I just found this interesting, perhaps I’m the only one - but going into this past weekend’s three-game series in Detroit, the Sox starters were to be Julian Tavarez, Kasan Gabbard, and Dice-K. Based purely on name recognition, one would figure the Sox would have their best chance with Dice-K, might get lucky with Tavarez, and had no prayer with Gabbard.
Just finished watching Gary Sheffield in the Boston-Detroit series. This just in: He’s still good. I wonder if he might get into Cooperstown *without* a ticket (more on that in a moment). I’m watching him swing the bat, and I’m watching JD Drew swing the bat, and I’m thinking… I see why the Yankees picked up his option rather than risk the possibility that he ends up in Boston. Now JD Drew is a much better defensive player than Sheffield, especially at this point - but considering that the Sox are paying Drew $14.5 million to produce 258/368/391–759 OPS… I’m thinking that the $10.9 million for a 303/410/560–970 OPS from the defensively-challenged Sheffield would’ve helped this Red Sox team more overall. But maybe that’s just me.
Seems like a good deal for the White Sox, considering Buerhle’s ability, track record, (lack of meaningful) injury history and age - as well as the FA pitching market this past offseason:
I need some help on this… is Boston/New England the *only* area where at least half the callers to sportstalk radio shows are complete morons?
Do yourselves a favor, and remember that name: Jacoby Ellsbury.
I didn’t catch the game, but I see where the Vikings beat the Bears 20-14 last night. No, it’s not a regular season game, but Tank can take some solace in a Vikings victory, even if the game doesn’t actually count. After all, if you’re the Vikings, you take the…
Wait, NFL training camps don’t open for another couple weeks. Oops. That was a *baseball* score. Wow. Hope none of you had Jon Garland going for your FF team last night. His line: 3.1 IP, 11 ER.
The “winning” pitcher’s line? 5.0 IP, 7ER. For comparison’s sake, Julian Tavarez’s line last night (in a loss, shockingly): 4.2 IP, 8ER.
Okay, okay… I took the time to rant and rave when Julian Tavarez went on a little winning streak - so I must take equal time to acknowledge his performance when he (inevitably) regresses to the mean and goes on a little losing streak.
He was horrible last night in Detroit and deserved to lose. I’m not sure he deserved to lose the previous two in that he pitched well (especially the Texas game) but didn’t get run (and fielding) support - but then the Sox have won a couple he’s started simply because they did give him extra run (and fielding) support.
He’s a .500 pitcher, capable of some good outings as well as some stinkers. As a sinkerballer, he needs good infield defense behind him - and as a guy who will give up hits (and runs), he needs run support like Beckett gets to have a winning record.
Okay. I still think he’s done a very good job this year, given the givens.
We’ve already discussed it, but figured I’d pass on this link from a blog recommended by Rob Neyer:
http://shysterball.blogspot.com/2007/07/more-hooey-about-blacks-and-baseball.html
He covers many of things we discussed, but seems to sum it up far more concisely than we… well, er, I did. Plus, nice touch with the Robert Fick/Jiffy Lube point.