Rowand44

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 03:08 PM) Im always positive until they are officially eliminated. I'm not if I don't believe in the team but there's not much to dislike about this roster overall besides Humber(hopefully he's not here for long) and Tony Pena.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 03:05 PM) Jackson was godlike. But I could shutdown this Tampa offense. Let's not get crazy. Tb's offense sucks but all you had to do was watch this game to realize he would have shutdown pretty much any offense around today. Not saying he's going to do it consistently but today, no one would have stood a chance.

QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 03:03 PM) There were alot of people here that didn't like the Hudson/Jackson trade, especially because Hud was cheap and EJ's big contract but I loved that trade...EJax has Ace stuff and Hudson, well, doesn't IMO... EJax Not to be a downer but that trade is still quite the loss for us.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 03:00 PM) True. I'm such a positive thinker when it comes to the Sox. We have an awesome roster, I don't understand all the freaking out so early in the season. I absolutely love our roster.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 03:55 PM) Against say a David Price? Yes. I don't really understand why Castro wasn't out there today, especially since AJ wound up in yesterday's game as well. Castro wont play back to back days this season unless AJ is hurt.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 03:53 PM) He's a 34 year old catcher. It's to be expected. He'll be hitting 8th or 9th soon, and I'd still rather have him in there than Flowers or the handful of crap free agents that were available this offseason. I agree with this and I'm sure Milkman does as well. I was happy to bring AJ back because he's still a legit catcher who can handle a pitching staff quite well but there's no doubt in my mind that he's going to be the major weak link in the offense this season.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 03:48 PM) AJ did pretty much everything he could to lose this game. He's going to be, by far, the weakest link in the lineup this year. I expect everyone else to have a good year offensively, but he'll be the guy we'll be wishing weren't up in a big situation. This I completely agree with.

Edwin throws strikes and it's just lights out. He was getting his slider and split over today and Tampa just had no chance. Not to mention, the defense was very solid today and we had to manufacture some runs which we did. Like I said in my first post, this game was just a thing of beauty.

QUOTE (mcgrad70 @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 03:41 PM) You would have if the clueless manager learned to just stay out of the way when his starters are pitching as well as Jackson. but as someone mentioned a few days ago he loves to inject strategy in order to put his imprint into every game. Sarcasm I hope?

That game was just a thing of beauty!

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 11:22 AM) Might be the greatest of him I've seen. Wow, that's Joker-esque. That's quite frightening.

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 10:51 AM) After 2 games we are going to make that call that Milledge is "really f***ing bad out there", and say the 2nd worst fielder in all the majors last year (Quentin), could actually be better out there? Give me a break. I saw enough of Milledge in spring training to know he is better than the 2 games he has played out there. He did the same thing in spring training, he just can't judge a fly ball to save his life. He either takes a step the wrong way or freezes on everything that's hit out there, yes, he's really f***in bad in the of. And I never said Quentin was better than anyone but so far this season he's been just fine out there. It could be the combination of him being healthy(keeping fingers crossed) and getting used to playing rf again or it could just be the fact that it's only been 5 games but so far he's made every play he's had to and he looks good in doing so.

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 11:41 AM) From what I've seen, he dropped a ball while running to the wall (not the easiest of catches, but should have been made), and then he broke in on a ball that ended up going over his mitt to the wall. So by my count, he made 2 mistakes, neither of which were as bad as Teahen's pop fly drop yesterday. Basically, he is still probably better than Quentin in the OF. He's literally gotten a bad jump on every ball that has been hit to him in the of so far, he's really f***in bad out there. On a side note, besides the fact that Q isn't going to throw anyone out from rf, he's actually be solid out there so far.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 11:36 AM) I haven't had a change to watch any of the games this year, but from what i've read he hasn't exactly looked sharp in the field. Anyone have any specifics to share? He sucks in the field, period. He's going to hit though, I'm pretty confident in that, he has a nice approach at the plate.

Really?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 09:36 AM) The only reason I want to see someone other than Matt close is because the Sox aren't going to be able to use him in innings 5-8 as needed now. That versility was huge. Games aren't always decided in the 9th. Absolutely.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 09:25 AM) Didn't I read somewhere that Selby and the Morris twins are leaving? Yes, that's why they're talking about Kentucky, not Kansas. As for next years teams, UNC is going to be absolutely loaded if Barnes comes back, easily the front runner imo. And even after the top 8, I think there should be some decent teams. Love Vandy's talent, despite their 1st round exits in the NCAA's the last couple of years. UCLA is going to be loaded with talent as well. I'm sure the level of play still wont be anything outstanding but you'll have some pretty damn good teams next year imo.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 08:20 AM) Lilli in Right? Ugh. Eh, he's our best back up defensive of. Keep Q's bat in the lineup while improving the d in the outfield after yesterdays terrible performance, I'm ok with it.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 08:17 AM) lack of a plus secondary pitch. lets face it, if thornton doesnt have his pinpoint location, he gets rocked. fortunately he has had it for the majority of the time, but we have seen what happens when he doesnt. I still dont think that homer Thome hit last season in Minnesota has landed yet. When Thornton has to throw that rolling breaking ball, he is in trouble. Sale on the other hand has a plus fastball and plus slider, and his changeup is pretty good when he can spot it. I also think Sale has that closer mentality "come at you as hard as I can". JMO This seems to be everyones reasoning but I don't see how that would change his effectiveness from the 7th/8th inning to the 9th inning. He's still the same guy that nobody has been able to hit, no matter what inning he's pitching in, I just don't really see how that makes a difference. And I was someone who wanted Chris to be the closer because I'd prefer to not mess with a pretty much perfect thing but unless Matt can't mentally handle the job(which I've seen no indication of) then I really don't see how the switch will effect him at all.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 09:09 AM) Im not basing anything on yesterday, but i dont believe Thornton is a closer. I think he is much better as a setup guy Any specific reason?

Get ahead of the hitters Edwin and you're unhittable.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 06:30 AM) Based on one game? Apparently one bloop hit has determined that Matt is not closer material.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 6, 2011 -> 08:07 PM) Yeah, the area between his ears. Certainly not going to argue the fact that he was a headcase but when you have that much of a hitch in your swing, you're not going to be successful in the major leagues.

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ Apr 6, 2011 -> 08:59 PM) That couldn't have been a more fortunate original, on-ice, goal call on Hossa's goal. Saved the season. Hockey Gods...thanks. Ya, certainly looked like his stick never touched the puck after his skate did. I'll take it.

Huge 2 points!