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Tense
2007-08-29 13:20
by Cliff Corcoran

Roger Clemens was the Red Sox's young fireballing ace. Josh Beckett is the Red Sox's young fireballing ace. The two face off tonight at the Stadium in a series that got a heckuva lot more exciting after the Yankees decided to show up last night and make things interesting.

If you were to plot this series out, you could see a focused Yankee team winning behind Pettitte and Wang on the days Joba's available to nail down the setup innings and against two pitchers the Yankees have fared well against thus far this year in Matsuzaka and Schilling. That would chalk tonight's game up as the loss, as Beckett has finally put it all together at age 27, while Clemens has just two quality starts in his last five tries at age 45. As great a player as Hanley Ramirez has become/is becoming, if Beckett and Mike Lowell can lead the Sox to another World Championship this year, it'll be hard to call that trade a mistake.

One positive for the Yankees tonight is that Manny Ramirez's back is tense. Manny left last night's game with back spasms, isn't in the lineup tonight, and is likely unavailable. Erik Hinske gets the start in left. Jason Giambi starts at first base for the Yankees. The other positive is that, if the Yankees do manage to win tonight, they'll be in great position for a very unlikely sweep.

Comments (423)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2007-08-29 14:58:41
1.   rufuswashere
Not sure if this made today's earlier posts, but it sure is entertaining:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=caple/070829&sportCat=mlb

2007-08-29 15:34:44
2.   C2Coke
Now that I finished reading Cliff's game thread. I am all prepared for anything tonight.

Let's Go! Yankees!

2007-08-29 15:37:07
3.   monkeypants
Pete Abe posted some interview with Cashman about Kennedy, including this nebulous answer to a question about the forty man roster; "We have to make a move."

OK kids, make your predictions. I think that no pitcher under 30 will be released, so that leaves my top two choices:

1. Brower
2. K. Thompson (PR can be replaced by Gardner if need be; will not be on PS roster; will be gone next year anyway).

2007-08-29 15:49:14
4.   Cliff Corcoran
3 Brower's the obvious choice. T.J. Beam would be the second in line in my opinion.
2007-08-29 15:50:35
5.   Sliced Bread
Manny v Clemens woulda been fun tonight.

I refuse to believe he's not available until I see him shackled to the foul pole, up on the squirrel perch... and even then...

Anyway, betcha a pint of moose tracks with cherry on top that somebody takes a Rocket fastball in the lumbar this evening... inadvertently, of course.

2007-08-29 15:55:15
6.   unmoderated
lezgo yanks.

prediction for this evening's affair:

clemens: 6 IP, 112 pitches, 3 BB 5 K 8 hits 3 ER

beckett: 7 IP 106 pitches, 4 BB 9 K 5 hits 3 ER

yanks bullpen: 3 IP, 1 BB 4 K 2 hits 0 ER
sox pen: 1 IP 2 BB 1 K 3 hits 2 ER

abreu doubles in the third to score damon and jeter.

giambi homers in the 5th.

lowell hits a 3 run HR in the second.

---

giambi hits a 2 out 2 run homer in the 8th.

in the 4th, beckett goes up and in on Cano, and he yells a bunch and points and the crowd boos and thats it.

2007-08-29 15:57:18
7.   Eirias
Seattle is down by 4 in the 9th.
2007-08-29 15:58:02
8.   Vandelay Industries
Angels up 6-2 top ninth, bases loaded and two out.

Barring a miracle, Yanks could tie for the WC tonight.

2007-08-29 16:01:49
9.   Sliced Bread
5 prediction, not a suggestion, mind you.
2007-08-29 16:05:04
10.   Vandelay Industries
And our old friend Mr. Proctor is about to cough up the go ahead run in the top of the 12th in Los Angeles.
2007-08-29 16:05:41
11.   Vandelay Industries
WOW! Proctor got out of it......yikes!
2007-08-29 16:08:17
12.   underdog
10 3 shutout innings by your old friend, saved their hide today. (Of course, if they were able to PH Betemit at some point, that might have ended it, but never mind that.)
2007-08-29 16:10:53
13.   Sliced Bread
3000 miles away, Proctor was assured victory by Manny's back spasms.
2007-08-29 16:11:07
14.   Vandelay Industries
12 A reliever pitching three innings? What kind of parallel universe is this?
2007-08-29 16:12:35
15.   Vandelay Industries
Beltre pop up. Game over! Go tie this bitch up boys!
2007-08-29 16:22:33
16.   C2Coke
Hey! It's nice to have the old Banterer crowd showing up tonight!

6 Man, you have your own ball game going on up there.

What gets the Cap'n fired up is actually quite predictable.

2007-08-29 16:23:36
17.   Zack
Lets not waste Derek on 2nd guys!
2007-08-29 16:26:29
18.   randym77
They wanted Proctor because they wanted a workhorse. They got what they wanted.
2007-08-29 16:27:30
19.   Zack
What is that on Beckett's chin? Half a goatee? What is it with baseball players and crappy facial hair?
2007-08-29 16:29:39
20.   Sliced Bread
19 chin-chilla
2007-08-29 16:31:16
21.   Zack
See, Bob, that didn't hurt so much did it?
2007-08-29 16:33:57
22.   monkeypants
Why are we watching close ups of Manny drooling all over himself?
2007-08-29 16:34:06
23.   Zack
Um, Roger, the strike zone is right there, in the middle
2007-08-29 16:35:06
24.   williamnyy23
Kay should try doing the game every now and then instead of asking his annoying Center Stage questions.
2007-08-29 16:36:53
25.   williamnyy23
Giambi and Roger converging on the bag...you know Coco Crisp had to be just a little nervous.
2007-08-29 16:38:04
26.   monkeypants
25 Hey I'm just happy that Giambi has fielded two balls and Abreu fielded a pop up near the wall in foul territory, and neither exploded.
2007-08-29 16:43:23
27.   williamnyy23
Wow...Beckett looks excellent.
2007-08-29 16:49:36
28.   Zack
Leche!
2007-08-29 16:54:35
29.   Zack
YES! Huge JD!
2007-08-29 16:57:15
30.   OldYanksFan
Roger is such a competative egomaniac.
You just KNOW he wants to beat Beckett... even if we had a 30 game lead in the division.
I expect this 3 run lead to PUMP HIM UP!
2007-08-29 16:57:41
31.   Zack
I could see that play develop right off the bat, anyone else?
2007-08-29 17:00:57
32.   Chyll Will
31 Here!
2007-08-29 17:01:53
33.   tommyl
I hope Steve Phillips and Murray Chass were watching when our fourth outfielder singled off the greatest pitcher obtained in a trade ever.
2007-08-29 17:05:05
34.   Zack
Roger all over the place
2007-08-29 17:05:35
35.   williamnyy23
The Rocket needs to trust his stuff more.
2007-08-29 17:08:53
36.   Zack
Thanks for the out Dustin
2007-08-29 17:09:20
37.   mehmattski
Yeah, just because you're dirty doesn't make you a good player, rook.
2007-08-29 17:09:41
38.   underdog
14/18 - It was a long stint to be sure, but a) he didn't pitch yesterday, b) they have the day off tomorrow, c) have two potentially good young relievers about to come up and help when rosters expend and d) (perhaps most importantly) had 76 year old Roberto Hernandez warming up in the bullpen as a near last resort. It was a yeoman's effort.

Good luck tonight!

2007-08-29 17:09:43
39.   Zack
Man oh man is Damon ugly in LF...
2007-08-29 17:10:44
40.   Zack
38 Long stint? For EDSP? Psh, thats just his WARMUP!
2007-08-29 17:11:40
41.   williamnyy23
Ortiz probably can't wait to get back to Boston. Not only would those outs be 2B/HRs, but pitchers can actually entertain the thought of using the outside part of the plate.
2007-08-29 17:12:47
42.   Zack
Oh Alex...
2007-08-29 17:13:00
43.   williamnyy23
Ahhh...you never see Arod do something that stupid.
2007-08-29 17:13:18
44.   ny2ca2dc
39 was that sarcastic? He's not natural out there yet, but he's making a case for himself, and his speed/range/athleticism is really good. With his comeback at the plate, maybe if he can't be traded for something pretty good he should just take over Left & Matsui finally make the transition to 1B next year...

Little over ambitious there Arod....

2007-08-29 17:13:34
45.   Zack
Apparently, Dustin Pedroia is "all baseball player" whatever the hell that means
2007-08-29 17:13:34
46.   monkeypants
GRRR...
2007-08-29 17:14:41
47.   underdog
40 Ooops, sorry, I forgot! Maybe they're stretching him out for starting duties next season.
2007-08-29 17:14:42
48.   JeremyM
See guys, Hinske does something to help his team win ballgames every time he plays, just like espn said.

Did I really hear the announcers say if there is a mediocre slider or curve thrown, Hinske can hit it out of the park? Damning with fainit praise I'd say.

2007-08-29 17:14:47
49.   Zack
44 No it was serious. By ugly I meant its ain't pretty. He gets it done, but its all sorts of turning and swerving and corkscrewing towards the ball. He may well be in RF next year if Bobby leaves
2007-08-29 17:15:51
50.   williamnyy23
49 I think it's almost a certainty now that the Yankees will pick up Abreu's option.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2007-08-29 17:16:14
51.   monkeypants
44 Please, let us not revisit the Matsui at first idea. Now, Damon may be the better LF than Matsui, but you cannot deny that he takes ugly routes to the ball and makes very awkward catches. On most of those he's needed his speed to compensate for his own poor routes.
2007-08-29 17:17:01
52.   Zack
A Rod play looming large...we are a triples machine these days!
2007-08-29 17:17:22
53.   JeremyM
A-Rod really has to be kicking himself now...

My God, I almost miss Rick Sutcliffe right now. Bald jokes and olden day jokes, hilarious.

2007-08-29 17:17:55
54.   Zack
50 I read somewhere today that its not so set in stone at all, but of course its all spec at this point...
2007-08-29 17:20:08
55.   williamnyy23
Crap...stranding runners always gives me a bad feeling. Posada should have been more aggressive with a man on 3rd.
2007-08-29 17:21:06
56.   C2Coke
60 pitches not even through 3. I like Red Sox's Ace.

Jorge is especially emotionally fired up lately, no?

2007-08-29 17:22:00
57.   Zack
56 Jorge's always had a case of the red ass, but it does seem a bit redder of late ..

What a waste of an inning...

2007-08-29 17:22:27
58.   JeremyM
Well, that kind of stunk. I kind of agree that Giambi should've laid one down.
2007-08-29 17:22:41
59.   williamnyy23
I really hope that inning doesn't come back to haunt them...leading off with a single and a triple should mean two runs...coming away with nothing is a lost opportunity.
2007-08-29 17:22:41
60.   mehmattski
49 Also, if you thought having a noodle-arm in CF was bad, imagine how many extra bases would be taken if Damon was in RF. Ugh. Besides, it's better to have someone with CF experience play LF in Yankee Stadium, it's cavernous out there.
2007-08-29 17:24:26
61.   OldYanksFan
51 His bad routes may be because he is unfamiliar with the position. He was an above average CF. I have to think that will translate to LF with a bit more experience.

I like the idea, although I don't know if Mats can play an average 1B.

2007-08-29 17:25:12
62.   mehmattski
OMG Giambi caught a ball! It's a miracle! I do not believe what I just saw!
2007-08-29 17:25:22
63.   Zack
Ahh, of course ESPN would show a highlight of a red sox win
2007-08-29 17:26:13
64.   williamnyy23
62 Settle down Jack Buck.
2007-08-29 17:27:08
65.   Zack
61 I don't doubt it. LF in Yankee Stadium isn't an easy place to patrol. His skill set is far more suited for LF than anywhere else right now, but sooner or later hes gonna give up a big hit with those routes...
2007-08-29 17:27:59
66.   Zack
Is it really possible that Drew has that little power now? I mean, hes looking like Sean Casey
2007-08-29 17:27:59
67.   OldYanksFan
From ESPN:
Mariano Rivera watches from the bullpen as the savior, Joba Chamberlain, warms up for his seventh inning in the big leagues. On this day, he has been asked to shut down the middle of the Detroit lineup. With the Yankees up 4-3 in the seventh, Chamberlain pumps fastballs at Gary Sheffield, who cannot catch up to a chest-high, 98 mph bullet and pops out. Magglio Ordonez, the Tigers' MVP candidate, flails at the vapor trails of three fastballs and whiffs. Two outs. Carlos Guillen gets Chamberlain's slider, which seems to be a hybrid of Ron Guidry's Louisiana lightning and Rivera's cutter, and because he is wary of the fastball, he cannot check his swing. Nine pitches, three outs, two punch-outs, one more inning of total domination. The fans are on their feet again as Chamberlain walks off, his teammates tapping him with their gloves as they pass.
2007-08-29 17:28:22
68.   OldYanksFan
And Clemens takes Beckett to school.
2007-08-29 17:28:42
69.   williamnyy23
65 Right now, the question is will it be a hit that Matsui would have caught? Bad routes and all, I think Damon is a net gain over a healthy Matsui, not to mention one with a balky knee.
2007-08-29 17:29:07
70.   SF Yanks
Hmmmmm...just noticed something going on in the game...
2007-08-29 17:29:27
71.   monkeypants
61 For goodness sakes, he's played nearly 350 career games at LF and he's still running around in circles out there? he was never that good of a CF. A fast one, yes, but not the most instinctive. And that's the way he plays LF. Now, that doesn't mean he's not getting the job done--he does get there more times than not.
2007-08-29 17:30:47
72.   JeremyM
Cano, bad idea there, wear this guy out and send him to the showers.
2007-08-29 17:31:58
73.   mehmattski
72 He walked last at bat, give him a break. He's got free-swinging quotas to fill...
2007-08-29 17:32:33
74.   Zack
oooh, looked out to me
2007-08-29 17:32:55
75.   williamnyy23
No slide for Melky!!
2007-08-29 17:33:10
76.   mehmattski
I guess forgetting to step on first base is playing the right way to play the game. Ipso facto, et cetera.
2007-08-29 17:33:25
77.   Zack
oops, he was safe!
2007-08-29 17:33:29
78.   monkeypants
74 Yep.

75 ; )

2007-08-29 17:34:09
79.   williamnyy23
What's what the 1st pitch swing this inning...they were executing a perfect game plan until now!
2007-08-29 17:34:11
80.   monkeypants
78 I take that back--it did look like he missed the bag.
2007-08-29 17:35:16
81.   JeremyM
79 One of my biggest pet peeves, the plan is working and then they switch it up.
2007-08-29 17:35:38
82.   OldYanksFan
So if they re-sign Abreu, does JD become a $13m bench player? More lost ABs for a healthy Giambi? Right now our 1bman has a .700 OPS and Tex is off the market. What are we gonna do?
2007-08-29 17:36:30
83.   williamnyy23
82 If Arod re-ups, I have no problem rolling this exact offense into next season.
2007-08-29 17:36:35
84.   C2Coke
80 Both Arod and Beckett seemed to have forgotten where the 1B bag locates.
2007-08-29 17:36:44
85.   monkeypants
81 Maybe the plan all along was to swing early, but they got away from it before...
2007-08-29 17:37:04
86.   williamnyy23
Jeter should have been struck out anyway...that pitch was down the middle.
2007-08-29 17:37:07
87.   Zack
What happened there Melky, running through quick sand?
2007-08-29 17:37:09
88.   JeremyM
I could just sense that they were going to give an out away there. Terrible jump by Melky.
2007-08-29 17:37:56
89.   Schteeve
70 No, you didn't. :)
2007-08-29 17:38:28
90.   joe in boston
81 79 so true - they wait out Becket for 3 innings and now this inning kills me (and them)