Red Sox have Yankees number?? (Boston, Lowell: cost, law, design)

[jjjbcc]

looks like the Sox have more Passion and Will to WIN...
Do You think Yankees Can Develope more Passion and Will?
or will the Red Sox Dominate the Rivalry..?

[izannimda]

New England Patriots
18 wins
1 GIANT loss

[ogre]

I've been a Sox fan for years, way too long for a couple of championships to break down all the years of developing the habit of expecting the big collapse to come when things seem to be going well. While I admit that the experience of being a longtime Sox fan has skewed my perception, it does make sense to be cautious in one's optimism. Right NOW things are going well, but what will happen tonight, or in September or October, remains to be seen.

I believe that part of the reason for the early success against the enemy from the Bronx is that, despite all the big spending the enemy did over the winter, the Sox have gone into the season as still the better team. It doesn't hurt either that the Sox now have excellent management, while the enemy's front office seems to be in disarray. Still, a rash of injuries could come along at any time and knock the Sox right out of contention, even if they reach the point where they start looking like clearly the best team. In other words, '06 could happen again. Enjoy it for now (I know I've been enjoying it), but let's not get too carried away with the idea that anything has really been decided at this point.

[lrfox]

Right. It's way too early to tell just yet. As I'm typing this, the Sox lead 6-3 with 1 down and the bases loaded in the top of the 9th. I'm still worried about the bottom half of the inning. I always come to expect something bad to happen when we play the Yankees as it has too often in the past.

As ogre mentioned, it's soooo early. We just don't know what could happen. You also have to keep in mind that the Yankees are without their best hitter, have an unhealthy "ace" (Wang) and their best reliever is starting games (Joba). Sure, the Red Sox have their problems (surprisingly weak starts from the pitchers, Ortiz, etc) and quite frankly, I'm surprised they have the record they do right now; but I think the teams will be more evenly matched down the stretch (I still think the Sox as constituted now are better). Mid season trades, injuries, etc can all change things.

I personally believe in the law of averages. If a hitter starts off hitting .600, they'll go through a few slumps and come down to earth. Even the best pitchers give up hits, etc. These teams play each other 19 times. We've played 5 so far (still in the 5th, actually) and the Sox have been strong. I bet that after the 19th game, the record between the two teams will be a bit closer.

Now, if you want to talk about a team "having someone's number" what about the Rays?! They have beaten the crap out of the Sox so far. What a turn around from when the Rays used to be the designated "slump busters" for other teams. They have our number in the early going.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by lrfox

As ogre mentioned, it's soooo early. We just don't know what could happen. You also have to keep in mind that the Yankees are without their best hitter, have an unhealthy "ace" (Wang) and their best reliever is starting games (Joba). Sure, the Red Sox have their problems (surprisingly weak starts from the pitchers, Ortiz, etc) and quite frankly, I'm surprised they have the record they do right now; but I think the teams will be more evenly matched down the stretch (I still think the Sox as constituted now are better). Mid season trades, injuries, etc can all change things.

I personally believe in the law of averages. If a hitter starts off hitting .600, they'll go through a few slumps and come down to earth. Even the best pitchers give up hits, etc. These teams play each other 19 times. We've played 5 so far (still in the 5th, actually) and the Sox have been strong. I bet that after the 19th game, the record between the two teams will be a bit closer.

Now, if you want to talk about a team "having someone's number" what about the Rays?! They have beaten the crap out of the Sox so far. What a turn around from when the Rays used to be the designated "slump busters" for other teams. They have our number in the early going.

Agreed. I was at Yankee Stadium (the old one) on a Tuesday night at the end of April 2004. The Sox had just swept the Yankees after taking 3 of 4 at Fenway, the Yankees were 8-11, Jeter was 0-for-28 and being booed, and the local and national media were wondering what was wrong with the Yankees. After a day off, the Yankees were trailing Oakland 8-4 in the 8th and then erupted for six runs to win the game. It was the first of 8 straight wins for them and by July 1 they were 50-26 and 8.5 up on the Sox. Of course, that season ended well for us, but the point is that teams can snap out of funks and go on tears, and it's way too early to conclude that they're done, although I think they have major holes: (1) Bullpen; (2) poor defense for the most part; (3) old and injury-prone; (4) poor chemistry. Still, odds are the Yankees will be back at some point this year; they always seem to turn it on as the year goes along. Remember 2007 when they almost closed the gap after being 15 out?

The Sox have also had their issues, as you say. The bullpen, Wakefield, Youkilis, Bay and Lowell have done a lot to cover up the weaknesses. The Sox are only 12-10 against teams not from the Bronx, but by the same token they are 15-5 against teams not named Tampa Bay. Last year and so far this year the Rays seem to come out just a little bit ahead, but this year it's really frustrating because Tampa is not beating anyone but Boston. Tampa also has a good team, though, and they'll be in the mix.

It will be a big problem if Ortiz doesn't turn it around, but what on earth is wrong with Beckett? Even last night, he couldn't avoid the one rough inning (or maybe just one bad pitch to Damon) that almost cost them the lead.

[jjjbcc]

Originally Posted by izannimda

New England Patriots
18 wins
1 GIANT loss

great win for the city of new tork sports..

[maggiekate]

Just saw the 9th inning Tampa Bay, and the Red Sox, Tampa really went to town on this game!
Seems for being dead last for many seasons, they beat Boston, and N.Y. without a problem?

[jjjbcc]

I see Tampa is going to be tough all year long good young nucleaus..
the key to them is health and they need to beat the lesser teams The teams they need to beat the ones with the low records..

[jjjbcc]

Originally Posted by holden125

Agreed. I was at Yankee Stadium (the old one) on a Tuesday night at the end of April 2004. The Sox had just swept the Yankees after taking 3 of 4 at Fenway, the Yankees were 8-11, Jeter was 0-for-28 and being booed, and the local and national media were wondering what was wrong with the Yankees. After a day off, the Yankees were trailing Oakland 8-4 in the 8th and then erupted for six runs to win the game. It was the first of 8 straight wins for them and by July 1 they were 50-26 and 8.5 up on the Sox. Of course, that season ended well for us, but the point is that teams can snap out of funks and go on tears, and it's way too early to conclude that they're done, although I think they have major holes: (1) Bullpen; (2) poor defense for the most part; (3) old and injury-prone; (4) poor chemistry. Still, odds are the Yankees will be back at some point this year; they always seem to turn it on as the year goes along. Remember 2007 when they almost closed the gap after being 15 out?

The Sox have also had their issues, as you say. The bullpen, Wakefield, Youkilis, Bay and Lowell have done a lot to cover up the weaknesses. The Sox are only 12-10 against teams not from the Bronx, but by the same token they are 15-5 against teams not named Tampa Bay. Last year and so far this year the Rays seem to come out just a little bit ahead, but this year it's really frustrating because Tampa is not beating anyone but Boston. Tampa also has a good team, though, and they'll be in the mix.

It will be a big problem if Ortiz doesn't turn it around, but what on earth is wrong with Beckett? Even last night, he couldn't avoid the one rough inning (or maybe just one bad pitch to Damon) that almost cost them the lead.

( becket is a champion they need dice K Big Papi healthy)

[jjjbcc]

Originally Posted by ogre

I've been a Sox fan for years, way too long for a couple of championships to break down all the years of developing the habit of expecting the big collapse to come when things seem to be going well. While I admit that the experience of being a longtime Sox fan has skewed my perception, it does make sense to be cautious in one's optimism. Right NOW things are going well, but what will happen tonight, or in September or October, remains to be seen.

I believe that part of the reason for the early success against the enemy from the Bronx is that, despite all the big spending the enemy did over the winter, the Sox have gone into the season as still the better team. It doesn't hurt either that the Sox now have excellent management, while the enemy's front office seems to be in disarray. Still, a rash of injuries could come along at any time and knock the Sox right out of contention, even if they reach the point where they start looking like clearly the best team. In other words, '06 could happen again. Enjoy it for now (I know I've been enjoying it), but let's not get too carried away with the idea that anything has really been decided at this point.

(we have yet to see what A-rod brings to the team the newteam needs time to Gel pitching and chemistry Time will tell!!