Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
September 18, 2006
Keep Hope Alive

The Boston Red Sox swept a double header from the Yankees yesterday, preventing New York from clinching the AL East and reducing the Yankees lead to single digits at 9 1/2 games. David Ortiz hit his 49th home run in game one, leaving him one shy of the Red Sox record of 50. The difference in the games were the bullpens, however. The Yankees received two solid starts; both Wright and Mussina pitched six innings, allowing two runs. Mussina was in control, walking one and striking out seven. But the Yankees bullpen was not up to the task yesterday. In game one, Ron Villone allowed four runs in one inning of work, walking three batters. In game two, three innings by three relievers resulted in three runs. In six innings, the Yankees' bullpen allowed seven runs yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox pen was given more work with stellar results. The Boston relievers pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing just one run and picking up two wins and two saves for Mike Timlin. They walked fewer in two games (2) than Villone did in his inning.

Taking three of four from the Yankees leaves the Red Sox 7 1/2 games out in the Wild Card race as they host a three game series with Minnesota on Tuesday. It's do or die time for Boston.


Posted by David Pinto at 07:26 AM | Division Races | TrackBack (0)
Comments

The Sox aren't going to win, unfortunately. But you know what, I feel as though they have at least salvaged a little dignity this past weekend. Silly, I know, but these guys did give me some small sense of satisfaction that the Yanks weren't going to clinch against them if they could help it.
One bad month. Wow.
I wonder what will happen next year?

Posted by: Steve M at September 18, 2006 12:41 PM

What does this series say about the Yankees' pitching staff heading into the postseason? They had their top three starters going against the Red Sox' quad-A castoffs, and they lost three out of four. The Yanks are now the trendy pick for the World Series, but with those pitchers, I don't know.

Yes, I realize Mariano is being held out because they have the division title wrapped up. But if their starters don't go deep -- something they have not done consistently -- the Yanks could have a lot of trouble in the 6th, 7th and 8th innings.

Posted by: johnw at September 18, 2006 03:47 PM

I know you did not just write that the YANKEES are a trendy pick for the world series.

Posted by: chris at September 18, 2006 04:05 PM

Chris..he sure did..jeebus christ in a speedo..wtf is wrong w/that guy?

Posted by: Dusty at September 18, 2006 04:37 PM

Sorry if I offended anyone. Here's what I meant: At the start of the year, the Yankees were thought to be a lock for the playoffs at least. Then the injuries hit, their rotation was full of aging or ineffective pitchers, and they looked a lot more questionable. But they survived the injuries, their starting pitching stabilized, their injured players started to return, and now they're coasting to a divisional title.

And yes, they are the trendy pick for the World Series. A lot trendier now than in May, June or July, for sure. If you go back to midseason, I doubt there was anything like a consensus on the likely world champion.

So I stand by my statement. Go ahead and "wtf" me again if you like. Or maybe you'd like to say something more temperate this time.

Posted by: johnw at September 18, 2006 04:48 PM
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