It’s Tuesday, September 18, 2007, and the Yankees have just cut the Red Sox’ AL East lead to 2 1/2 games. I don’t emphasize this too much, because with the Tigers’ loss, the Yankees have also increased their Wild Card lead to 4 1/2. But you already know this. Even you Mom, because I just told you.
I won’t go overboard because the season is not over, and the Yankees haven’t clinched ... yet. I like how they’re playing and I think their pitching has finally come around. While most of my friends have shifted their focus to football (and here in Canada, god forbid, hockey), I am still watching every baseball game I can. In fact, I was flipping between Seattle-Oakland and San Diego-Pittsburgh. It’s a slow night. I’m waiting for the Big Brother finale to start.
But, just because I can, here are some reasons the Red Sox should be scared, come the postseason:
1) J.D. Drew. Yes, the guy who’s getting paid $14 million a year. Reminder: He’s in year one of five. Anyway, he hit .289 in August and he’s hitting .295 so far in September, but he’s hitting .260 on the year! Not only that, he’s hit only two home runs since June 21st. He’s averaging about 7 RBI per month for July, August and September. They say he’s immune to the Fenway boos (unlike Edgar Renteria), but I don’t think that’s what it is. It’s as if he doesn’t even care. I watched the game where Drew’s homer was called a double at Fenway, when it was clearly gone. Even Eric Hinske said that if it were his “homer,” he probably would’ve been ejected for arguing. He just really doesn’t make Boston fans think he cares if they win, lose or even play. I mean, there’s something to be said about not letting the game get to you, leaving it on the field, blah blah blah. That just doesn’t work in Boston. Boston is a city for guys like Varitek, Papelbon and even Beckett. It’s a town that respects Derek Jeter, even if they hate him, for the way he plays the game (or so I think). That is why Dodgers fans were so elated to get rid of him. How is he going to be in the post-season? Is he going to care?
2) Tim Wakefield. Wake has been a horse for the Red Sox rotation, and after being pretty much lights-out for the first five months of the season, he’s been terrible in September. 12.08 ERA in three starts, including a start against Tampa Bay where he gave up 10 hits in 3 innings. Lucky for him, it was against Tampa Bay, and their bullpen is as bad as ... well, it’s just bad. Anyway, he didn’t get the loss, but it has to be troubling that the guy Greech and I agreed was the most consistent pitcher in the Sox rotation (and Danny Mac agreed as well, as he proceeded to plagiarize our comments) is struggling this late.
3) Manny Ramirez. I love Manny and we all know that. I wouldn’t mind if Julio Lugo or Mike Lowell had been out for almost three weeks with a stomach muscle injury, because I don’t care for them at all. In fact, as a Yankees fan, I would celebrate it. It was only last week that Manny could even swing a bat. My lack of a six-pack shows that I’m no expert on abdominal injuries, but Pilates taught me that the strength of your core has a large impact on your overall strength. ANYWAY, with ten games to go in the season, when is Manny coming back and will he be full strength? And don't give me that Jacoby Ellsbury excuse. When it comes to the postseason, I would much rather have my Yankees face Ellsbury than Manny. The kid may be on a tear, but you can't teach experience. (Or craziness in Manny's case.)
4) Eric Gagne. A while ago, I said that Gagne would be fine -- he is a Cy Young winner, after all. And he did calm down. After that hellish first week as a Red Sox, he’s been better. He hasn’t been Dodgers Gagne, but he’s been better. The problem is he’s only had a perfect inning once (against the Yankees last Sunday). Well, I’m not a pitching coach, so I’m not sure what the problem really is, but I seriously like that the former Cy Young winner is having issues. As my dad said, “Gagne is a spy sent by the Yankees!”
5) Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Angels (of Anaheim). Is there a sillier name in sports than the Angels? No. Anyway, I can’t quote exact stats, but at one point there was no question that the Red Sox would finish with the top record in the AL. Now? Not so fast there buddy. The Red Sox are one game up on the Indians and two games up on the Angels in the win column. All three teams have 62 losses. If the Red Sox manage to hold on to the AL East, they better hope the Angels end up with a better record than the Indians. Cleveland has been terrible against the Red Sox and Yankees and the last thing they want is to give New York an easier road to a possible ALCS clash. From now on, I’m an Indians and Yankees fan. Ladies love Grady (and Derek).
Okay, that’s enough talking about the Nouveau Evil Empire for now. I will be in Vegas just around the time of the World Series. Love it.
Photo Source: NYtimes.com
2 comments:
Ok Danny has never plagiarized in his life other than 1 paper in college that I got away with after some serious bullshitting skills.
I didn't plagiarize anything that you said or wrote. Go through the TSH Archives and look at May 14's post by DANNY MAC about TIM WAKEFIELD BEING UNDERRATED AND THE TRUE STAR OF THE STAFF. Plagiarism my ass. And don't give Griecci credit for anything I wrote. He is obviously the weak link at TSH.
Advice from a fellow blogger AND journalism major: do a little research before you make outlandish and false claims of plagiarism.
And I'll give it to ya...The Yanks are the favorite to win the AL right now...not just the East, the entire AL. Unless Trot faces Clemens again then all bets are off.
ok, danny does plagiarize, i just don't think he knows he's doing it. like he will read somethign we right, then a week later be like "i gotta great idea for a post!!!" and its exactly what we said. and the fact that you AND danny thought the that ever for a second the yankees were the favorite to win the AL pennant, just proves that you should both be banned from all baseball conversations from here on out.
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