The series we've all been waiting for. 5 games with first place up for grabs. It has even more meaning since it looks like the second best team in the AL East may not even get in the playoffs.

Game 1 Friday 1:05pm Wang vs. Johnson
Game 2 Friday 8:05pm Ponson vs. Lester
Game 3 Saturday 1:20 pm Johnson vs. Beckett
Game 4 Sunday 8:05 pm Mussina vs. Schilling
Game 5 Monday 1:05 pm Lidle vs. Wells


Discuss.

The series we've all been waiting for. 5 games with first place up for grabs. It has even more meaning since it looks like the second best team in the AL East may not even get in the playoffs.

Game 1 Friday 1:05pm Wang vs. Johnson
Game 2 Friday 8:05pm Ponson vs. Lester
Game 3 Saturday 1:20 pm Johnson vs. Beckett
Game 4 Sunday 8:05 pm Mussina vs. Schilling
Game 5 Monday 1:05 pm Lidle vs. Wells


Discuss.

I'll put it this way: Both the Sox and Yanks have underachieved this year. Whoever makes the playoffs out of these two is destined to be a 1st round casualty.

The Sox got beat up by the D-Rays, Royals and Tigers. The Yanks dropped 2 straight against the O's.

Do either of these teams want the Division Title?

The Yankees won't be a 1st round casuality. They are winning the whole thing. I believe that. This team plays solid baseball (ARod's errors aside).

Is it me or does the pitching matchup favor the Yankees big time?

The Yankees won't be a 1st round casuality. They are winning the whole thing. I believe that. This team plays solid baseball (ARod's errors aside).

Is it me or does the pitching matchup favor the Yankees big time?

The pitching matchups are boarding on comical for the doubleheader tomorrow.

Then we have Josh "Homerun Derby" Beckett on Saturday and Curt "I give up 10 hits a game" Schilling on Sunday.

It is going to be ugly.

If the Yankees don't win 3 or 4 games in this series then they officially suck.

should be a good series

should be a good series

Doubt that.

The Yankees should waltz through this series. The only thing that will suck is the giant sucking sound coming out of Fenway this weekend.

Doubt that.

The Yankees should waltz through this series. The only thing that will suck is the giant sucking sound coming out of Fenway this weekend.

Oh ye of little faith. I'd say the pitching match-upd are about even. If you have lost faith then stop being a negative nancy - EDITED BY MAX.

Carl make your point without the personal attacks.

The Yankees won't be a 1st round casuality. They are winning the whole thing. I believe that. This team plays solid baseball (ARod's errors aside).

Is it me or does the pitching matchup favor the Yankees big time?


Game 1 Friday 1:05pm Wang vs. Johnson ( Wang who I love scares me on any mound other than Yankee Stadium). Johnson sucks but edge = Sox.

Game 2 Friday 8:05pm Ponson vs. Lester :) (Wiping off my monitor) Edge= Sox.

Game 3 Saturday 1:20 pm Johnson vs. Beckett (Yanks will take Beckett , much to my dismay onto whatever that street is called over the monster). Edge = Yanks.

Game 4 Sunday 8:05 pm Mussina vs. Schilling ( Moose is a mini slump). Toss Up but GS will give the edge to the Sox.

Game 5 Monday 1:05 pm Lidle vs. Wells (" Big Game" Boomer Wells = Nuff said) Edge Sox...... (go easy on me Matt39 if I miss this one ;) ).

Should be a great series.....enjoy.

Game 1 Friday 1:05pm Wang vs. Johnson ( Wang who I love scares me on any mound other than Yankee Stadium). Johnson sucks but edge = Sox.

Game 2 Friday 8:05pm Ponson vs. Lester :) (Wiping off my monitor) Edge= Sox.

Game 3 Saturday 1:20 pm Johnson vs. Beckett (Yanks will take Beckett , much to my dismay onto whatever that street is called over the monster). Edge = Yanks.

Game 4 Sunday 8:05 pm Mussina vs. Schilling ( Moose is a mini slump). Toss Up but GS will give the edge to the Sox.

Game 5 Monday 1:05 pm Lidle vs. Wells (" Big Game" Boomer Wells = Nuff said) Edge Sox...... (go easy on me Matt39 if I miss this one ;) ).

Should be a great series.....enjoy.
What a shock a boston fan would post this crap LOL

Oh ye of little faith. I'd say the pitching match-upd are about even. If you have lost faith then stop being a negative nancy EDITED BY MAX.

Carl make your point without the personal attacks.

I made a post last night saying the Sox were dead to me this year. Overpaid bastards in my book.

I am a Pats fan first and foremost. The Sox are a summer diversion. Don't get me wrong, I support all the Boston teams (even the Bruins), but my passion is only for the Pats.

What a shock a boston fan would post this crap LOL


I'm a Met Fan and it's just friendly banter.

Game 1 Friday 1:05pm Wang vs. Johnson ( Wang who I love scares me on any mound other than Yankee Stadium). Johnson sucks but edge = Sox.

Game 2 Friday 8:05pm Ponson vs. Lester :) (Wiping off my monitor) Edge= Sox.

Game 3 Saturday 1:20 pm Johnson vs. Beckett (Yanks will take Beckett , much to my dismay onto whatever that street is called over the monster). Edge = Yanks.

Game 4 Sunday 8:05 pm Mussina vs. Schilling ( Moose is a mini slump). Toss Up but GS will give the edge to the Sox.

Game 5 Monday 1:05 pm Lidle vs. Wells (" Big Game" Boomer Wells = Nuff said) Edge Sox...... (go easy on me Matt39 if I miss this one ;) ).

Should be a great series.....enjoy.


You cannot be serious taking jason johnson over wang.
I could see the sox winning that game, but on paper, that is a huge huge advanatage for the Yankees.

Boston should take 3.

Yankees have no exceuse for not taking at least 3. This is not the Yankees fan in me speaking - that guy wants all 5!!;) But the Bosox are vulnerable now. Not having Veritek means the pitching staff is without their rock-solid guy back there. Hey, the Bosox gave a 32 year old Catcher a 4 year deal at big money, but for a 32 year old CF, they declined. Varitek is a Major piece for the Bosox.

Wang has struggled in Fenway during his short career, and is coming off 2 poorly pitched games. But he is a big winner this season, and should do the job. Ponson should hold his own against Lester, but the Yankees probably lose that game.

Randy is hot right now, and Beckett is HR prone, and has some poor stats against the best teams in the AL. Schilling-Moose is made for TV theather. Lidle vs Wells, is an edge for Boston, but which Wells shows up.

Yankees, at least 3-2 for the series.

The series we've all been waiting for. 5 games with first place up for grabs. It has even more meaning since it looks like the second best team in the AL East may not even get in the playoffs.

Game 1 Friday 1:05pm Wang vs. Johnson
Game 2 Friday 8:05pm Ponson vs. Lester
Game 3 Saturday 1:20 pm Johnson vs. Beckett
Game 4 Sunday 8:05 pm Mussina vs. Schilling
Game 5 Monday 1:05 pm Lidle vs. Wells


Discuss.

If the Sox can win game 2 and get a split, they might be able to pull out a series win. It just depends onwhich Beckett and Wells shows. There is also the likely reality of a 4-1 or 5-0 Yankee romp.

some of these pitching match ups show why both teams have been up and down all season. If either team had any consistency in there starting staff ....they would have a huge division lead right now. Should be a Great series as always between these two. GO YANKS !!
:diablo:

Wang needs to step up today in Fenway. Period.

If we win both games today we should be able to win 1 of the final 3 to win the series and game at least a game.

Game 1 Friday 1:05pm Wang vs. Johnson Yankees 12 Red Sox 4 :)
Game 2 Friday 8:05pm Ponson vs. Lester
Game 3 Saturday 1:20 pm Johnson vs. Beckett
Game 4 Sunday 8:05 pm Mussina vs. Schilling
Game 5 Monday 1:05 pm Lidle vs. Wells

Lester is sucking arse tonight. He couldn't hit the side of a barn right now.

Lester is sucking arse tonight. He couldn't hit the side of a barn right now.

He should be in AAA. Injuries has forced Theo's hand. Of course him not doing ANYTHING at the deadline didn't help either.

He should be in AAA. Injuries has forced Theo's hand. Of course him not doing ANYTHING at the deadline didn't help either.

What was available at the deadline in terms of pitching help? Not much IMO.

I thought before the season started that the Sox would be lucky to make the playoffs.

Theo is building for the future.

Damon is just killing the Sox.

Melky nearly killed Lester.

This game has 12-11 written all over it.

Damon is just killing the Sox.

Melky nearly killed Lester.

This game has 12-11 written all over it.

It has 18-7 written all over it. Tavarez just came in to pitch!

Damon's having an awesome year.

the sox are on pace to throw over 400 pitches today

Bloody Trump is on with the NESN guys right now. Can he just go away please?

Bloody Trump is on with the NESN guys right now. Can he just go away please?

he can't be any worse than the senator or whatever he was who was just on. that guy was nothing but a stuffed suit.

he can't be any worse than the senator or whatever he was who was just on. that guy was nothing but a stuffed suit.

Didn't see the Senator. Sounds like I didn't miss anything.

This game is already 2 hours old and it is only the bottom of the 4th!

another clutch hit by A-rod

14-10wow more than the Jets score!

what a game so far, melky and jeter came through huge!

A-rod with a clutch double

Hey, where is JBF?

Hey, where is JBF?

check Manny's crotch

check Manny's crotch

Why is he braiding Manny's pubes?

Why is he braiding Manny's pubes?

he's putting them in cornrows

6 outs to go. who the hell is going to pitch the rest of the series? the yankees are pretty much out of arms, need big outings from the starters. dotel is going to have to get some work and i wouldn't be surprised to see ponson released and call someone else up.

The Yankees need arms?

Try Boston needing someone who can pitch.

26 runs in 2 games.

Donde esta el homo se llama JBF?

To anyone who saw the end of game 2-what time was that? That's a record time for a 9-inning game by a whole bunch.

JBF, where are you?

Muwahahahhahaha

Cya Boston.

3 1/2 back and we still have an extra game to play...it could eaisly be 4 games back. Good luck. A win today, tomorrow or Monday and we at least leave with a 1 game advantage that we didn't have entering the series.

To me no surprise the Yankees rocked the Bosox staff-Boston's starting pitching has been sub par all year- they need Beckett and Schilling to come through the next two days

Beside BlowSux' disappearance....the poster that has hunkered down, and stayed in his hovel/hole the past month or so is SJ/Scottish/Haggis

I deleted that whole exchange.

Let's talk baseball. The Yankees have a 5 game sweep to worry about!

I deleted that whole exchange.

Let's talk baseball. The Yankees have a 5 game sweep to worry about!


Max, I wish I could have seen the response to my post? I know I didn't say anything that wasn't "proper"...

That second game went on FOREVER. Nearly 5 hours to play 9 innings ? WTF.

Looked like a slowpitch beer league softball game.

I was wrong about Pavano. Get him here ASAP and get Ponson out of here. What a waste.

I think Torre may be starting to overuse Proctor and Villone. Get these guys some rest.

Johnson needs to give us 7 innings today, Let Dotel handle the 8th and Mo the ninth.

Jeter: What else can you say about the guy ? Maybe he really is the MVP.

I think Torre may be starting to overuse Proctor and Villone. Get these guys some rest.

shawn- I agree with you 100% on scott proctor. if torre uses him today, i will have an aneurysm. villone, however... i just feel like the dude can pitch everyday

shawn- I agree with you 100% on scott proctor. if torre uses him today, i will have an aneurysm. villone, however... i just feel like the dude can pitch everyday

i can't imagine using proctor or villone again today, but then again torre is to relief pitchers what herm is to rb's. dotel, beam and then whichever starter's throw day it is.

If RJ continues to pitch like this we might see an 8 inning performance...but I'm hoping for 7.

Max, I wish I could have seen the response to my post? I know I didn't say anything that wasn't "proper"...

No yours was fine. Nothing wrong with your post at all. Just been deleting the whole exchange lately. Rather than trying to clean it up. I am getting old and lazy!

3 for 3. Not saying the Yankees will win all 5...but what were the Vegas odds...if you took the Yankees in a 5 game parlay?

When does Free Agency officially kick-off?

:Cuss:

PFSIKH

I may find you to be a Boston Puke, and a douchebag to boot.....but I give you props for showing up here ater these 3 baseball "gems"

When Beckett was mercifully pulled, did they play "Walk this Way" by Aerosmith?

Would have been funny.

The Sox are getting the arses handed to them. No two ways about it. The Yankees are the better team. Tonight it's Schilling/Mussina? My prediction? No double-digit scores :)

I'm starting to feel sorry for Francona. He's real good at towing the company line......but you have to know that deep down inside he's thinking "I'm suposed to win with THESE pitchers?" Further, "yup, let me go to the bully early again. Should be fun to see these kids' arms fall off."

The Yankees are making a game of this one! They just don't give up.

5 - 4.

if the best Curt Schilling can do with his back against the wall is 7 IP and 3 earned runs, thats not going to fly so well in the playoffs

These 8:00 starts are brutal...

if the best Curt Schilling can do with his back against the wall is 7 IP and 3 earned runs, thats not going to fly so well in the playoffs


Apparently it was good enough for a standing ovation from the crowd. Didnt make much sense.

Apparently it was good enough for a standing ovation from the crowd. Didnt make much sense.


ofcourse it doesn't do too much for them now, does it? ;)

GAME
FREAKIN'
OVER
!!!!!!!!!

:yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

5 1/2 game lead.

Lets go for the 5 game sweep tomorrow.

if the best Curt Schilling can do with his back against the wall is 7 IP and 3 earned runs, thats not going to fly so well in the playoffs

Try to stay on topic. Schilling won't be pitching in the playoffs this year so I am not sure how that is even relevant.

Try to stay on topic. Schilling won't be pitching in the playoffs this year so I am not sure how that is even relevant.

isn't it still possible for the Tigers to pick him up on waivers?

That was 1 of the best games I have seen in years.

Yankees own! And Jeter is the MVP. :yahoo:

Try to stay on topic. Schilling won't be pitching in the playoffs this year so I am not sure how that is even relevant.

POTW NOM!!!!

BOSTON MASSACRE II

AKA: Son of Massacre

one more win tomorrow to make it a 6.5 game lead, and break the hearts of everyone in boston... damn. This might make my week.

one more win tomorrow to make it a 6.5 game lead, and break the hearts of everyone in boston... damn. This might make my week.

One more win will mean a lot more than broken hearts...I'm thinking broken bones and crushed spirits as well.

One more win will mean a lot more than broken hearts...I'm thinking broken bones and crushed spirits as well.

Even better.

I predict a sweep, David Wells is going to get hammered tomorrow. During and after the game, along with everybody in Boston.

if the best Curt Schilling can do with his back against the wall is 7 IP and 3 earned runs, thats not going to fly so well in the playoffs

Maybe if one of your starters did the same in 2004, you might have gone to the WS.

How major league baseball allows known cheaters to continue to play and mar the game is beyond me. It's truly sad.

Obviously as a Yankee fan I'm thrilled with the way this series has gone. No matter what happens tonight, the Yankees did a hell of a job and surpassed my expectations in this series. Boston is just a tough team and I thought best case scenario was Yankees taking 3 of 5. I guess I just prefer to be cautiosly optomistic.

Even if the Yankees sweep the five games, I still realize that a 6 1/2 game lead can disappear really quick with a bad bounce here, a blown call there, or a couple of sub par pitching performances. Things could not be better for the Yankees right now. Today. But until this thing is locked up, I'm not going to get ahead of myself. One day at a time.

These 8:00 starts are brutal...

Add in the "mandatory" ESPN between-inning commercials, and these Sunday Night games last nearly 4 hours, rain delay or not!

Who needs it.

one more win tomorrow to make it a 6.5 game lead, and break the hearts of everyone in boston... damn. This might make my week.

One more win this afternoon, and the Bosox may really not make the post-season.

Didin't JBF predict back in April that they will be ahead of the Yankees?, and the Yankees won't make the playoffs?
:p

How major league baseball allows known cheaters to continue to play and mar the game is beyond me. It's truly sad.

I don't think you find it sad at all. I think you find it frustrating that players who are known to have used performance enhancing drugs in the past, are currently helping beat the Red Sox. It's not so much of a moral thing as it is being upset that your team is down now.

Personally, what I find sad is that Major League Baseball waited so long to try to weed out the cheaters. So while guys like Giambi and Sheff were taking part in illegal activity from a legal standpoint, they were doing nothing wrong as far as MLB and their rule books were concerned.

I for one have gone on record several times as saying Sheff, Giambi, and all the known roid users should have their career stats wiped clean. This should have been prevented years ago when rumors of steroid use started in the late 80s. I love the game, and I'd like to know it's on the level. I say if Sheff, Giambi, or any other player in MLB tests positive it should be a lifetime ban for first time offenders. Thats just me though.

But it's funny to me how the Yankees payroll and the known history of some of their players is a big joke when the Yankees are struggling. When the Yankees aren't occupying first place it's a great time for everybody who hates them. "Ha ha ha, look at the 200 million dollar team in second place. Ha ha ha, all the roid users and the Sox have you beat". Once the Yankees start playing well it's a big sob story. It's no fair. It's sad. It's not right.

To me, thats truly sad.


JMO

Maybe if one of your starters did the same in 2004, you might have gone to the WS.
If that is your best comeback, you are hurting inside, real bad.

I do admire your being here all the time. Good show.

I don't think you find it sad at all. I think you find it frustrating that players who are known to have used performance enhancing drugs in the past, are currently helping beat the Red Sox. It's not so much of a moral thing as it is being upset that your team is down now.

Personally, what I find sad is that Major League Baseball waited so long to try to weed out the cheaters. So while guys like Giambi and Sheff were taking part in illegal activity from a legal standpoint, they were doing nothing wrong as far as MLB and their rule books were concerned.

I for one have gone on record several times as saying Sheff, Giambi, and all the known roid users should have their career stats wiped clean. This should have been prevented years ago when rumors of steroid use started in the late 80s. I love the game, and I'd like to know it's on the level. I say if Sheff, Giambi, or any other player in MLB tests positive it should be a lifetime ban for first time offenders. Thats just me though.

But it's funny to me how the Yankees payroll and the known history of some of their players is a big joke when the Yankees are struggling. When the Yankees aren't occupying first place it's a great time for everybody who hates them. "Ha ha ha, look at the 200 million dollar team in second place. Ha ha ha, all the roid users and the Sox have you beat". Once the Yankees start playing well it's a big sob story. It's no fair. It's sad. It's not right.

To me, thats truly sad.


JMO

Hence the name "Scapegoat Nation"

The Sox had their 15 minutes of fame and whored it out for all its worth. Now it is back to being their usual miserable selves.

Hence the name "Scapegoat Nation"

The Sox had their 15 minutes of fame and whored it out for all its worth. Now it is back to being their usual miserable selves.

True, so very, very true. Have you seen Fever Pitch yet? LOL!

You should hear Sports Talk radio in Boston this morning! Funny stuff. The difference between hard-core Pats fans and hard-core Sox fans is amazing. Sox fans remind me a little of Jets fans. ;) Right now the callers and hosts are playing the blame game. This should last 'till late September.

If that is your best comeback, you are hurting inside, real bad.

I do admire your being here all the time. Good show.

Seriously, my team has had their asses handed to them in four games. Oh yeah, at home. What could I possibly say that would even be relevant for a comeback? Nothing.

Seriously, my team has had their asses handed to them in four games. Oh yeah, at home. What could I possibly say that would even be relevant for a comeback? Nothing.

atleast your being honest :)

hey wait....there's a BASEBALL forum here?

hey wait....there's a BASEBALL forum here?

You remind me of a few mets "fans" who discovered the baseball forum after they became competitive earlier this year. Welcome aboard;)

http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Third_Party_Photo/2006/08/21/1156162865_5143.jpg

Seriously, my team has had their asses handed to them in four games. Oh yeah, at home. What could I possibly say that would even be relevant for a comeback? Nothing.

Fair response. Of everything that has happened this weekend, so far, through 4 games, the inability of the Bosox starters to throw strikes is the most surprising, IMO. I expected some high scoring games (not like the 1st 3 were though), but the poor command of the strike zone (when they can find it) of the Bosox staff has been most surprising. And when you add in a very patient lineup, trouble awaits.

Heck, even Cano drew 2 walks on Saturday!!

you know it has been nice being able to avctually see some Yankee games again-I go to the website every day and look at the 2 highlights they post but haven't been able to follow the team like I used to down here in Marlins land-they used to show 25-35 Yankees games when I first moved down here BEFORE the stinking NL took over south Florida-I've been a Yankee fan my whole life and actually WATCHED the 1st Boston Massacre on Ch 11 in 78 in Jersey

you know it has been nice being able to avctually see some Yankee games again-I go to the website every day and look at the 2 highlights they post but haven't been able to follow the team like I used to down here in Marlins land-they used to show 25-35 Yankees games when I first moved down here BEFORE the stinking NL took over south Florida-I've been a Yankee fan my whole life and actually WATCHED the 1st Boston Massacre on Ch 11 in 78 in Jersey

Counting last Thursday, the Yankees played day games 3 days in a row, and 4 out of 5 days. Not bad. That almost never happens.

Which it would happen more often.

Other than Boomer today, the Yankees patience at the plate has been huge in getting to the Sox starters.

Great series by the Yanks hitters.

you see Wells after that wild pitch brought in a run?He was pissed

the funniest thing is, that WP run is charged to Wells's ERA

3 more outs guys...fingers are crossed

2 more....

Farnsworth 99MPHm THE YANKEES WIN SWEEP WOW!!!!

5 game sweep!!!

I was hoping for 3. I got 5!!

Man, it's a beautiful day in NY.;)

This was fun. Lets sweep them next time too! :yahoo:

GS, still think Proctor is just part of the yankee hype machine? :)

I honestly think that if it was the Pirates vs Yankees in 5 games, they wouldn't have gotten swept. Thats how much boston sucked/sucks.

I'm fearing for my bass player Tim's life right now-he's from Chatham Mass-a BIG Sax fan-his cell phone is not answering and there's a really tall building in downtown WPB called The Darth Vader Building-I'm hoping to talk him off the ledge...