Francona has a QUICK HOOK doesn't he?

[The Bid]

Byrds the worst. Wakefield and Byrd are one in the same except Wakefield throws the knucker 65. Byrd throws his fastball 65

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by The Bid

Byrds the worst. Wakefield and Byrd are one in the same except Wakefield throws the knucker 65. Byrd throws his fastball 65

Byrd isnt very good but Wakefield has been a total disaster the last three playoffs and he has an ugly record against Tampa. Byrd did pitch well last year in the post season. It is not a great situation either way.

[docicu3]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Byrd isnt very good but Wakefield has been a total disaster the last three playoffs and he has an ugly record against Tampa. Byrd did pitch well last year in the post season. It is not a great situation either way.

19-3 prior to 2008......3 starts this year with ERA slightly < 6.00 but 3 starts VS 22 decisions and knucleballs come and go in effectiveness.

If he has been money tonight all you would have heard is about how his back was hurting him during this season, which it was, and how good he is.....again give Tampa their due!!

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by docicu3

19-3 prior to 2008......3 starts this year with ERA slightly < 6.00 but 3 starts VS 22 decisions and knucleballs come and go in effectiveness.

If he has been money tonight all you would have heard is about how his back was hurting him during this season, which it was, and how good he is.....again give Tampa their due!!

His record against tampa prior to this year is really meaningless considering the lineup changes. He has been dreadful in the last three postseasons and has been beat up pretty good by Tampa this year. He has given up 26 runs his last 23 post season innings. Byrd isnt great or even good but I was a bit surprised by the move. Boston has been hampered by injuries and they do miss Lowell a lot more than you hear about. Throw in Ortiz hurting and Beckett never really being healthy the entire year, Drew being banged up as usual and Varitek's becoming totally useless at the plate and they have overachived a bit. Tampa is a good team, well balanced, sufficent power, very good defense, speed, very good starters, good bullpen outside of the closer.

[docicu3]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

His record against tampa prior to this year is really meaningless considering the lineup changes. He has been dreadful in the last three postseasons and has been beat up pretty good by Tampa this year. He has given up 26 runs his last 23 post season innings. Byrd isnt great or even good but I was a bit surprised by the move. Boston has been hampered by injuries and they do miss Lowell a lot more than you hear about. Throw in Ortiz hurting and Beckett never really being healthy the entire year, Drew being banged up as usual and Varitek's becoming totally useless at the plate and they have overachived a bit. Tampa is a good team, well balanced, sufficent power, very good defense, speed, very good starters, good bullpen outside of the closer.

Stop saying sensible things tempered with factual knowledge.....It makes it tough to argue with you!!

[dalakhani]

did you guys notice last night that the Rays first three hitters all were first ball swinging? All outs mind you (a three pitch inning for Lester).

Do you think that was gameplanned?

Do you think it helped in any way?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

did you guys notice last night that the Rays first three hitters all were first ball swinging? All outs mind you (a three pitch inning for Lester).

Do you think that was gameplanned?

Do you think it helped in any way?

Maybe they were lulling him into a false sense of security? Honestly i missed the first 2 innings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y00vd5HM_08

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Maybe they were lulling him into a false sense of security? Honestly i missed the first 2 innings.

It was interesting to watch. I was sitting with a friend from work who is a die hard socks fan. I dont know about lulling him but i guess you can put it that way. By the time you turned it on in the third, they were taking him deep into the count.

I just thought it was odd. I have watched baseball for a long time, and i have never seen an opening side in a playoff game first ball, fast ball swing 1-2-3 into outs.