Comments on: LCS Preview

By: sirsean

sirsean — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:08:05 +0000

Agree. I think the chances of a brawl are pretty small. This isn't the middle of summer any more -- both these teams will be trying to win.

Also, I doubt Clemens was roid raging in 1990.

By: FunBobby

FunBobby — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:43:45 +0000

I bet both teams behave themselves. The Red Sox know what is on the line, and while the Rays are young and inexperienced they won’t do anything stupid. I bet we have some heated discussions, and staredowns, but no benchclearings.

By: spangler

spangler — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:41:09 +0000

the leash is certainly longer….not that it mattered to roger clemens in the ALCS back in 89 or 1990…he was famously ejected early in a game for arguing balls and strikes. Probably roid’ raging at the time

By: FunBobby

FunBobby — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:56:27 +0000

That is an interesting point. Are suspensions handed out less liberally during the playoffs. So can you do something that would get you suspended for one game during the regular season in the playoffs and not be suspended?

By: spangler

spangler — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:41:36 +0000

What’s the over/under for bench clearing brawls between the redsox/rays? 1.5? 2.5? Grant Balfour’s swearing should incite at least one incident alone

By: FunBobby

FunBobby — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:20:46 +0000

Remember in 1999 when the Red Sox held Pedro out until game three, thus setting him up to pitch game six, problem was the yankees won in 5.

I think you want to get your best pitcher (Lester) as many starts as you can. I see it as similar to refraining from using your closer in case you get to a save situation. What if that save situation never materializes?

By: sirsean

sirsean — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:10:32 +0000

Lester is scheduled to start game 7, if there is one. (Because there are so many off days between games in the playoffs.)

I'm guessing they'd rather have Lester get one start at home AND have him on the mound for a possible game 7 than anyone else.

I don't think there's anything wrong with what Francona's doing. And I certainly don't agree with Schilling -- who thinks HE should be starting game one, despite having thrown no pitches this year. (When is this guy going to just shut up?)

By: A. Higgins

A. Higgins — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:20:16 +0000

I already made my LCS picks and they were both teams that aren't playing in the LCS. So to hell with that.

One thing, I'm struggling with Francona's rotation selection. Matsuzaka, despite his outstanding record, doesn't inspire much confidence to me - too many walks, not enough innings. And it's true that Lester is better at Fenway, but right now he's good anywhere. Beckett is Beckett (or is he?) but Lester is their best at the moment and I don't see how you don't get him two starts.

I can't stand watching Derek Lowe.

By: spangler

spangler — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:52:25 +0000

The defending prediction champ's picks

ALCS

Boston vs Tampa Bay:

As much as i would like to see a team like tampa bay make the WS, this red sox team seems to rise to the occasion when it truly matters.

Red Sox in 6

Dodgers vs Phillies: The dodgers pitching made the cubs lineup look anemic...i don't see it happening two series in a row. Bonus Prediction: Ryan Howard hits Two HR's off derek lowe in the series.

Phillies in 5