If the Redsox win tomorrow, the NYY should be a pretty decent favorite, ONLY because the redsox would be going into the series with a tired Pedro. If Pedro throws 130 plus pitches tomorrow, it will make it even worse. Had Pedro been able to start Game 1, and possibly Game 4 and Game 7, who knows, they might have even been a favorite in the series.
But because of this situation, if Bos goes on to face the NYY, I will open up the the series price at
NYY -167
BOS +147
_______
And the redsox history of losing in post season, NYY playoff experience and home field for the Yankees has a big factor in this line..
But because of this situation, if Bos goes on to face the NYY, I will open up the the series price at
NYY -167
BOS +147
_______
And the redsox history of losing in post season, NYY playoff experience and home field for the Yankees has a big factor in this line..
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by wilheim:
btw. the line for tommorow's game between the Sox and A's is still at -151.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Why you telling me the line is -151??
I said the line would be -155. Is it because it is not moving? It could go either way Willy. I predicted that it would stay around there and books would get close to even action, or maybe a bit more on Boston..
Willy, I need to see more pics by you..You were great in your prime. I don't like to see this side of Willy. I don't like to see the sharp willy who talks about gambling.. He's not as entertaining as the old willy. Now start posting pics again, just like the old days, or the sick one will not be happy.. And go sign in the hockey contest. Thanks willy..
btw. the line for tommorow's game between the Sox and A's is still at -151.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Why you telling me the line is -151??
Willy, I need to see more pics by you..You were great in your prime. I don't like to see this side of Willy. I don't like to see the sharp willy who talks about gambling.. He's not as entertaining as the old willy. Now start posting pics again, just like the old days, or the sick one will not be happy.. And go sign in the hockey contest. Thanks willy..
Protecting Martinez has been their ace in the hole
By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff, 10/5/2003
Jack Morris, Dave Stewart, and Roger Clemens -- three guys who would have pitched with three days' rest without a second thought -- aren't walking through that door. We accept that. We accept without an eyebrow raised manager Grady Little's decision to pitch ace Pedro Martinez in Game 5, as opposed to pitching him on three days' rest in Game 4 at Fenway Park.
After much consternation, Martinez was available last night. He made his way to the bullpen after the fifth inning to the delight of the Fenway faithful. But he wasn't needed. The bullpen pitched four innings of spotless relief -- three from Mike Timlin and one from last night's winner Scott Williamson -- in a stirring, 3-1 Red Sox' victory in Game 3 against the Oakland A's. We've come to accept Martinez's fragility, because shoulder problems have certainly changed the way he's been managed. He has been in the Pitcher Protection Program most of the season, averaging 98 pitches per start in the regular season, the chains taken off in Game 1 in Oakland when he threw, gasp, 130.
Watching the seventh inning of that game, with each pitch over 120, you wondered if his right shoulder was in peril.
Little and pitching coach Dave Wallace have managed this well. Their hope was to get Martinez into the postseason in his dominant splendor.
When Little made his rotation on Friday's offday, there was no surprise. Martinez is best when he pitches with full rest. Little said he thought about pitching Martinez in Game 4, but the team needed to win three games, so why not head into Game 5 with your ace?
It was a sound decision because it offers maximum protection for Martinez and gives the team a rested pitcher on the most important day of the season.
Sound, prudent, cautious. Is that what Red Sox Nation wants?
Now the flip side.
You go into Game 4 with veteran John Burkett, a 38-year-old pitcher who has held up his end as the No. 4 starter. He's pitched some gems, and there have been times when his first-inning woes (he's allowed a .370 average in the frame) has dug too deep a hole for the Sox' offense to climb out of.
Better to save Burkett, or a combination of Burkett and Tim Wakefield, for Game 5 in Oakland, where you hope the offense, the strength of the team, would snap out of its road doldrums. Burkett is 6-3 with a 5.34 ERA at home and 6-6 with a 5.00 ERA on the road.
What percent of Pedro Martinez would you be getting if the Red Sox had been so bold as to pitch him in Game 4? Sixty percent? Seventy percent? Would you take that over a 100 percent Burkett? How many innings? Five, six tops? Would you take that, too, figuring it would be the same Burkett could pitch?
Concerning the Game 4 starter, Little acknowledged yesterday, "It was a close decision. And right now we need to win a game that Derek Lowe starts, we need to win a game that John Burkett starts."
So physically, would Martinez have been able to go? "Yes," Little said without hesitation.
In contrast, A's manager Ken Macha on Tim Hudson, who yesterday was named the Game 4 starter: "My feeling is I want to have my best guys out there. I feel [Hudson's] been my best pitcher. That's the way we're going to go."
Hudson doesn't have the physical limitations of Martinez, though Hudson had a problem with cramping in his right thumb and forearm in Game 1.
Statistician Chuck Waseleski indicates Martinez has never pitched on three days' rest. With Montreal, he pitched on two days' rest June 23, 1995 in a 2-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates (8 innings, 5 hits, and 2 runs). But that was after he was knocked out after two-thirds of an inning June 20 against the Houston Astros, allowing five runs.
But the Red Sox seem confident in Burkett. "He's had phenomenal playoff starts in the past," said Gabe Kapler. "Burkie is one of the [toughest] pitchers I've been around. He wants the ball at any time, against any pitcher, any lineup. You don't want someone tentative out there."
But for the Red Sox to even think about a Game 4 or 5, their bats have to be revived. They would have to be the team that averaged just under six runs per game, a team built for Fenway Park. "This team, I feel these guys feel they can come back and do this, and I'm part of that too," Burkett said. "I'm hoping we can get that opportunity. If we win and I pitch a good game and get us to Game 5, I really like our chances."
wil.
By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff, 10/5/2003
Jack Morris, Dave Stewart, and Roger Clemens -- three guys who would have pitched with three days' rest without a second thought -- aren't walking through that door. We accept that. We accept without an eyebrow raised manager Grady Little's decision to pitch ace Pedro Martinez in Game 5, as opposed to pitching him on three days' rest in Game 4 at Fenway Park.
After much consternation, Martinez was available last night. He made his way to the bullpen after the fifth inning to the delight of the Fenway faithful. But he wasn't needed. The bullpen pitched four innings of spotless relief -- three from Mike Timlin and one from last night's winner Scott Williamson -- in a stirring, 3-1 Red Sox' victory in Game 3 against the Oakland A's. We've come to accept Martinez's fragility, because shoulder problems have certainly changed the way he's been managed. He has been in the Pitcher Protection Program most of the season, averaging 98 pitches per start in the regular season, the chains taken off in Game 1 in Oakland when he threw, gasp, 130.
Watching the seventh inning of that game, with each pitch over 120, you wondered if his right shoulder was in peril.
Little and pitching coach Dave Wallace have managed this well. Their hope was to get Martinez into the postseason in his dominant splendor.
When Little made his rotation on Friday's offday, there was no surprise. Martinez is best when he pitches with full rest. Little said he thought about pitching Martinez in Game 4, but the team needed to win three games, so why not head into Game 5 with your ace?
It was a sound decision because it offers maximum protection for Martinez and gives the team a rested pitcher on the most important day of the season.
Sound, prudent, cautious. Is that what Red Sox Nation wants?
Now the flip side.
You go into Game 4 with veteran John Burkett, a 38-year-old pitcher who has held up his end as the No. 4 starter. He's pitched some gems, and there have been times when his first-inning woes (he's allowed a .370 average in the frame) has dug too deep a hole for the Sox' offense to climb out of.
Better to save Burkett, or a combination of Burkett and Tim Wakefield, for Game 5 in Oakland, where you hope the offense, the strength of the team, would snap out of its road doldrums. Burkett is 6-3 with a 5.34 ERA at home and 6-6 with a 5.00 ERA on the road.
What percent of Pedro Martinez would you be getting if the Red Sox had been so bold as to pitch him in Game 4? Sixty percent? Seventy percent? Would you take that over a 100 percent Burkett? How many innings? Five, six tops? Would you take that, too, figuring it would be the same Burkett could pitch?
Concerning the Game 4 starter, Little acknowledged yesterday, "It was a close decision. And right now we need to win a game that Derek Lowe starts, we need to win a game that John Burkett starts."
So physically, would Martinez have been able to go? "Yes," Little said without hesitation.
In contrast, A's manager Ken Macha on Tim Hudson, who yesterday was named the Game 4 starter: "My feeling is I want to have my best guys out there. I feel [Hudson's] been my best pitcher. That's the way we're going to go."
Hudson doesn't have the physical limitations of Martinez, though Hudson had a problem with cramping in his right thumb and forearm in Game 1.
Statistician Chuck Waseleski indicates Martinez has never pitched on three days' rest. With Montreal, he pitched on two days' rest June 23, 1995 in a 2-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates (8 innings, 5 hits, and 2 runs). But that was after he was knocked out after two-thirds of an inning June 20 against the Houston Astros, allowing five runs.
But the Red Sox seem confident in Burkett. "He's had phenomenal playoff starts in the past," said Gabe Kapler. "Burkie is one of the [toughest] pitchers I've been around. He wants the ball at any time, against any pitcher, any lineup. You don't want someone tentative out there."
But for the Red Sox to even think about a Game 4 or 5, their bats have to be revived. They would have to be the team that averaged just under six runs per game, a team built for Fenway Park. "This team, I feel these guys feel they can come back and do this, and I'm part of that too," Burkett said. "I'm hoping we can get that opportunity. If we win and I pitch a good game and get us to Game 5, I really like our chances."
wil.
Went 10-2, 2.71 in 14 GS at home and 10-2, 1.89 in 16 GS on the road...Recorded 10 or more wins at home and on the road in the same season for the 2nd time as a Red Sox...His 1.89 road ERA led the majors...Went 19-2 vs. the A.L...He has 87 career 10-K or more games, 60 as a Red Sox, and nine in 2002...Went 11-2, 1.40 in 14 GS from July 1 (96.2 IP, 15 ER, 116 K), including 6-1, 0.72 in seven GS at Fenway.
wil.
