Beckett, Clemens have something to prove
Aug 29th, 2007 by Bill Burt
What is it about the Yankees when it comes to playing the Red Sox?
Where is the team that can’t pitch straight? Where is the 8-run inning?
The Yankees looked like Yankees of old in last night’s three-game series opener, which means they were clutch.
The game had the feeling of a playoff game, which is what these games are supposed to feel like. But the funny thing is the Yankees have looked absymal heading into the last three series between these teams only to show up against the Sox looking sharp.
It will be interesting to see how the next two nights play out. Of course, the Yankees must win at least one of the next two to even think about the American League East division race.
Tonight’s Roger Clemens vs. Josh Beckett match-up is the most intriguing of the series. Beckett has pitched like an ace and Clemens more like a No. 4 starter. Doesn’t Beckett have to pitch well tonight? Don’t we consider this a playoff-caliber kind of game? Beckett has to prove he is a No. 1, to the Yankees, and Clemens has to prove he is worth even half of what the Yankees paid him. For a potentially meaningless game, it has a lot of meaning.
What are your thoughts on last night and tonight?
Do you agree that Beckett has as much to prove as Clemens tonight?
I’ll be responding later today …
7 reader comments to “Beckett, Clemens have something to prove”
-
1Colin said:
I think Beckett already proved to the Yankees that he is a No. 1, big-game pitcher in the 2003 World Series.
-
3Jonny said:
Tonight matters because it’s about momentum for both teams; each team needing to keep it going and kill the others. Obviously.
Moreover, with Manny and our real right fielder (that guy with red hair) likely out with bad backs tonight, Josh doesn’t need to worry about proving anything. He just needs to slow that high-priced lineup down. way down.
-
5Colin said:
Obviously it would be nice if Beckett could dominate tonight, but if he doesn’t, that doesn’t mean he’s not a big-game pitcher. It means he’s still an ace who just happened to have a sub-par game.
Likewise, if Clemens dominates tonight, that doesn’t mean he is once again an ace. It means he’s still an aging, average pitcher who just happened to have a good night.
-
7s1c said:
The team, not Beckett needs to play well. If we get a good pitching performance and the team plays well, then we get the win. Otherwise it doesn’t matter.
