It is time to talk Red Sox strategy

[Mr.Smith]

It is time for the Red Sox fans here to huddle up and come up with a game plan to beat the evil empire :lukesky :lukesky


So I'll start. Should the Red Sox go to a 3 man rotation? Its hard to say. If they do, they probably beat the yankees, but it would tire out their best pitchers right before the world series. It may be a good idea to consider, depending on how the NY series is going.

Heres the deal if we shorten up ;

1) Schilling
2) Pedro
3) Arroyo
4) Schilling
5) Pedro
6) Arroyo
7) Schilling

This is awfully tough on NY. 5 out of 7 pitched by Schilling and Pedro. Even more, this makes Wakefield a middle reliever-set-up man. He killed the yankees last year in his 2 starts. Let Pedro and Schilling throw fastballs at them and then bring Wakefield on for an inning or two to chuck knucklers to mess up timing and then back to the gas with Timlin & Embree or on to the closer Foulke.

Or;
1) Schilling
2) Pedro
3) Arroyo
4) Wakefield
5) Schilling
6) Pedro
7) Arroyo

This is probably what they do. But this series probably gets to at least game 6. Pedro has little confidence in big games against the Yankees right now. If they beat Pedro in game 6 to even the series, Arroyo would go in game 7, by then the Yankees would be feeling the collapse . They will look on game 7 against Arroyo as a foregone conclusion. If this series goes 7 games, I like Boston in game 7 only if Schilling is pitching.

So I like the shorten up to a 3 man rotation option, unless by some miracle Boston is up 3-0. then you let Wakefield start game 4 and have Schilling in game 5 in Fenway to slam the door, if neccessary

The more Schilling, the better. The Yankees simply have no answer for him in their rotation. No more Pettite, Clemens or Wells over there.

 

[RobFunk]

the sox have never lost to the yanks this season when arroyo goes (4-0), also out of the 3 arroyo had the best start giving up just 3 hits to the angels. hes going to be the difference maker imo. they are really singing this kids praise over at the sosh board and i couldnt agree more. in ST there was all kinds of talk about him being a 5, and now he is emerging as a legit stud pitcher. plus hes got the high leg kick and the corn rows. the white boy has got style and flair. he throws some ballsy pitches when he gets backed into a corner also.

wake looked like he was shaking off his rust when they played baltimore, so i perfer they go to a 4 man set up keep everyone nice and fresh.

if wake does come in for relief that means they have a BP of lowe,wake and foulke that is just disgusting. you gotta remember lowe was a closer before he was a starter he pitched that tough inning for the win in the angels clincher.

i am terrefied of sheffield and matsui those guys are really dangerous, matsui has killed boston all year and shef is just shef.

 

[Mr.Smith]

I have no problem with Arroyo or Wakefield.

But I do like the idea of 3 games in this series being pitched by Schilling. Thats a big edge for Boston

 

[Journeyman]

Pedro Will Then Go In Game 2 And 6 Or 7?

 

[WildBill]

Best way to do it would be:

Schilling
Pedro
Arroyo
Schilling
Wakefield
Pedro
Schilling

I think Schilling has proved plenty of times he can go three times in a series no problem. Pedro hasn't been quite as successful, although certainly could handle it. Still fact is only one of the two can go more than twice so might as well give Pedro closer to normal rest to get it done. Wakefield seems to rise to the occasion for the Sox, think it would be good to get him out there for a start as well.

 

[ppeter]

Doesn't matter. The Curse lives.:biglaugh:

 

[Journeyman]

I meant Pedro in game 2 and 5 or 6?, not game 7...Game 7 is definately reserved for Schilling....

Would Wakefield start over Lowe in the game 5 slot? I have not seen the 7 game plan yet...

 

[WildBill]

I think Lowe would be more effective being the first man out of the pen. He was decent in the stopper role before, just go up there and throw gas for an inning or two might be a nice addition to the pen. I think my schedule works best because look at what it does. In your four potential games in the Bronx you have nothing but your aces going. Nothing gives you a better chance to win than that.

 

[Journeyman]

I like that scenario Bill....it should be some great entertainment....

I don't think i've ever looked forward to a non-Orioles playoff series more than this one, okay maybe 1975 WS Reds/Red Sox...I can only imagine how jacked these Boston fans must be, and being a baseball fan over all sports, I am happy for the fans of Boston....I still may have to pull for the Yanks though ,at times lol

 

[Fishhead]

Hard to imagine, but Arroyo is the 2nd best starter right now, ahead of Pedro.

The 3-man rotation is definetly the way to go, with Wakefield possibly getting a spot start if they get ahead in the series.

Love the idea of using Lowe in middle relief.

 

[Fishhead]

By the way, winning the series over the YANKEES will mean virtually NOTHING of importance to me unless the Red Sox win the World Series.

 

[Journeyman]

Cards/Sox, would be a fun series..Fish what would you make the line Cards Sox?

Boston -125?

 

[Fishhead]

Off the top of my head and not thinking about it to much..........yes, -125 doesnt seem like to bad a number.

Maybe a tad higher?

 

[appolo]

Red Sox fans are an amazing group of people, I'll say that for them. What will be the reason they don't beat the Yankees this year?? Curse, bullpen, manager, defense, etc. etc. I have been hearing my whole life that, this is the year bullshit from Boston fans just to hear the whinning and crying after another choke job. What will be really funny is "IF" they ever do finally win it all how many will be screaming that they told you this was the year.... Having been so wrong for more than most peoples life time they will act like a freaking genius for picking the Bosox to win. LMAO. There is really in my opinion no more obnoxious and foolish fans than Red Sox fans. Boston has one of the greatest football teams of all time and all they want to talk about are there beloved Sox. Just imagine what this forum and every other sports site on radio and t.v. will be saying when Schilling loses game 1 to the Yankees. Oh and the Yankees will win game 1, of that there is little doubt, just ask a sox fan. They think the story is already written.

 

[RobFunk]

".....There is really in my opinion no more obnoxious and foolish fans than Red Sox fans...."

It's called loyalty

 

[appolo]

It's called loyalty

It is possible to have loyalty with class. That would be my point rob. I am loyal to my family but don't find the need to be an ass about it.

 

[Mr.Smith]

I saw some stats in the paper today. Wakefield has a 1.83 ERA vs. NY this year.I like Wild Bills rotation mixing him in for 1 start. In other games, he would be available to do whatever out of the pen. I like my idea of Wakefield as a middle reliever to really mess with their timing for a couple innings in the middle of the game!!

I agree Lowe is likely the long reliever, or possibly closer in extra inning games after Foulke is out.

Schilling was something like 4.87 ERA vs. NY . But he comes up big in the playoffs and he's well rested right now. He will do very well.

 

[Mr.Smith]

can somebody e-mail Francona Wild Bills rotation? Its a winner !!!

Better yet, e-mail it to Theo Epstein

 

[Doug]

It should be adjusted after every game, and will be. Start with Schilling for sure, then day-to -day. I'd have to throw Pedro in game #2 also, then make adjustments.