Boston Red Sox « On Tap

December 24, 2009

The Sportmeisters Top 10 Games Of The Decade: Game #7 – Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees – 2004 ALCS Game 4

Filed under: Alex Rodriguez, Anaheim Angels, Baseball, Bill Mueller, Boston Red Sox, Curt Schilling, Dave Roberts, David Ortiz, Derek Lowe, Doug Mientkiewicz, Ellis Burks, Esteban Loaiza, Florida Marlins, Gary Sheffield, Grady Little, Javier Vazquez, John Olerud, Keith Foulke, Kenny Lofton, Kevin Brown, Kevin Millar, MLB, Manny Ramirez, Mariano Rivera, Miguel Cairo, Mike Myers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Orlando Cabrera, Orlando Hernandez, Paul Quantrill, Ruben Sierra, Shane Spencer, Sports, Tanyon Sturtze, Terry Adams, Terry Francona, Tom Gordon, Tony Clark, World Series — Tags: Alex Rodriguez, Anaheim Angels, Baseball, Bill Mueller, Boston Red Sox, Curt Schilling, Dave Roberts, David Ortiz, Derek Lowe, Doug Mientkiewicz, Ellis Burks, Esteban Loaiza, Florida Marlins, Gary Sheffield, Grady Little, Javier Vazquez, John Olerud, Keith Foulke, Kenny Lofton, Kevin Brown, Kevin Millar, Manny Ramirez, Mariano Rivera, Miguel Cairo, Mike Myers, Minnesota Twins, MLB, New York Yankees, Orlando Cabrera, Orlando Hernandez, Paul Quantrill, Ruben Sierra, Shane Spencer, Sportmeisters, Sports, Tanyon Sturtze, Terry Adams, Terry Francona, Tom Gordon, Tony Clark, World Series — SportmeisterRyan @ 9:51 pm

Game #7 – Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees – 2004 ALCS Game 4

With the end of the decade nearing, Sportmeisters Derek and Ryan have decided to present their top ten games of the past decade. Today’s discussion is on the tenth best game from 2000-2009. What follows is a transcript of their discussion.

Sportmeister Derek: Ryan, today we are here to discuss something that will be debated for the next few weeks. With 2010 on the horizon, we are naming our top ten games of the decade.

Sportmeister Ryan: Absolutely Derek, these games will bring an enormous amount of discussion, as it did in just us figuring out our list. We may seem stuck on repeat, but it’s hard not to give the seventh spot to the 2004 ALCS Game 4 between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.

SD: We all remember, these two teams met in the 2003 ALCS, with the Yankees winning game seven in dramatic fashion. The Yankees would go on to lose the World Series in six games to the Florida Marlins.

SR: As is the case for good teams on the brink of success, they tinker with the formula to get them over the hump. With two free spending teams like Boston and New York, they did that, and then some.

SD: The Yankees acquired Starting Pitchers Javier Vazquez, Kevin Brown, and SS/3B Alex Rodriguez via trade and signed Relief Pitchers Paul Quantrill and Tom Gordon, Outfielders Ruben Sierra, Gary Sheffield and Kenny Lofton, 1B Tony Clark, and IF Miguel Cairo.

SR: It’s funny, but if you remember, the Red Sox initially had the deal to acquire Rodriguez, but the deal fell through. The Yankees ended up swooping in and grabbed the highest paid player in baseball.

SD: After the 2003 debacle, Grady Little was removed for Terry Francona as Manager, and the Red Sox would bring in SP Curt Schilling via trade, and signed RP Keith Foulke and DH/OF Ellis Burks.

SR: Schilling, coming over from the Diamondbacks, gave the Red Sox another formidable arm who had already pitched against New York in a playoff situation.

SD: As is the case, both teams bolstered up during the season as well. The Yankees acquired Starting Pitchers Esteban Loaiza and Tanyon Sturtze via trade and signed 1B John Olerud and OF Shane Spencer.

SR: Boston was also a mover at the trade deadline, bringing in SS Orlando Cabrera, 1B Doug Mientkiewicz, OF Dave Roberts, RP Terry Adams, and RP Mike Myers.

SD: Both teams found success again, with the combination of new players and seasoned vets. The Yankees again won the division with the American League’s best record at 101-61 and the Red Sox again won the Wild Card with a record of 98-64.

SR: In the ALDS, the Yankees then breezed past the Minnesota Twins winning 3 games to 1, while the Red Sox swept the Anaheim Angels.

SD: Once again, these two historical teams would meet to determine who would get to the World Series. The series appeared to be one sided as the Yankees stormed out on top with a 3-0 lead, winning game three in Boston by a crushing 19-8 score.

SR: Right there, 19-8. How does that not destroy any motivation left for Boston? To get crushed, at home, Yankee fans were swooping in for the kill in game four.

SD: No team in MLB history had ever come back from a 3-0 deficit and everyone thought that this series was over and the Yankees would go back to the World Series.

SR: Game four featured Derek Lowe vs. Orlando Hernandez. The Yankees wanted the sweep, while the Red Sox were just hoping to go one more game.

SD: New York took a 2-0 lead before Boston came back, going up 3-2. The Yankees would take a 4-3 lead in the sixth, and held the lead through the ninth.

SR: Boston came in the bottom of the ninth, going heads up against one of the most dominant playoff closers in baseball, Mariano Rivera. He had already taken down the three through six hitters in the eighth inning.

SD: Something must of happened to Mo in the dugout, because he started the ninth by walking Kevin Millar.

SR: Millar was 1-for-2 with a walk up to that point. He wasn’t someone the Yankees needed to pitch around. It ended up giving Boston life.

SD: Millar was pulled for pinch runner Dave Roberts, who promptly stole second on the first pitch.

SR: That play right there had to have been the turning point of the entire series. Roberts took second, putting the tying run in scoring position and removing a double play opportunity.

SD: In one of the few times, Rivera’s armor had been pierced. On the third pitch to Bill Mueller, Mueller smacked it straight up to centerfield, knocking in Roberts and tying the game.

SR: That was Rivera’s fourth blown save of his postseason career. When the Red Sox tied the game, at that moment, they had to have known the momentum was in their favor. Fenway Park was rocking, and the Yankees were reeling.

SD: Rivera ended up getting out of the ninth, and both teams worked a scoreless tenth and eleventh inning. In the twelfth, the Red Sox finally struck back.

SR: Relief Pitcher Paul Quantrill had the unfortunate task of facing the tandem of Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz. It’s no win there, avoid one, get the other. Face one, and you still have the other.

SD: Ramirez singled to left, followed by Big Papi blasting a two run walk off homerun. A walk off Home Run in extra innings between the Yankees and Red Sox, does that sound familiar?

SR: This game ended in dramatic fashion, setting the stage for the Red Sox to go on and complete one of the greatest comebacks in MLB history, as the Red Sox would win the next four in a row, a feat that had never been accomplished up to that point.

SD: This game had it all and that is why we have named it our number seven game of the decade. Stay tuned for the rest of our top ten coming up in the next few weeks. Any questions or concerns, feel free to email us at Derek@Sportmeisters.com or Ryan@Sportmeisters.com.

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December 22, 2009

The Sportmeisters Top 10 Games Of The Decade: #8 – Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees – 2003 ALCS Game 7

Filed under: AL East, AL Wild Card, Aaron Boone, Alan Embree, Anaheim Angels, Baseball, Bernie Williams, Boston Red Sox, Byung-Hyun Kim, Dan Miceli, David Ortiz, Derek Jeter, Gabe White, George Steinbrenner, Grady Little, Hideki Matsui, Jason Giambi, Jason Varitek, Jeff Nelson, Jeff Suppan, Jorge Posada, Kevin Millar, MLB, Mariano Rivera, Mike Timlin, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, Ruben Sierra, Scott Sauerbeck, Scott Williamson, Sports, Subway Series, Theo Epstein, Tim Wakefield, Trot Nixon, World Series — Tags: Aaron Boone, AL East, AL Wild Card, Alan Embree, Anaheim Angels, Baseball, Bernie Williams, Boston Red Sox, Byung-Hyun Kim, Dan Miceli, David Ortiz, Derek Jeter, Gabe White, George Steinbrenner, Grady Little, Hideki Matsui, Jason Giambi, Jason Varitek, Jeff Nelson, Jeff Suppan, Jorge Posada, Kevin Millar, Mariano Rivera, Mike Timlin, Minnesota Twins, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, Ruben Sierra, Scott Sauerbeck, Scott Williamson, Sportmeisters, Sports, Subway Series, Theo Epstein, Tim Wakefield, Trot Nixon, World Series — SportmeisterRyan @ 11:48 am

Game # 8 – Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees – 2003 ALCS Game 7

Sportmeister Derek: Ryan, today we are here to discuss something that will be debated for the next few weeks. With 2010 on the horizon, we are naming our top ten games of the decade.

Sportmeister Ryan: Absolutely Derek, these games will bring an enormous amount of discussion, as it did in just us figuring out our list. Today we’re looking at our eighth best game of the decade, and that is the 2003 ALCS Game 7 between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

SD: Let’s rewind a bit to set ourselves up. The Yankees were trying to get themselves back to the World Series after a disappointing ending to what looked like a promising 2002 season. The Yankees had finished 2002 with a league best 103-58 record, but were ousted in the ALDS by eventual World Series Champions Anaheim Angels.

SR: New York had not won a World Series since 2000, when they beat the New York Mets in the Subway Series. After losing in Game 7 in 2001 (an honorable mention of ours, by the way), and 2002s failure, Yankee fans were getting irritated.

SD: Indeed, so as Owner George Steinbrenner is noted for doing, he made some moves, flashing his wallet to pick up necessary pieces. It started with the off-season signing of OF Hideki Matsui.

SR: Notable moves made during the season included the acquisitions of RP Dan Miceli, OF/DH Ruben Sierra, RP Gabe White, 3B Aaron Boone, and RP Jeff Nelson. Aaron Boone, that name strikes a chord, huh Derek?

SD: Yes, Ryan, but we’re not quite there yet. Boston made some moves as well after missing the 2002 playoffs for the third straight year. They were quite sick of being the constant number two to New York.

SR: Two huge moves that need to be mentioned themselves were the signings of 1B/DH David Ortiz and 1B/OF Kevin Millar by brand new GM Theo Epstein.

SD: Those moves definitely highlighted a shift for the Red Sox in years to come. They also made some solid in-season moves, stockpiling pitching with trades for RP Byung-Hyun Kim, RP Scott Williamson, SP Jeff Suppan, and RP Scott Sauerbeck.

SR: For the Red Sox though, they still finished number two to the Yankees, as New York won the AL East with a 101-61 record, and Boston claimed the AL Wild Card, finishing six games back of New York at 95-67.

SD: Both teams made it through the ALDS with relative ease, the Yankees defeating Minnesota Twins 3-1, and Boston going the distance against the Oakland Athletics 3-2 to setup the AL East ALCS showdown.

SR: Neither team really gained beyond a one game advantage in the series. Boston took games 1, 4, and 6 while New York took games 2, 3, and 5 to setup a 3-3 tie and a final battle in Game 7.

SD: This game featured each team’s ace as Pedro Martinez faced Roger Clemens in a rematch from Game 3, where Clemens got the win, pitching six innings, allowing just two runs, and Martinez took the loss, allowing four runs in seven innings.

SR: The Red Sox were looking to snap The Curse Of The Bambino in The House That Ruth Built, and they looked strong early, gaining a 4-1 lead on a Trot Nixon home run, Jason Varitek scoring on an error, and a Kevin Millar home run. After looking strong in Game 3, Clemens was removed after facing three batters in the top of the fourth.

SD: The only New York offense came from Jason Giambi, whose solo home run in the bottom of the fifth and seventh kept the Yankees in the game, albeight slightly.

SR: Newcomer David Ortiz would match that with a home run in the top of the eighth to widen the lead back to three runs, 5-2.

SD: The scene is set. Boston leads 5-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning. Pedro gets the first out and it looks like he has just enough left in the tank, but then he allowed a double to Derek Jeter and an RBI single to Bernie Williams and that brought then Red Sox Manager Grady Little to the mound.

SR: Now, Pedro had pitched a marvelous game, facing no more than four Yankee batters an inning since the first inning. However, he did get hit around in the seventh, and with one out in the eighth, he had already thrown 15 pitches. Clearly, it was time to turn to the bullpen.

SD: Amazingly though, Little decided to keep Martinez in the game, later stating it was the best option they had. If that was the best option, I wonder what he had in the bullpen.

SR: Now, Martinez did get to 0-2 on Hideki Matsui, before Matsui smacks a ground rule double, putting runners on second and third with one out.

SD: Jorge Posada then comes up to face Martinez, and after working the count to 2-2, on Martinez’s 23^rd pitch of the inning, and what would be his last of the game, Posada doubles to center, bringing in both Williams and Matsui, tying the game 5-5.

SR: We talk a lot about momentum switching sides, and it truly did right there. Yankee fans felt they were winning, and Red Sox fans were hoping for the best, but had to be truly prepared for the worst. Nevertheless, the game was still far from over.

SD: The next two and a half innings went scoreless with little happening as Alan Embree, Mike Timlin, and Tim Wakefield shut down the Yankees and Mariano Rivera stopped the Red Sox.

SR: I find it funny, Little says he didn’t have anyone better, but right there he had three pitchers, who effectively stopped the Yankees for a short time. Just a bad overall management call by Little, and I guess it explains why he was fired after the season.

SD: Then came the bottom of the 11^th. Little left Wakefield in the game to face Aaron Boone, who had come into the game in the eighth as a pinch runner and had yet to have a plate appearance in the game.

SR: Being a knuckleball pitcher that most batters don’t deal with, and a starter who, up to that point in the game, had thrown one inning in the game, Wakefield had plenty left in him, but one pitch ended that quickly.

SD: Boone, a 2 for 16 hitter entering that moment, hit the first pitch he saw into the left field stands. A walk off Home Run in extra innings, what a way to end such a great game.

SR: Boone has since been remembered during every Yankees postseason, and while he won’t go down as one of the best hitters, he did just enough on one night to be remembered in Yankee lore, and postseason MLB history.

SD: This game had it all and that is why we have named it our number eight game of the decade. Stay tuned for the rest of our top ten coming up in the next few weeks. Any questions or concerns, feel free to email us at Derek@Sportmeisters.com or Ryan@Sportmeisters.com.

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October 15, 2009

ALCS Preview: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. New York Yankees

By Ryan of The Sportmeisters

About Los Angeles:

The Angels are in uncharted territory, as they usually see themselves on the losing end to the Boston Red Sox. That changed this year with a 3-0 sweep, and now a showdown with the other AL East competitor, the New York Yankees. For one of the teams that scored the most runs in the American League this season, they brought that mentality to the playoffs, scoring 16 runs in three games. They are an all around team, whether by hitting percentage (Bobby Abreu, .556, Erick Aybar, .364) or by power (Torii Hunter, one home run, three RBIs, Vladimir Guerrero, two RBIs). Defensively, P John Lackey is the stud, and proved it with a seven inning, four strikeouts, zero run effort in the ALDS. P Jered Weaver also threw seven strikeouts in seven innings during his Game Two victory. Brian Fuentes recorded two saves, and Darren Oliver gave up only one hit in 2.1 innings worked. The Angels are a stacked team from top to bottom.

About New York:

A year after missing the playoffs, the Yankees are back with a vengeance, and swept through Minnesota 3-0 to get to the ALCS. The Major League Baseball’s winningest record of 2009 also gets the home field advantage in the cozy confines on the new Yankee Stadium. The Yankees are led by the Captain, Derek Jeter, playing all-around ball (.400, four runs, two doubles, one home run, two RBIs), and the formerly slumping Alex Rodriguez (.455, two homeruns, six RBIs). All in all, the power packed Yankees have hit six home runs in three games. If the hitting isn’t working, usually, the pitching is, and it starts with the Ace, C.C. Sabathia. In his first postseason pinstripe performance, he threw 6.2 innings, giving up one run and striking out eight. A.J. Burnett threw six strikeouts and gave up one run in his win, and Andy Pettite took down seven in his ALDS victory. The team boasts a strong 7-8-9 pitching squad in Joba Chamberlain (1.2 innings, two hits, zero runs), Phillip Hughes, and Mariano Rivera (3.2 innings, one save, seven strikeouts, zero runs). The Yankees won two of their games in the seventh inning or later. If they can get the runs, this bullpen is lights out.

About The Matchup:

The series pits the two teams with the best AL record. In fact, these teams are so good, they split the season series 5-5. The Yankees were first in the AL in runs scored with 915, and the Angels were second with 883 , so both squads are able to put runs up. The Angels were also first in AL Batting Average, with .285, and the Yankees were second, at .283, so they get on base. Despite the Yankees having the lowest ERA of any playoff team (4.26), the Angels can be a distraction on the base path, with six players having double-digit steal totals. Chone Figgins leads the squad with 42, and former Yankee Bobby Abreu has 30. The Angels plan on going with a four man rotation, pitching John Lackey, Joe Saunders, Jered Weaver, and Scott Kazmir. The Yankees are hinting at a three man rotation, behind C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Andy Pettite. Should they go four starters, Chad Gaudin or Joba Chamberlain will get the start. Otherwise, look for Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and Mariano Rivera to shut down the offense.

The Pick:

The Yankees boast a complete team, but the Angels hit better, and are quicker, and have a stud rotation. The Yankees are known best for their walk-off wins, and might need some late inning matchup to get the win. Nevertheless, the Yankees in 7.

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October 7, 2009

MLB American League Division Preview: Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

By Ryan of The Sportmeisters

About The Boston Red Sox:

The 2007 World Series Champions look to regain their title after Tampa Bay knocked them out of the ALDS last season. They come in as the AL wild card, clinching it with a 95-67 record. This is a much different team than the 2007 Championship squad, but they have the tools to get back there. It starts with their pitching, behind Josh Beckett (17-6, 199 Ks) and Jon Lester (15-8, 225 Ks). Look for either Daisuke Matsuzaka or Clay Buchholz to get the game three start. Jason Bay is the new Manny Ramirez, and has shown up the former star quite well, with a .267 average and 36 home runs in 2009. He once again takes the pressure off of David Ortiz, who after struggling, bounced back with 28 home runs and 99 RBIs. Mid-season acquisition Victor Martinez, hitting .336 since being acquired by Boston, fills in nicely with Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, and the rest of the Boston squad, who are stacked from top to bottom. Despite some middle inning bullpen issues, if they can get to the eighth inning, look for Billy Wagner to set up nicely for lights-out closer Jonathon Papelbon (1.85 ERA, 38 saves).

About The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:

The AL West winner is still looking for title number two, but those pesky Red Sox are in the way again. The Angels finished the season at 97-65. Opting for a more patient at the plate approach has worked out for them, as they are second in the AL in runs scored and sixth in walks. Howie Kendrick has hit .379 since the All-Star break, but the addition of Bobby Abreu (.293, 103 RBIs), and the emergence of Kendry Morales (.306, 34 HRs, 108 RBIs), has helped the squad adjust to a declining Vladimar Gurerro. The starting pitching is so deep, 11-2 Matt Palmer is coming out of the bullpen. John Lackey needs to shake off his past performances against Boston (3-7, 5.00 ERA), so he can get out of game one with a win. The Angels bullpen is suspect, which explains why they lead the majors with six complete game shutouts. Look for some of their deep rotation to be thrown in middle and long relief.

The Matchup:

The Red Sox seems to have the Angels number in the playoffs, winning the last three series by nine games to one. However, Los Angeles isn’t worried about the past, as they took the season series 5-3, scoring 47 runs, a much greater output than the 16 they put in the three playoff series. Boston has a great pitching squad, and the Angels will have to preach heavy patience in order to tire them out. The Red Sox arguably have one of the best teams from top to bottom, but the Angels have a strong pitching presence, that, if they can work them into the late innings, will work in Anaheim’s favor.

The Pick:

This series could start Wednesday or Thursday, depending on the play-off game in the AL Central. Either way, both teams are ready, and Los Angeles is extremely excited to shake off the three-playoff series losing sreak. However, I don’t see Boston letting that happen, and Boston wins it in five.

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