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| Pedroia hitless again | Sunday 10/5, 11:57 PM CT |
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Dustin Pedroia went 0-for-5 on Sunday night and is now, amazingly, 0-for-13 through three games.
Our View: Pedroia hit the ball hard on this night, but the ball just kept finding Angels gloves. The second leading hitter in the American League during the regular season (.326) will eventually turn this slump around, you can bet on it. |
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| Ellsbury knocks in three runs | Sunday 10/5, 11:55 PM CT |
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Jacoby Ellsbury had a big night at the plate going 2-for-5 with a run scored and three RBI for the Sox. He also had second base stolen before sliding over the bag and being tagged out by Erik Aybar.
Our View: Ellsbury has looked good at the plate hitting .429, and continues to be a positive influence at the top of the Sox order despite making the occasional mistake (such as sliding past second on that steal attempt). |
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| Weaver victorious out of bullpen | Sunday 10/5, 11:53 PM CT |
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Jered Weaver worked the final two innings in relief on Sunday night to lead the Angels to a 5-4, 12 inning victory over the Red Sox to force a Game 4.
Our View: Weaver looked strong in the unfamiliar role of working out of the pen, and after a 5:19 minute game, the longest in ALDS history, the two teams will do it all over against less than 20 hours from this posting. |
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| Napoli goes deep twice | Sunday 10/5, 11:50 PM CT |
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Mike Napoli took Josh Beckett deep twice on Sunday night as the big bat in the Angels 5-4, 12 inning victory over the Red Sox. On the night, he went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and three RBI.
Our View: Napoli blasted both his shots over the Green Monster on this night, and dating back to the start of the 2008 campaign he has 22 home runs in just 236 AB which would equate to a total of 47 in 500 AB. That our friends is some serious slugging. |
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| Shields masterful in relief | Sunday 10/5, 11:40 PM CT |
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Scot Shields was dominating in 2.1 innings of relief pitching as he held the Red Sox of the scoreboard while striking out three.
Our View: Shields was particularly nasty on this night as he seemingly turned back the clock a couple of seasons throwing 94 mph darts along with his devastatingly tight curveball. |
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| Saunders done in by defense | Sunday 10/5, 11:38 PM CT |
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Joe Saunders allowed four runs on five hits and four walks while lasting just 4.2 innings in a no-decision in Game 3 against the Red Sox.
Our View: While the line looks poor, three runs scored on a catchable ball that dropped between Howie Kendrick and Torii Hunter in an embarrassing display of defense. Saunders deserved better than he got on this night. |
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| Beckett struggles in no-decision | Sunday 10/5, 11:36 PM CT |
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Josh Beckett needed 106 pitches to make it through five uneven innings against the Angels in Game 3. Beckett ended his night after allowing four runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out six in a no-decision.
Our View: An old bugaboo came up again tonight as Beckett was taken deep twice by Mike Napoli. Beckett was testy with the umpire and clearly upset with himself as he failed to live up to his huge playoff reputation on this night. |
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| Pena back on field | Sunday 10/5, 7:42 PM CT |
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Carlos Pena returned to the lineup for Game 3 after missing most of Game 1 and all of Game 2 because of a scratched cornea. Pena hit third and went 2-for-5.
Our View: Pena is very important to the Rays offense as their biggest power bat other than rookie Evan Longoria, and his return can't do anything but help a club that is on the brink of advancing to the American League Championship series. |
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| Upton hits home run | Sunday 10/5, 7:40 PM CT |
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B.J. Upton hit his first post-season home run, a two run shot, in the Rays Game 3 loss to the White Sox.
Our View: Upton hit only nine long balls during the course of the season because of his injured shoulder, but on this day he got his pitch and didn't miss it. |
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| Wise has all-around outing | Sunday 10/5, 7:38 PM CT |
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Dewayne Wise had a hit, scored a run, stole a base and knocked in two batters in the White Sox 5-3 victory in Game 3.
Our View: Wise has been a key member of what the Sox are trying to do in the absence of slugger Carlos Quentin as he has infused the lineup with some speed, a little bit of defense, and the ability to play "small ball" to help the club score runs. |
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| Jenks picks up save | Sunday 10/5, 7:34 PM CT |
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Bobby Jenks picked up his first save of the post-season on Sunday as the White Sox defeated the Rays 5-3.
Our View: Jenks was throwing hard and meant business from the first pitch despite that terrible looking goatee. Look for him to be in the game late if the score is close as the Sox will need to win the next two games to move on. |
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| Garza fails to shut down Sox | Sunday 10/5, 7:31 PM CT |
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Matt Garza, pitching on eight days rest, was throwing gas reaching the mid 90's with most his fastballs, but it wasn't enough as he fell to White Sox after permitting seven hits, four walks and five runs in six innings of work.
Our View: Garza was popping the catchers mitt but his control was just off as he failed to make that one pitch when the situation called for it. The Rays still lead the series two games to one, and will turn to Andy Sonnanstine to clinch the matchup in Game 4. |
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| Danks defeats Rays | Sunday 10/5, 7:28 PM CT |
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John Danks allowed three runs over 6.2 innings against the Rays to lead the Sox to a 5-3 victory in Game 3. Danks gave up seven hits and three walks in the outing, though he also struck out seven batters.
Our View: Over his last two must win appearances the young lefty is 2-0 with a 1.84 ERA. Danks may or may not pitch again this post-season, but he has clearly shown that he has the heart of a winner which is something to keep in mind for next season. |
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| Figgins to stir pot | Sunday 10/5, 6:15 PM CT |
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Chone Figgins will look to stir things up for the Angels in their attempt to extend their season with a victory against the Red Sox in Game 3 of the ALDS, according to MLB.com.
Our View: Mark Teixeira, Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter are hitting .609 through two games while the rest of the offense is a sickly 6-for-50 (.120). If Figgins and the others in the lineup don't get going, it will be a long night against Josh Beckett and the Sox. |
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| Lowell in for Game 3 | Sunday 10/5, 5:04 PM CT |
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Mike Lowell (hip) will be in the starting lineup for the Red Sox for Game 3 of their ALDS matchup with the Angels, according to the Seattle Post Intelligencer.
Our View: Lowell has been bothered, especially in the field, by his ailing hip. Reports are that he feels good so he will return to the lineup to see if his body is strong enough to allow him to contribute. |
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| Drew out for Game 3 | Sunday 10/5, 5:02 PM CT |
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J.D. Drew will not play in Game 3 against the Angels on Sunday night because of his sore back, according to the Seattle Post Intelligencer. "J.D. is physically doing pretty well," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "I know normally you get to this time of year and you send eight or nine guys out there and just stay with it. I don't know that, the way we're built right now, that's the best way to do it."
Our View: Drew hit the big game winning home run off of Francisco Rodriguez in Game 2, but he played in only two of the Red Sox last 38 regular season games because of his ailing back. Hopefully he will be back in the lineup for the Red Sox next playoff game. |
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| Tigers not interested in K-Rod | Sunday 10/5, 3:36 PM CT |
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Tigers team president and GM Dave Dombowski has all but ruled out signing Francisco Rodriguez this off-season, the Detroit News reports.
Our View: The paper mentioned that the team could go after Brian Fuentes, but K-Rod seems a bit too expensive for Detroit's liking. |
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| Santiago could be regular in '09 | Sunday 10/5, 3:32 PM CT |
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The Detroit News speculates that the Tigers could go with Ramon Santiago at shortstop next season until prospect Cale Iorg is ready to contribute.
Our View: It still seems very early to be speculating, but Edgar Renteria has probably played his last game for the team. |
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| Griffey wants to play three more years | Sunday 10/5, 2:55 PM CT |
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Ken Griffey Jr. told Chicago writers that he would like to play three more seasons, according to the New York Times.
Our View: Griffey has 611 career home runs, and with his recent pace, getting to 700 homers seems highly unlikely. |
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| Lugo could be traded | Sunday 10/5, 9:14 AM CT |
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According to the Boston Globe, the Red Sox will try to move Julio Lugo this off-season.
Our View: This is not surprising considering the emergence of Jed Lowrie. The Red Sox would probably have to pick up some salary to move the high-priced shortstop, but there will probably be several teams interested. |
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| Gathright shows no power in 2008 | Sunday 10/5, 9:10 AM CT |
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The Boston Globe points out that Joey Gathright had only three doubles in 279 at-bats in 2008.
Our View: Gathright is a slap hitter, but his 2008 season was a bit extreme with a pitiful .272 slugging percentage. Despite his great speed and defense, Gathright could have a tough time sticking around in the majors if he continues to hit so poorly. |
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| K-Rod has many options in off-season | Sunday 10/5, 8:56 AM CT |
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According to the Boston Globe, Milwaukee, Detroit, St. Louis the Mets, Tampa Bay, Arizona and Cleveland could be possible destinations for pending free agent Francisco Rodriguez. The Mets could be concerned with his drop in velocity this season, however.
Our View: While it is unclear where K-Rod is headed, one thing is for sure: He is in for a huge payday after breaking the saves record. |
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| Kendrick could shift to first base in '09 | Sunday 10/5, 8:52 AM CT |
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According to the Boston Globe, Howie Kendrick could move to first base next season if Mark Teixeira departs via free agency.
Our View: Kendrick is an asset offensively as a second baseman, but he would make for a very weak first baseman. It seems unlikely that the big-budget Angels would settle for Kendrick, especially considering their need for more pop. |
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| Arredondo to replace K-Rod in '09? | Sunday 10/5, 8:50 AM CT |
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The Boston Globe points to Jose Arredondo as a possible replacement at closer for Francisco Rodriguez, who is a pending free agent.
Our View: Arredondo was dominant in his rookie season with a 1.62 ERA, but Scot Shields seems like the more likely replacement considering his major league experience in the role. |
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| Gillick not a candidate to join Jays | Sunday 10/5, 8:07 AM CT |
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Current Phillies GM Pat Gillick has no plans to return to his former employer, the Blue Jays, to fill their vacant team president seat when his contract expires at the end of this season, reports the Toronto Sun.
Our View: The 71-year-old plans to move back to his home on the West Coast after doing a masterful job getting the Phils to the playoffs over the last two seasons. |
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