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Now what? Play the games in September

Aug 31st, 2007 by Bill Burt

It is easy to get flustered following these Red Sox this year. Isn’t a rite of summer around here anyway?

I have a column in Friday’s ET Publishing newspapers about “10 things we learned” from this Sox-Yanks series.

The bottom line is the Red Sox could afford to lose all three in the Bronx and live to tell about it. The Sox are up five games, which is a lot heading into September, but let’s be honest, it’s not too big of a lead to be caught.

One thing I didn’t mention, which deserves mentioning, is the Sox are not a great team. As constituted, in this league, they are as good as anybody. Maybe they are the best, by a hair, but big deal.

The series in Chicago is negated (that was No. 1 on the list), but really what was negated was the fact that the Sox appeared to have found their batting stroke. But that was a mirage.

The Red Sox weakness, especially with Manny Ramirez out anywhere from a few days to a week, is offense. There are too many guys hovering the 50 RBI mark that seem to struggle mightily come crunch time.

But because of their pitching, the Sox will be tough to knock off, be it the Yankees or anybody else.

The goal now is to get to October. Again, to reiterate, the Yankees don’t matter. They could win 28 in a row and it wouldn’t matter. The Sox still are in position to win 95-plus games, which means the playoffs.

One interesting sidelight was Joba Chamberlain. Why he went out on his own to prove a point to Kevin Youkilis (apparently the Yankees didn’t like him running out of the baseline) is anybody’s guess. Maybe there is more to Youkilis because Scott Proctor went head-hunting on him in June.

Chamberlain, despite being in MLB diapers, appears to be acting like he’s been there before. It will be interesting how the Yankees will downplay what he did. Personally, it jacked up this match-up beginning on Sept. 14 by a few decibels.

What are your thoughts on the sweep?

You have to admit the Yankees looked very good in several areas. Maybe the Sox and Yankees both wakeup after this series.

Stay tuned.

Posted in Red Sox | Comments

  • Nashua
    "CHOKE IS IN FULL PLAY"
    I told you over a month ago that this was coming (see July archives) and as Joe Castiglione would say, "...the Sox have squandered another opportunity...". "Swing and a pop up" or play and give up the division. If you want to call it playing baseball. These current so called ballplayers, the red flops, look more like disinterested sewer inspectors on a hot summer day! Aren't you suckers glad that you bought a $55 dollar 'pink hat', or a $70 million dollar nancy drew shirt, a Papi signed plastic poop, the $20 million dollar Manny "I don't know how to run on the bases or play the outfield" shirt or a $36 Million Julio Lugo, oops I can't the field the simple play ball and will probably throw it into the stands ball for free. You sox fans fans happy with that? From what I've seen over the years, you are. Sucked in by the vacuum of idiocy! Reminds me of the days of the Roman Empire, bread and circus, give them what they want and they'll pay anything for an obstructed view. Sox fans are pretty dumb when you come down to it. What a bunch of sheep. Are you pink hats happy with that? 'Cause that's how you're viewed on yawkey, causewaY, ripoff and raped street by fenway. Feel like a fan know or a SUCKER? Aww, you'll lick the pop, won't ya?
    SUCKERS! All in All, again, red flops choke, don't make the palyoffs, yankees make you you scream again, red flops melt before the NY power etc. Simple as that. Wait till next millenium. he eh
  • 1Bosox
    Once again you prove your ignorance Nashua.You are barely in the lead in the wild card race and you talk smack when you are still 5 games back.Sox fans everywhere can't wait to see you and your team on the golf course October 1 while we are in the playoffs.Every time you win and gain back a couple games you shoot your mouth off attacking red sox fans and within a week you lose and go back in hiding with the rest of your arrogant fans. The schedule is in our favor so we will coast home to the AL East crown. Can't wait to see what you have to say come October 1. Enjoy this week's victories as we head home and pick up where we left off in Chicago.
    Oh and speaking of CHOKES and FLOPS, I have a 2004 ALCS DVD for you to watch..send back your address and I will gladly send it free of charge Nashua!!!
    1Bosox
  • Nashua
    OK, Mr. 1Bosox, you're right. I was a bit harsh on the Sox fans and take back some of the things I said. The sox fans Are Not dumb.
    This laid back Francona team or maybe the way the sox appeared to lack a sense of urgency against the yanks recently only strengthens my assessment that this team lacks the "Killer Instinct". The yanks Out-Played them in every aspect of the game, running, fielding and pitching among a few. And tonight they got spanked by the Orioles. Yea, it ended 9-8 Orioles, but it really wasn't that close of a game. Now they've got other problems, Manny is hurt (for real this time), he'll be out for, perhaps, a lengthy period. Suddenly, Wakefield is out, Kielty is hurt, Drew is out of the game, (probably a plus?), when is nancy drew going to be back? Sound familiar, sound a lot like what happened in 2006? They'll get to play the yanks again, win 2 out of 3 or ............ you guess?
    Tonight's (8/31/07) lineup looked more like half a lineup, Drew, Crisp, Hinske, Lugnut and Cash. Come on, you can't tell me that you're so Psyched about those guys rounding out the lineup. Looks more like 5 outs in a row! Granted, Hinske had a good night (4 rbis), good for him. When do you think he'll do that next? (2008) Killer Instinct, this team has not.
  • 1Bosox
    Hey Nashua. Thanks for the apology. Just wondering when you mentioned Choke Is In Full Play which team were you referring to???????
    Gotta love every time the Stankees get close and cocky they get put right back where they belong! The fight is back on for the wild card and you can kiss the division goodbye while we set up our rotation for the playoffs! Looking forward to payback in two weeks at Fenway!!!
    1Bosox
  • Nashua
    Mr. 1Bosox, you’re funny, you made me laugh. OK, "... which team were you referring to?" Touche'. Got me, when the "Stankees" played the Sox they looked well tuned, ready to play good ball. Then they lost 2 of 3 to the D-Rays over the weekend, go figure. The 'figure' is that their pitching looks as if it's about to implode, Mussina to the pen, Clemens to the MRI or DL and all they have left is Wang and Pettite. I don't get it, but I'm not that concerned with the yanks as I am or was with the play of the Sox. As you know, baseball is a funny game. All in all, I don't care what either team does. I won't lose any sleep about it. As I said before, if the fluctual sox make the dance "I will return to make my (gulp) apologies and eat Crow." Until then, let the wheel spin..... Thanks again Mr. 1Bosox Please Look for my comments on future Bill "Scooter" Burt posts. Don't think that I'll comment on this date anymore, but will check back to read your comment, if any. Again, thanks Mr. 1Bosox, you've made it fun.

    Ray - Nashua
  • 1Bosox
    Glad you liked it Mr. Nashua...see I am located in Upstate NY and surrounded by Stankee fans(I just cannot use the word Yankee anymore when we go at it up here) so have taken my share of abuse over the yeras.I have enjoyed the season immensely with the only thing left as topping on the cake would be if those damn Stanks miss the playoffs entirely after giving a million a start to scumweasel ROGERK.
    Thanks again ray for making it fun!
    Jim AKA 1Bosox(my NYS license plate with a Red Sox emblem before they stopped issuing them in 2004..have had it since 1986!)
  • Casey262
    So I think it's pretty fair to say the Red Sox are doing good this year, probaly better than anyone thought they would. This is coming from a life-long Yankees fan so, your welcome. With that said, it is obvious that the Yankees have turned on and are actually starting to play, unlike that trash we saw in the begining of the season. It all started with the trade deadline, where most people think Brian Cashman and the Yankees made mistakes by not signing anyone (Eric Gange to name one). But that was the best mone the Yankees could have made. They didn't get Eric Gange, who has two blow saves in his last seven apperances, and they didn't deal Joba Chamberlain, who has turned out to be a hidden gem and maybe the next Mario Riveria after he leaves. The Yankees are on right now. Theres not much that can be argued with that. And yes the Red Sox are still in first. The Red Sox have the best record in baseball, they deserve every second of being in first. However, it is much better to turn it on near October than having been good in the begining of the season and kinda steady out. It will be interesting to see what happens in the playoffs this year, with Daisuke making his first playoff appearance and the Yankees struggle to get past cinderalla teams. I can't wait to see.
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