I think you could say that about each and every pitcher on this team.

 

Look at Jose.  What's been different for him in the 2nd half?  The league actually has a slightly higher batting average against him in the 2nd half...but in slightly more innings, he walked 27 post all-star as opposed to 48 pre all-star.

 

It has been huge for every one of our pitchers.

 

This is a staff that works well when they have control. Most pitchers do...but some, like the Clemens's and the Santana's, can make up for their lack of control. Our staff completely depends upon control. When anyone in our rotation has any type of control, they can be flat out disgustingly dominant. When they are wild in the least, they get hit around.

 

What is nice to know is that the only pitcher thus far in the postseason who has struggled with their control some was Freddy...and he pitched around that as well as he could have. If he finds some control of his pitches...it could be more fun things to come.

I'm going to hazard a guess that the first close play goes to the Angels. I hope it's early.

Go Chisox, win game 3 tomorrow, I'll be here all day

lets go sox! lets go big jon! lets take control of this series!

Waiting another day for Game 3 is going to be torture. I'm ready for them to play right now.

Somehow, for some reason, I just don't feel good about this one. Then again, I felt like that about Game 2 and we got that one, complete with wrapping paper with a bow on top.

 

Jon -- do your thing.

 

 

 

 

With Santana starting game 4, we might wanna think about winning game 3 and not putting ourselves back in the hole.

Must win tommorow IMHO. Santana is a guy who has shut us down before.

not like we been shut down by the other 2 pitchers weve faced..

John Lackey may be the best pitcher in baseball right now and Santana owned the Sox in only his second career start. The Sox must win ONE to bring it back to Chicago. I'm hopeful, but this is going to be a very bad weekend unless someone steps up at the plate...Carl? Paul? Jermaine?

 

I hate the 2-3-2 format

Hmph, I just received in my email inbox a commercial email from the LA Times advertising 3 day vacations in Illinois.

 

Hmmm....

I hate the 2-3-2 format as well.

Garland has had plenty of rest and I think he will come out of the gate relaxed and in control. I'm just worrried about our offense waking up, but I think that will come around too.

 

Offense breaks out the next 3 games. We return to Chicago... with the Pennant. In. Stone.

RIP EM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Key to game 3: match the intensity. I'm nervous.

Key to game 3: match the intensity. I'm nervous.

listening to talk radio in LA you can bet the angels are going to come out fired up - they feel like they had one taken away from them and they're not happy. I'm nervous as well.

listening to talk radio in LA you can bet the angels are going to come out fired up - they feel like they had one taken away from them and they're not happy. I'm nervous as well.

You know as well as I do that sometimes being "Fired up" can be a detriment when you're playing baseball...you try to make the great play and end up throwing the ball away, you try to lead off the game with a home run and pop out, you want to be the hero and do something stupid.

 

This game will come down to what every game comes down to...the performance of the pitchers and the hitters facing them. It won't matter which team is more "Fired up". For crying out loud, it's the playoffs. If you're not fired up, there's something wrong with you.

 

They'll be angry, sure. But that doesn't translate to anything. The question is...will big Jon be able to do his job on 12 days rest. That's the thing that matters. Hell, they can all be angry, fired up, and swinging for the fences for all I care...if they try that and Jon has that sinker working they'll be beating the ball into the ground.

Lets win it 12-0 and shove it in their face!

You know as well as I do that sometimes being "Fired up" can be a detriment when you're playing baseball...you try to make the great play and end up throwing the ball away, you try to lead off the game with a home run and pop out, you want to be the hero and do something stupid.

 

This game will come down to what every game comes down to...the performance  of the pitchers and the hitters facing them.  It won't matter which team is more "Fired up".  For crying out loud, it's the playoffs.  If you're not fired up, there's something wrong with you.

 

They'll be angry, sure.  But that doesn't translate to anything.  The question is...will big Jon be able to do his job on 12 days rest.  That's the thing that matters.  Hell, they can all be angry, fired up, and swinging for the fences for all I care...if they try that and Jon has that sinker working they'll be beating the ball into the ground.

 

hmm. I think being angry and being fired up are two different things. Angry would be bad - using this "incident" as a motivational factor, with a crowd you know will be rowdy and loud, is another thing entirely. I smell blowout if Garland gets rattled and a huge momentum shift. Hope I'm wrong.

hmm. I think being angry and being fired up are two different things. Angry would be bad - using this "incident" as a motivational factor, with a crowd you know will be rowdy and loud, is another thing entirely. I smell blowout if Garland gets rattled and a huge momentum shift. Hope I'm wrong.

 

I think that the Sox are due for a breakout game offensively. This will be their 3rd game back from their extended vacation, so all the rust should be off by now.

I think that the Sox are due for a breakout game offensively.  This will be their 3rd game back from their extended vacation, so all the rust should be off by now.

 

I'm feeling that too. I feel an ALDS-esque offensive showing Friday. Also, Garland's the only reason anyone should feel nervous about this game. And if Garland struggles, everyone in our pen is fresh and available. We'll do this.

 

 

7 more.

 

I'm feeling that too.  I feel an ALDS-esque offensive showing Friday.  Also, Garland's the only reason anyone should feel nervous about this game.  And if Garland struggles, everyone in our pen is fresh and available.  We'll do this. 

7 more.

 

   

 

Thanks - I'm on board!

two day effect!

 

the body doesnt respond after it has been given only 1 day of rest after a brutal stretch or an absolutely hugely competitive game. this is the spot that ANA is in. this happens each & every time.

 

last time this situation came up was in the pistons/spurs series. the pistons had to fight like mothers to advance against the heat and the team looked like dead ants trying to get up for the spurts in game one.

I'm feeling that too.  I feel an ALDS-esque offensive showing Friday.  Also, Garland's the only reason anyone should feel nervous about this game.  And if Garland struggles, everyone in our pen is fresh and available.  We'll do this. 

7 more.

 

   

 

you're not worried about Lackey and his "i can limit the yanks to under 5 runs in two starts"?

 

i kinda am