5/28-5/30 - Battle of the Titans, Sox vs. Indians

AutomatedTeller · 05-28-2007, 10:59 AM

I may be wrong, but this may be the first time since 1948 that the Sox and the Indians are both in contention at the same time.

I don't know much about the 50's and 60's and the Indians were ok in the 80's, but the Sox weren't so good in the mid 90's when the Indians where good.

Anyone know?

Zen653 · 05-28-2007, 11:06 AM

We had quite a few tilts against the Indians in the '90s. They swept us in the '95 ALDS (the infamous Tony Pena walk-off game.) They beat us again in the '98 ALDS (there was the controversy about starting Pete Shoureck in Game 4, instead of going with Pedro Martinez on three days rest.) And then we caught up to them in the '99 ALDS, taking three straight games against them after falling into an 0-2 hole (Martinez came out of the bullpen in Game 5 and no-hit the Indians for 6 innings. I recall Troy O'Leary having a big day with the bat.)

Zen653 · 05-28-2007, 10:40 PM

Great game by Schilling. Probably his best start of the season against the second best team in the American League. He struck out 10, located his pitches well, and made a lot of good hitters look silly.

Dustin Pedroia also had an impressive performance. Two doubles, a single and a walk. His average is climbing towards .300 and he contributed to the scoring at key moments in the game.

Terrible game by Papelbon. He had a 3 run lead going into the 9th. He only had to face the bottom third of the Cleveland lineup. So what does he do? As often the case this year, he walks the leadoff man. Then he gives up a hit. Then he gives up another hit. Before he records his first out, a run already scores and the tying run is at second base. Fortunately, Trot Nixon foolishly popped out on a first pitch swing, and Casey Blake (along with the first base umpire) bailed Papelbon out on a borderline swinging hit by pitch. I'll give Papelbon credit for the strikeout of Hafner but that's it. The rest of his outting was a disaster, and that's why he's my LVP. I don't have the same confidence in him that I had last year. There have been very few dominating performances. He's allowing way too many baserunners.

Game MVPs:

Game LVP:

Play of the game has to go to Kevin Youkilis for the inside-the-park homerun. That was well-earned. I'm starting to think Youkilis might be for real.

AutomatedTeller · 05-29-2007, 11:11 PM

Beckett comes back from the DL strong.

No Papi, no Papelbon, 2nd best team in the league.

No worries.

Sox win yet another series. They have lost 3 series all year.

Tomorrow, Dice-K goes for the sweep!!!

Zen653 · 05-29-2007, 11:33 PM

Co-MVPs:

(7 IP, 2 ER)

(2-4, 2 RBI)

LVP:

(0-4, bad defense)

05-28-2007, 10:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
AutomatedTeller Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 544	5/28-5/30 - Battle of the Titans, Sox vs. Indians I may be wrong, but this may be the first time since 1948 that the Sox and the Indians are both in contention at the same time. I don't know much about the 50's and 60's and the Indians were ok in the 80's, but the Sox weren't so good in the mid 90's when the Indians where good. Anyone know?

05-28-2007, 11:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
Zen653 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6,636	We had quite a few tilts against the Indians in the '90s. They swept us in the '95 ALDS (the infamous Tony Pena walk-off game.) They beat us again in the '98 ALDS (there was the controversy about starting Pete Shoureck in Game 4, instead of going with Pedro Martinez on three days rest.) And then we caught up to them in the '99 ALDS, taking three straight games against them after falling into an 0-2 hole (Martinez came out of the bullpen in Game 5 and no-hit the Indians for 6 innings. I recall Troy O'Leary having a big day with the bat.)

05-28-2007, 10:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Zen653 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6,636	Great game by Schilling. Probably his best start of the season against the second best team in the American League. He struck out 10, located his pitches well, and made a lot of good hitters look silly. Dustin Pedroia also had an impressive performance. Two doubles, a single and a walk. His average is climbing towards .300 and he contributed to the scoring at key moments in the game. Terrible game by Papelbon. He had a 3 run lead going into the 9th. He only had to face the bottom third of the Cleveland lineup. So what does he do? As often the case this year, he walks the leadoff man. Then he gives up a hit. Then he gives up another hit. Before he records his first out, a run already scores and the tying run is at second base. Fortunately, Trot Nixon foolishly popped out on a first pitch swing, and Casey Blake (along with the first base umpire) bailed Papelbon out on a borderline swinging hit by pitch. I'll give Papelbon credit for the strikeout of Hafner but that's it. The rest of his outting was a disaster, and that's why he's my LVP. I don't have the same confidence in him that I had last year. There have been very few dominating performances. He's allowing way too many baserunners. Game MVPs: Game LVP: Play of the game has to go to Kevin Youkilis for the inside-the-park homerun. That was well-earned. I'm starting to think Youkilis might be for real.

05-29-2007, 11:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
AutomatedTeller Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 544	Beckett comes back from the DL strong. No Papi, no Papelbon, 2nd best team in the league. No worries. Sox win yet another series. They have lost 3 series all year. Tomorrow, Dice-K goes for the sweep!!!

05-29-2007, 11:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
Zen653 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6,636	Co-MVPs: (7 IP, 2 ER) (2-4, 2 RBI) LVP: (0-4, bad defense)