If the Boston Red Sox are to make the postseason, which it looks like they are because they’re up 5.5 games in the Wild Card, and only 3 games behind the Rays for the AL East, they owe a lot of gratitude to the Republicans. Because of Republican National Convention, the Minnesota Twins have been on the road since August 21st, playing a total of 14 road games in those days with a record of 5-9. The McCain/Palin ticket has down more in the past two weeks to help the Red Sox than Julio Lugo has done in two years. In the meantime the Red Sox have gone 9-4 since August 20th, almost completely ensuring that they will be in the playoffs this season. The hat tip goes to the Republicans for completely wiping out the Twins and allowing the Red Sox to gain some much needed breathing room, and it has also allowed them to rest some of their injured veterans. If only the Democrats had their convention in Tampa Bay it would have been a win/win for the Sox. If the Sox are to repeat this season, they certainly owe a lot of that to the timing of the Republican Nation Convention.
The Red Sox are planning a major push for Blue Jays right-hander A.J. Burnett, according to a rival executive. Burnett, 31, is almost certain to opt out of his contract and become a free agent at the end of the season. Since joining the Jays in 2006, he is 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA in six starts against the Red Sox. Yankees owner Hank Steinbrenner already has revealed his team’s interest in both Burnett and CC Sabathia . . .
Boy, oh boy, is my girl Alicia Sacramone looking hot or what ? Hopefully someone told her to becareful of Jason Varitek. One day I hope to have her dance on my pummel horse.
According to reports, the Red Sox may sign Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa:
Sponichi is reporting that the Boston Red Sox have signed are looking to sign amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa from Eneos Oil of the Industrial Leagues. Tazawa is a 22 year-old righthander with a fastball that reportedly reaches 97 mph, and is widely considered a top amateur going into this year’s NPB draft. All 12 NPB teams, as well as the Braves and Mets had been watching Tazawa in addition to Boston.
Not good news from Red Sox camp, Josh Beckettis scratched from his Friday start against the WhiteSox and is going to see Dr. James Andrews. This is said to be precautionary but I am not buying it. Theosaid he believes there is no more tingling in his right hand, but his elbow does not feel right. We posted an article earlier about a doctor saying these are symptoms for Tommy John surgery. If that is the case Beckett will miss the rest of this year and all of next year, The Sox have been battered with injuries and thy still find a way to win. Beckett has not pitched since August 17, he has been placed on the DL and David Pauley will take his place in the rotation. Daisuke will start tonight, Pauley on Saturday and Wakefield on Sunday. If Beckett has to have Tommy John and I hope and pray he does not, look for the Sox to go after Ben Sheets and or AJ Burnett in the off season. Lets go Sox and cross your fingers.
In the first two games, the Red Sox, minus the injured J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell, still forced starters Andy Pettitte and Ponson to throw 190 pitches to record 28 outs while allowing 10 runs on 13 hits. Boston no longer has Yankees killer Manny Ramirez, but Jason Bay has replaced him. Bay has six RBIs in this series - or as many as an entire lineup that has Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, Bobby Abreu and Damon, Hideki Matsui and Robinson Cano. Jason Giambi homered leading off the ninth, and with the Yanks losing 11-2 at the time.
This Yankees offense mimics Hank Steinbrenner, more bluster than action. Yammerin’ Hank attended a home game last night for the first time since the season opener. The absentee owner blustered some more before game time, promising changes for next year. At least this time surrender was the right motif. The 2008 season is like the Stadium: History.
The run that the New York Yankees have had of making the playoffs every year since 1995 is just about up. The play of the Yanks under new manger Joe Girardi has been simply bad all year long. No one summed up their play better than Yankees owner Hank “The Tank” Steinbrenner in today’s Daily News ” bottom line is they sucked”. Very eloquently spoken by Yanks new Poo-Bah. More from the Daily News:
“All I can think about is this game at this point,” Steinbrenner said when asked if his team’s playoff hopes were finished. “We’ll see what happens (today), but the bottom line is they sucked.”
“It’s very disappointing,” Steinbrenner said. “Even without having our two best pitchers, so forth and so on, they still stunk. That’s the bottom line.”
