[Rick Pitino Extortion Case]

Awesome skewer by Simmons.

 

This whole episode is so ...Pitino. Guy is the cliche/stereotype of sleazy college bb coach.

[This game is OVA!!!]

I liked Thome but his time with the Sox was done. He was too fragile to take a chance on. It is a long season,almost 40% of the season yet to play out. Thome could go down tomorrow and Kotsay will probably have a big second half and end up having fans singing his praises. 2 months ago fans were hammering Alexei,Omar,Beckham,Juan and Carlos. In two months they might be praising Kotsay and Andruw.

 

The Twins could afford to take a chance with Thome due to their deep team of hitters and deep farm system. Sox could not gamble. Ozzie made the right call.

[I want Ozzie and KW gone.]

I expect Kenny and Ozzie to muddle their way to another division title this year, their 3rd in the last 6 years, and roll the dice in the playoffs,with Danks,Floyd and Buehrle on the mound. Probably win a series ,maybe a world series. Then next winter, Kenny and Ozzie will get hammered by loyal Sox fans again...because that is what loyal Sox fans do.

[Will Omar play next year?]

It's a roll of the dice if the Sox think they can count on this kind of Vizquel magic next year.

 

If he finishes the season playing like he is now...ya gotta bring him back. Lets see how he holds up.

 

[Teahen cleared for baseball activity...]

Thing is, we're stuck seeing Teahen. Same deal as Linebrink. Sox are paying them so they got to be on the team.

I wouldn't mind Teahen if he just replaces Kotsay and his at bats.

Can't imagine Oz getting rid of Kotsay though. He appears to love him. Viciedo is the guy who is gonna get sent down though I wish it was Lillibridge if I had to pick between those two (I'm assuming Oz has to have Kotsay and Jones both).

 

 

Fresh start for Teahen as a utility player might just get him off to a good roll. He will be strong,clearly,down the stretch,and if he could get hot hitting, he can really fill in for several guys...for Kotsay, for Beckham,for Omar... Geoff Blum 2.0? If the Sox stand pat, then Teahen and/or Kotsay have got to hit ....it seems like we only face right handed starters these days and we need something from the left side.

[Beckham Back to the 2 Hole?]

Leave him alone for the time being. If he continues to hit,maybe move him up to 7th. I like Omar in the second slot because he can give himself up,let Juan steal,hit with two strikes, move runners along, and bunt. None of that is stuff that Gordo is really ready to do yet, nor do I want him to be bunting Omar over, hitting with two strikes,ect.

 

I think if current trends hold...lineup vs righties : Juan,Omar,Alex,PK,Carlos,Kotsay,Gordo,AJ,Alexei.

vs Lefties: Juan,Alexei,Alex,PK,Carlos,Andruw,Gordo, Dayan,Castro.

[The silver lining about Hudson/2nd half schedule...]

That's because any pitching matchups with the Twins are going to look good for us. The Twins rotation, outside of Pavano and Liriano, is just not very good.

 

 

Even Liriano has had 2 bad starts in his last three outings. Pavano is the only starter for the Twins that has not blown up big time the last 3-5 times thru the rotation.

 

 

[The silver lining about Hudson/2nd half schedule...]

For sure no doubt, but some people are acting like the kid needs to pitch against only teams like KC, Seattle, etc.. every night. Eventually he has to face the Bostons, NYY of the world. Luckally he already has that MLB experience from last year, and I'm one of Huddy's biggest fans so I know he can handle it.

 

 

I believe they already announced the starters for the Twins series...Danks,Floyd,Buehrle,Garcia....as was suggested.

I agree totally that this sets up very well for Hudson. Seattle,Oakland,Baltimore,Detroit ect....good schedule for him.

 

 

[All-Star Break Standings Importance]

So at least to my eyes...the Sox basically get to think that they control their own destiny. A solid win over both of those teams and they're taking this division. If the Sox falter, whichever team beats us up harder has a real advantage.

 

Twins have the easiest schedule of the three,with only 37 vs teams over .500, Sox are next with 40 and Tigers have 43.

 

Cliff Lee going to Texas is nice,as possibly the Twins and tigers could face him 4 times total.

 

Tigers are brutal on the road,and have a lot of tough road series left.

 

Gonna be a 3 way dogfight to the end, I suspect.

Healthiest team wins.

[Viciedo...]

It looked like he struck it well off the bat, maybe enough to get into the first 3-4 rows. When I actually saw it fly that far up, I was amazed.

 

 

Amazingly, I do not think he even hit it with everything he had...the wind did help,but I think he will put one on the pavilion before he is done with the Sox.

 

I love what I see so far from this young man. Better fitness than advertised,soft hands, cannon arm, makes contact,and when he stripes it...like that line drive in the gap...the ball comes off his bat in a special way. He could end up being a complete stud for a decade on the south side...please do not trade him,kenny!