, 2004

Sit sit Godzilla...

posted by jerseygirl at 08:36 PM on October 18, 2004

Sox don't score. Umps blow the game. This is gonna be like sudden death. Whoever scores the next run, likely wins. Should Arroyo have been pulled?

posted by oicnub4 at 08:36 PM on October 18, 2004

I think pulling Arroyo is OK. You don't know how long he can go and when he breaks down he breaks down quick. Plus every inning is a good chance to win now that Torre has used up his bullpen.

posted by Bryant at 08:42 PM on October 18, 2004

Hahaha...okay, I like this thing with the William Tell Overture.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:46 PM on October 18, 2004

Good point. Why only use Myers for one batter? Hope I can find this on the radio, I have to gopick my son up from work. Sox half of the inning now. Fox just did the most stupid highlight clip I have ever seen. 27 runs in 27 seconds. I wish I had a 100th of the $$$ fox has wasted trying to make this an enjoyable telecast. They are failing miserably.

posted by oicnub4 at 08:48 PM on October 18, 2004

the sox certainly have not made this boring. i'll give them that.

posted by tieguy at 08:50 PM on October 18, 2004

Cause Meyers generally can't do much against right-handers. Embree... they may get another inning out of Embree. And then you have Lowe. Two men on! Ooops, and a very bad bunt.

posted by Bryant at 08:51 PM on October 18, 2004

if you hear of someone having heart failure in the left field bleachers tomorrow night that will be me. (if the game doesn't get rained out.)

posted by goddam at 08:51 PM on October 18, 2004

Worst. Bunt. Ever.

posted by tieguy at 08:52 PM on October 18, 2004

Crap- Damon, you gotta execute on those!!!

posted by hincandenza at 08:52 PM on October 18, 2004

My kingdom for a sacrifice bunt.

posted by dfleming at 08:52 PM on October 18, 2004

Loiza! Loiza! Man, that's a good sign- Loiza is the NYY version of the "Derek Lowe Face".

posted by hincandenza at 08:53 PM on October 18, 2004

WTF was up with the bunt?

posted by jerseygirl at 08:53 PM on October 18, 2004

Oh great, Quantrill hurted himself. Stone the crows,

posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:53 PM on October 18, 2004

loaiza's in. it's over.

posted by goddam at 08:54 PM on October 18, 2004

A good bunt puts men at second and third with one out, which is GREAT. Now... well, Bellhorn is more likely to strike out than hit a double play, which is comforting in an odd kind of a way.

posted by Bryant at 08:55 PM on October 18, 2004

What am I saying? Francona messed with the lineup. I'm going insane.

posted by Bryant at 08:56 PM on October 18, 2004

This is why Boston will never win the World Series again.

posted by dfleming at 08:58 PM on October 18, 2004

WILL SOMEONE JUST WIN THE FUCKING GAME?! I'M GOING TO MISS CSI: MIAMI!

posted by grum@work at 08:58 PM on October 18, 2004

this game will be over in the 12th.

posted by goddam at 08:58 PM on October 18, 2004

Jeez- that fucking figures. Cabrera and Bellhorn have been nightmares- but if Damon gets that bunt down, there is no DP on Cabrera, and we either have a play at the plate or Ramirez and Ortiz coming up with 2 outs and 1st base open. Fuckin' a. Well, it's up to Wakefield- I like Boston's chances with Ramirez and Ortiz in the 12th, but I don't like our chances if we have to come from behind.

posted by hincandenza at 08:59 PM on October 18, 2004

The little kid who can't watch was perfect. How many guys have been left on base tonight? Ugh.....

posted by tieguy at 08:59 PM on October 18, 2004

This fucking sucks. I can't find the Cardinals game on TV anywhere because of this stupid fucking game.

posted by gyc at 08:59 PM on October 18, 2004

Its on FX.

posted by jerseygirl at 09:03 PM on October 18, 2004

Meanwhile, over in Houston, one guy is throwing a no-no through 5, and the other's only given up 1 hit. What a pair of League Championship Series we have!

posted by hincandenza at 09:03 PM on October 18, 2004

This fucking sucks. I can't find the Cardinals game on TV anywhere because of this stupid fucking game. They had a scroller earlier with some fantastically complicated crap about how at 8:42 (no kidding) fans in STL and HOU would be switched to the NLCS game, but other fans in the west could look on FX...and I guess the rest just have to wait. It's in the fifth inning, too.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:03 PM on October 18, 2004

Wakefield! Incidentally, I have 28 seconds as how long before they referenced Aaron Boone at the start of the evening. :) Who had 28 seconds in the pool?

posted by hincandenza at 09:05 PM on October 18, 2004

God bless Wakefield. Hm; the other thing about yanking Arroyo is that you have him to go long innings in game six if necessary. Or alternatively he can still start game seven. And I would be absolutely fine with that.

posted by Bryant at 09:05 PM on October 18, 2004

It's quite possible the NYY/BOS game could start 3.5 hours earlier than the STL/HOU game, and finish after it. The other game is being kind enough not to have any action in it (1 hit vs 0 hits after 4.5 innings) and seems to be waiting until they switch over.

posted by grum@work at 09:07 PM on October 18, 2004

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/gamecast/index?gameId=241018118 Game cast, I have it up to track Bracke/Williams while I'm on the edge of my seat. Here's hoping Loiza can earn himself more love in NYY tonight. :)

posted by hincandenza at 09:07 PM on October 18, 2004

who else would be OK with ortiz ending another game right now? (me.)

posted by tieguy at 09:08 PM on October 18, 2004

ANOTHER blown call involving Jeter!? Does he give great head to the umps or what?!

posted by hincandenza at 09:13 PM on October 18, 2004

HE WAS SAFE! HOLY SHIT! Ortiz stole the base cleanly but the mojo of Jeter convinced the ump that he was out.

posted by grum@work at 09:14 PM on October 18, 2004

hrm, that was not what I had in mind. Damn.

posted by tieguy at 09:14 PM on October 18, 2004

even McCarver didnt side with the Yankees on that one.

posted by jerseygirl at 09:14 PM on October 18, 2004

who else would be OK with ortiz ending another game right now? (me.) Maybe not in this inning. The Foxtards are second-guessing that throw, but the second-base umpire (who had a better view from two feet away than they did from the booth) made a most definite call. No, no, they know better...

posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:14 PM on October 18, 2004

Wow - who knew there was a guy with less baserunning management skills than Grady Little? What is wrong with these people - got a rally? I know, lets kill it with idiotic baserunning.

posted by kokaku at 09:15 PM on October 18, 2004

God damn. I do NOT like tempt the fates by continuing to give the Yankees at-bats. That call KILLED, and it was a blown call. And the ump wasn't in good position- is there a reason he wasn't on the other side of 2nd, where he could see the tag and touching of the base in the same view?

posted by hincandenza at 09:15 PM on October 18, 2004

They do know better, because every camera angle showed he was wrong.

posted by tieguy at 09:15 PM on October 18, 2004

I just made the official replay on JG Tivo. He was safe.

posted by jerseygirl at 09:16 PM on October 18, 2004

kokaku: the sad part is that he won't get fired, because his losses are less spectacular than grady's was.

posted by tieguy at 09:16 PM on October 18, 2004

ok, so i was wrong. it's gonna end in the 13th.

posted by goddam at 09:16 PM on October 18, 2004

It's quite clear in the slow-mo that Ortiz' hand is on the base BEFORE Jeter brushes the his back with his glove. IF the glove actually touched him, that is. Jeter made a great play to get the ball and get down, but his best move was the acting job afterwards.

posted by grum@work at 09:17 PM on October 18, 2004

At this point, I just want a manager who knows how to manage a rally and play small ball properly when necessary. Damon stealing? Damon bunting? Ortiz stealing? All terrible calls.

posted by kokaku at 09:18 PM on October 18, 2004

Prediction: 23rd inning, Derek Jeter is now pitching and the strike zone is the size of Manhattan Island.

posted by grum@work at 09:19 PM on October 18, 2004

Jeezus! Bottom of the 14th, but for those of you who switched to FX to catch a little Houston/St. Louis just missed an AMAZING catch by Carlos Beltran to end the 7th. Bracke looks unreal, and he and Williams have dueling 1 hitters going. Christ!!!

posted by hincandenza at 09:44 PM on October 18, 2004

those who didn't I mean. :)

posted by hincandenza at 09:45 PM on October 18, 2004

The blimp has left the building. The blimp has left the building. (And someone just told me that they turned the Citgo sign off last night?)

posted by tieguy at 09:45 PM on October 18, 2004

My nomination for best Fox line of the night: "We've been here so long, our blimp had to go home."

posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:45 PM on October 18, 2004

Oh, nevermind- Fox just showed it. I think Houston may take this series, and Beltran's gonna rake the $$$ this off-season.

posted by hincandenza at 09:47 PM on October 18, 2004

This is a day game in danger of going into Tuesday. Holy Christ! I can't even swallow any more. Oh sweet jesus...

posted by hincandenza at 09:47 PM on October 18, 2004

The Citgo sign isnt part of the park. It's on a building on Comm Ave. So yeah, I'd guess it would be on a timer of some sort... of course it was like 2 am last night.

posted by jerseygirl at 09:48 PM on October 18, 2004

Oh, I know it's not part of the park; I worked at the landmark center the first three years I was in Boston. I just never really thought about it being, you know, turned off.

posted by tieguy at 09:49 PM on October 18, 2004

sorry, didn't mean to imply anything. not sure who is a Bostonian on here anymore.

posted by jerseygirl at 09:50 PM on October 18, 2004

Here's go manny..........

posted by LROD at 09:50 PM on October 18, 2004

you I guess..

posted by LROD at 09:51 PM on October 18, 2004

I think it might be down for repairs, actually; I was driving down Storrow the other day and caught a glimpse of it and it sure looked like someone had removed the entire face of the thing.

posted by Bryant at 09:51 PM on October 18, 2004

Oh, no problem. I'm sure tons of non-bostonians must think the sign is attached to the Monster or something :)

posted by tieguy at 09:52 PM on October 18, 2004

Oh, I know it's not part of the park; I worked at the landmark center the first three years I was in Boston. I just never really thought about it being, you know, turned off. Never did that horrible 3 am breakfast at Deli Haus, huh? ;-) If this goes on another inning or two, I bet the Yankees are gonna throw the game, just so they can get some sleep.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:52 PM on October 18, 2004

Can Ortiz hit two game winners in a row? I don't think so, but then what do I know.

posted by billsaysthis at 09:54 PM on October 18, 2004

And here goes ORTIZ

posted by LROD at 09:55 PM on October 18, 2004

February 13th, 2051 Fenway Park, Boston The 603,744th inning of Game 5 of the 2004 ALCS completed tonight, still tied at 11. For those following at home, nobody has scored in this game for the past fifteen years. Before that, it looked like the Yankees would take it and meet the Houston Astros in the World Series when Robert Sheffield hit a two-run homer in the top of the 451,560th inning, but a 64-year-old Manny hit his own two-run bomb to answer in the bottom of the inning. Now dead, Manny can't help his team. The only player who started the game who's still alive is Derek Jeter, who has managed to play every single inning and reach in every at-bat in innings 513,764-513,989. Unfortunately, none of the Yankees were able to hit him home. Commissioner RoboSelig has drawn some criticism by not calling the game, but has repeatedly cited the 2002 All-Star game as an excuse not to end a game early.

posted by rocketman at 09:55 PM on October 18, 2004

The Yankees are tempting fate with Ortiz coming up so often- not saying the guy is blessed, but geez- he's like Henderson in '86!

posted by hincandenza at 09:55 PM on October 18, 2004

A little bit fatter...

posted by LROD at 09:56 PM on October 18, 2004

LOL, rocketman, LOL

posted by billsaysthis at 09:56 PM on October 18, 2004

Its sad that the NLCS game has a chance of ending before this one does.

posted by jerseygirl at 09:59 PM on October 18, 2004

I guess he can. Oh well.

posted by billsaysthis at 10:00 PM on October 18, 2004

Okay, so I was wrong.

posted by rocketman at 10:00 PM on October 18, 2004

ORTIZ!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted by hincandenza at 10:00 PM on October 18, 2004

AW YEAH ORTIZ BABY!

posted by Bryant at 10:00 PM on October 18, 2004

*yawn* g'night. See you in New York.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:00 PM on October 18, 2004

Otiz is trying to get series mvp!!

posted by oicnub4 at 10:00 PM on October 18, 2004

HE FUCKING DID IT AGAIN!

posted by jerseygirl at 10:00 PM on October 18, 2004

Well, it was a fight see you in yankee land.......

posted by LROD at 10:01 PM on October 18, 2004

Aw yeah! Bed! But it's a 0-0 tie in Houston. My name is Kokaku, and I'm an addict.

posted by kokaku at 10:04 PM on October 18, 2004

See y'all down south. If I were a Yankees fan, I wouldn't be sweating yet.

posted by Bryant at 10:04 PM on October 18, 2004

oicnub4- trying? Hell, even if the Yankees win he ought to be Series MVP!


UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!

posted by hincandenza at 10:05 PM on October 18, 2004

So, at this point there can't be too many pitchers left on either team that will be available for relief tomorrow. Lieber and Schilling are pretty much going to have to throw 8 innings, regardless of how well they do. I'm thinking the over/under for total runs will be 14.5.

posted by grum@work at 10:06 PM on October 18, 2004

Yeah, my crystal ball tells me there will be a metric ass ton of runs scored tomorrow. I can't wait.

posted by rocketman at 10:07 PM on October 18, 2004

I honestly forgot Pedro started this game. Hope Schill's ankle can hold up for even five innings.

posted by tieguy at 10:08 PM on October 18, 2004

*yawn* g'night. See you in New York. I call complete and total bs. Yawn, indeed. /exhales

posted by yerfatma at 10:08 PM on October 18, 2004

For the record, I'm fully aware the Sox only win to make it more painful. But still . . . who needs a healthy ticker what with the advances in artifical hearts they're making. I could switch to a baboon one in a decade or two and get a lot more baseball in. 'Course I'd have to start rooting for New York, but it's a small price to pay. I'm kid because I'm wired to the moon.

posted by yerfatma at 10:10 PM on October 18, 2004

eh, so i was off an inning. this is where is expected them to be. 3-2. i just didn't expect them to be 3-0 first. it's raining here now and it's supposed to rain all day tomorrow. so i don't know if there will even be a game. bryant, i'm not sweating yet. but i am feeling a bit uneasy. then again, i've felt uneasy since moose's perfecto got broken up in game 1. and l_b_b, please stay off the game threads. you're bringing the yanks bad mojo :-)

posted by goddam at 10:10 PM on October 18, 2004

I think she meant yawn as in "another 5 hour plus game", not yawn as in "that was not some of the most exciting baseball I've ever seen".

posted by hincandenza at 10:10 PM on October 18, 2004

Schilling?, who is that guy?...the one that the yankees gave 5 runs last time....

posted by LROD at 10:11 PM on October 18, 2004

Welp, on the Sox... Leskanic can pitch. Embree should be able to pitch. Lowe could pitch. Timlin and Foulke are sort of possible, but I hope they don't need to. Oh, and Myers can do the usual one batter as needed. I think we'll see Lowe as the closer tomorrow night, though. Now, the Yankees... they have problems in the bullpen. Somewhat worse than the Red Sox. But the Red Sox still gotta get past the deadly heart of the Yankees lineup.

posted by Bryant at 10:12 PM on October 18, 2004

As long as I'm musing... the Red Sox have a much better backup catcher. Wouldn't surprise me if Mirabelli shows up around mid-game to provide a well-rested bat.

posted by Bryant at 10:14 PM on October 18, 2004

they gotta test schilling's ankle early. jeter should bunt on the first pitch.

posted by goddam at 10:15 PM on October 18, 2004

they gotta test schilling's ankle early. jeter should bunt on the first pitch. Actually, that's really good advice.

posted by dusted at 10:17 PM on October 18, 2004

Schilling reminds me of Pedro Martinez last year......

posted by LROD at 10:17 PM on October 18, 2004

Hm. Yeah, as a Red Sox fan, if Schilling pitches as well tomorrow as Pedro pitched through seven innings in game seven of last year -- I'd take that. Thanks for the good wishes, LROD!

posted by Bryant at 10:18 PM on October 18, 2004

"It doesn't matter if I play with one leg, I still can take care of the yankees". Says Shilling.

posted by LROD at 10:19 PM on October 18, 2004

ok. lrod and l_b_b are banned from game threads. damn i thought we'd be ok now that jbou hasn't been around. and where are the acheson's? we need more yankee fans here dammit!

posted by goddam at 10:22 PM on October 18, 2004

I love shilling, that is the kind of attitute that got him through the first game.

posted by LROD at 10:23 PM on October 18, 2004

Bloody Houston.

posted by DrJohnEvans at 10:24 PM on October 18, 2004

Hey goddam, Yankess forever remember... Lets go yanks!

posted by LROD at 10:25 PM on October 18, 2004

Don't be mistaken body....

posted by LROD at 10:25 PM on October 18, 2004

Best. Playoffs. Ever.

posted by rocketman at 10:26 PM on October 18, 2004

fucking walks will fucking kill you. Every fucking time. What a waste of my fucking night. (fuck.)

posted by Bernreuther at 10:29 PM on October 18, 2004

Wow- just a week ago, both Houston and Boston were being written off for dead, even by the likes of me, bandwagon-jumper-offer-extraordinaire. Not that either have won anything yet, but they've made these two of the most nailbiting, tense LCS series I've ever witnessed.

posted by hincandenza at 10:33 PM on October 18, 2004

I'd even posit that the Astros are now in control. It'll be a goddamn shame if the ALCS doesn't go 7 games. This is so much fun.

posted by rocketman at 10:37 PM on October 18, 2004

So... is Rivera even available to pitch tomorrow? It would seem to me that the Yankees don't have anyone to relieve Lieber.

posted by rocketman at 10:46 PM on October 18, 2004

I doubt Rivera is available; he has looked nearly mortal the last two games, and they said it was the first time he'd ever been asked to do pitch two innings in back-to-back games. For a team going home, and who looked unbeatable for three games, the Yanks sure did want to put a stake in the Sox. Then again, it's not like Foulke is going to be well rested tomorrow either. No one will be. First guy to fall asleep in the outfield gets the booby prize.

posted by tieguy at 11:22 PM on October 18, 2004

well, i just heard 50% chance of rain tomorrow. both teams could use the night off. but i doubt the baseball gods will let that happen. so i'll be freezing my ass off, taking more pictures and it will hopefully be worth it. shit, what am i saying. of course it will be worth it. i just hope the outcome is favorable. if not, oh well. i won't be happy by any means (cause i'd like to be celebrating my birthday by watching the yanks in game 1 of the w.s.) but i wouldn't be surprised either. i know that one of these days the red sox will get there and they'll go through the yankees to do it. i just pray to god that this isn't the year.

posted by goddam at 11:23 PM on October 18, 2004

Red Sox fans: If winning this series against the Yankees (coming from 0-3 to win 4-3) meant you couldn't win the World Series this year or the next five years, would you make that trade? I think at least 75% of the Red Sox Nation would go for it.

posted by grum@work at 12:47 AM on October 19, 2004

I would absolutely take that trade. Not to be petty, but I would love to see Arod cry.

posted by Joey Michaels at 04:50 AM on October 19, 2004

Can I just say that I watched my first bit of a baseball game yesterday? I was in a Sports Cafe with some friends from the British Paralympic team in Haymarket in London after the Olympic/Paralymic parade thing. This game was on the TV (I think it was this one). How many of the Sox batting men have ridiculous hair?

posted by JJ at 05:55 AM on October 19, 2004

you couldn't win the World Series this year or the next five years, would you make that trade? No way. As one of the idiots who said it wouldn't be the same if we had to play the Twins, let me say "No f'ing way." I'd like to see the Sox beat the Yankees, but the important thing is to win, not show someone else up. Like the BSG said, "I'm not looking for degree of difficulty here." 5 years? No thanks. How many of the Sox batting men have ridiculous hair? Don't sleep on the pitchers, either. You've got Pedro, Arroyo and Leskanic at least. (The answer to the batting question is, "It depends on your definition." You've got Manny and Damon fer sure, Bellhorn is pretty '70s, Millar can be on the list but is fairly tame right now . . . who am I missing)

posted by yerfatma at 06:12 AM on October 19, 2004

I think she meant yawn as in "another 5 hour plus game", not yawn as in "that was not some of the most exciting baseball I've ever seen". Correct, and cuz I knew I was going to have to be up at six. Goddam, I won't promise to stay off the thread, but I will promise not to predict. Good enough? ;-) Any thoughts about who, if anybody, would be favored by a rain cancellation? (aside from the fans)

posted by lil_brown_bat at 06:14 AM on October 19, 2004

Probably the Yanks. Although it would give Schilling's ankle another day to rest, which is a win for the Sox. But right now I'd take the Sox bullpen against the Yankees bullpen, and an off day might tilt that back towards the Yankees.

posted by Bryant at 07:05 AM on October 19, 2004

Agreed that it favors the Yanks. Desperation is making the Sox bullpen awful flexible, and I'd like to continue that- I have no idea who starts game 7, but after last night, I'd be comfortable tonight with even 4 decent innings from schilling plus arroyo, wakefield, and foulke.

posted by tieguy at 07:29 AM on October 19, 2004

fair enough l_b_b :-) a rainout could help slow up any momentum the sox have going right now. i heard lieber likes to pitch in the cold so getting the game in tonight would be in to his advantage (supposed to be in the 40s). i'm not sure another day will help schilling's ankle any. i went to my podiatrist this morning and he said from the way they described his injury he can't see him being very effective. so if dr. perlman says it, it's good enough for me. (i still can't be overly-optimistic though)

posted by goddam at 07:39 AM on October 19, 2004

Yeah, I would think a rain delay helps the both bullpens and stops the Sox momentum. Given the Yankees 'pen is way better at the top couple of spots, I think rain is advantage Yanks.

posted by yerfatma at 08:05 AM on October 19, 2004

I have to believe that Gordon and Rivera are NOT available for tonights game. They've been overworked already, and in Gordon's case I can't see where even a desperate Torre would use him 4 days in a row. I expect to see lots of Tanyon Sturtze, which is a good thing for the Red Sox.

posted by grum@work at 11:38 AM on October 19, 2004

a rainout could help slow up any momentum the sox have going right now. Actually a day off would give us time to get Johnny D to a shrink...

posted by BoSoxFan at 01:53 PM on October 19, 2004

Looks like the over/under on the number of times Fox will show an intense closeup of Schilling's revolutionary "high-top" shoe in Game 6 is 2,630. Any takers?

posted by DrJohnEvans at 02:53 PM on October 19, 2004

so, have they improved upon the design of this high-top shoe since buckner wore his? the weather is holding up as of now. some occasional light rain. it's kind of cold though. and it's only gonna get fucking colder.

posted by goddam at 03:23 PM on October 19, 2004

have they improved upon the design of this high-top shoe since buckner wore his? Yeah, Bob Ryan mentioned that exact thing in an otherwise fine column today. At least he throws in a Johnny U reference to balance it out, but Johnny Unitas didn't play for the Sox. Hopefully they'll remember to bring in Dave Stapleton tonight.

posted by yerfatma at 03:37 PM on October 19, 2004

have they improved upon the design of this high-top shoe since buckner wore his? This was just taken of his warmup...

posted by BoSoxFan at 04:27 PM on October 19, 2004

It looks like Mad Max's boot!

posted by lil_brown_bat at 05:41 PM on October 19, 2004

Good one, BoSoxFan! It's a joke, right?

posted by dusted at 06:48 PM on October 19, 2004

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