I Like the Sox for obvious reasons
I Like the Sox for obvious reasons
But seriously...Yankee Stadium was built for the Red Sox Lineup. I really think the Sox are very comfortable playing there. And vice versa Fenway was built for Yankee Hitters:
Short Right Field Porch Benefits:
Ortiz-but he does have serious opp. field power. He can and will pull the ball.
Nixon-Big Time advantage dead pull hitter vs RHP
Muller-hits better from Left vs RHP but higher power #'s from R
Walker-showed pop at the stadium vs RHP Pull Hitter
Manny-this park was built for him with his power to Right Center
Varitek-had warning track power from Left vs RHP at Fenway but we all know Fenway has the longest Right Field(straight away not Pesky's Pole) Fench in MLB at 380 feet. I believe Yank Stad is 360-362 dead right.
Green Monster Benefits
Soriano
Jeter
Bernie Williams
Posada-vs lefty relievers...although the Sox would be stupid to pitch a lefty against him and turn him around at Fenway...smart at the Stadium though.
Aaron Boone
Red Sox Pitching has faired better at the Stadium.
Burkett has pitched ok there
Wakefield enjoys it
Pedro has been so-so versus Yank we all know that
Lowe has had some decent starts at the Stadium but has been terrible on the road there.
Here's how the Sox would like it. 2-3-2 series
Go 1-1 first two games on Road
Go 2-1 at Fenway
Try to win game 6 but set it up where you have Pedro for Game 7 if needed but if you have an early lead in Game 6, Bring in Pedro to shut it down. The Sox can easily have a 3-2 lead in the series after 5 games. But the can easily get swept too. That's the beauty of baseball. Never Know.
Here's how'd they'd like the pitching rotation to pan out.
Game 1: Wakefield to win game 1, up 1-0 on the Road you can pitch Burkett in game 2, if we lose game 1 Pedro pitches 2 on short rest.
Game 2: Burkett if we win 1, Pedro if we lose.
Game 3 Fenway: Pedro if we won game 1, Lowe if we lost game 1, Lowe has been stellar at Fenway. You know we'll have the Grass Nice and Fluffy and the dirt in front of home plate nice and MUDDY. Sox win Game 3 with Lowe or Pedro.
Game 4 Fenway: If everything is going as planned Lowe pitches Game 4. Like I said above...grounds crew keeps Fenway perfect for ground balls and he has been great at home this year.
Game 5: If things are going as planned and the series is 3-1 we might want to consider starting Suppan. Wakefield has really struggled at Fenway. If the series is 2-2 or worse that means Pedro Probably pitched game 2 and will be the Game 5 Starter.
Game 6 Stadium: if Sox are up 3-2(hopefully they can win in 5!!!) Wakefield will be the Game 6 starter no matter what I believe, but as long as things have gone well Pedro and Lowe will be available for relief. I think they'll be more likely to go to Pedro if leading after 5-7 and he feels strong. Can't look back if up 3-2 in the series and you're on the road. All this said, I believe the cards are falling into the right places for favorable pitching matchups. Whatever happen Pedro will be fine as long as he doesn't face Mussina.
Game 7 Stadium: Pedro or Lowe. Tough spot for Lowe if it comes down to it.
With all this said I believe the Sox are an extremely good value for the Series. I will be back shortly with Prices as I am off to wager mall to see how BAD YANKEE FANS have bets this thing out of whack.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL.
