New York Yankees @ Boston Redsox (game 5)
These two teams meet in an afternoon matchup for the final game at Fenway (at least for this series for you Boston fans out there). What is surprising that these two sides have high powered lineups yet the under has cashed in every game. Simply amazing considering both teams were in the top 5 of almost every major offensive category during the regular season.
Boston caught a break with the weather and the watering of the outfield for three hours prior to the rains on Sunday allowing them to adjust their starting rotation. The rains were forecasted and it makes one wonder if the outfield was given a good soaking prior to the rains with the groundstaff, front office and playing staff knowing that Fenway is one of the worst draining stadiums in all of major league baseball ?
This afternoon, Boston manager Grady Little is going back to right hander Derrick Lowe who has an ERA of 4.42. Little is going with Lowe today as opposed to Thursday in Yankee stadium for one simple fact, Lowe stinks on the road. He is 6-5 this season with an ERA of 6.11 away from Fenway, but at Fenway, well we have a different story. Lowe shines as he is 11-2 with a 3.21 ERA. The reverse is true for Yankees starter David Wells. Perhaps, Wells is afraid of the Yankee fans, perhaps he is just too hung over from going out in New York City the night before, whatever the reason, Wells is a much better pitcher away from Yankee stadium as his 11-4 3.30 ERA would indicate.
A great case for the under here right? Scared bats, all under games thus far in the series. These two teams offenses are very capable of being potent as their offensive numbers from the regular season would indicate. I should also point out that previous to this series, 4 of their last 5 ballgames soared way over the posted total. So one would think their bats will have to start swinging sometime right?
A little information about the batting numbers so far in the series. The Yankees last 10 games have seen their lineup hit a cumulative .237 vs. righties and .267 vs. lefties. The Sox are hitting .250 vs. righties and a dismal .202 vs. lefties. When comparing this to their .268 and .284 batting averages on the year, we have an anomaly folks, a flat out freak of nature. Can this go on?
Yes, I see no reason, Both Lowe and Wells have commanding stuff, both offensive line ups har giving up to many cheap outs. Boston stealing bases when they have verey poor speed and leaving runners on base in clutch situations. Last night it was the turn of the Pin Stripes to leave all the runners on base. Pitching and defense wins the day again.
On a personnal note I do hope this series moves onto game 7 when fireworks WILL HAPPEN and Yankees will have advantage from the very first innings. It has been said and heard that Clemens has been instructed, infact ordered by Steinbrenner to hit one of the Boston hitters in the very first innings, therefore getting both pitchers and managers a warning that the next batter that is hit they are out of the game. This will take away the inside pitching that Pedro so much likes to use. No pre match warnings were given out for last nights game and I expect this to continue. You can guarantee that after last Saturday, Clemens has been biding his time, and this will come in top of the first on Thursday. Hold onto your head Johnny, you may be seeing stars again so soon after the last time as the Rocket is launched.
These two teams meet in an afternoon matchup for the final game at Fenway (at least for this series for you Boston fans out there). What is surprising that these two sides have high powered lineups yet the under has cashed in every game. Simply amazing considering both teams were in the top 5 of almost every major offensive category during the regular season.
Boston caught a break with the weather and the watering of the outfield for three hours prior to the rains on Sunday allowing them to adjust their starting rotation. The rains were forecasted and it makes one wonder if the outfield was given a good soaking prior to the rains with the groundstaff, front office and playing staff knowing that Fenway is one of the worst draining stadiums in all of major league baseball ?
This afternoon, Boston manager Grady Little is going back to right hander Derrick Lowe who has an ERA of 4.42. Little is going with Lowe today as opposed to Thursday in Yankee stadium for one simple fact, Lowe stinks on the road. He is 6-5 this season with an ERA of 6.11 away from Fenway, but at Fenway, well we have a different story. Lowe shines as he is 11-2 with a 3.21 ERA. The reverse is true for Yankees starter David Wells. Perhaps, Wells is afraid of the Yankee fans, perhaps he is just too hung over from going out in New York City the night before, whatever the reason, Wells is a much better pitcher away from Yankee stadium as his 11-4 3.30 ERA would indicate.
A great case for the under here right? Scared bats, all under games thus far in the series. These two teams offenses are very capable of being potent as their offensive numbers from the regular season would indicate. I should also point out that previous to this series, 4 of their last 5 ballgames soared way over the posted total. So one would think their bats will have to start swinging sometime right?
A little information about the batting numbers so far in the series. The Yankees last 10 games have seen their lineup hit a cumulative .237 vs. righties and .267 vs. lefties. The Sox are hitting .250 vs. righties and a dismal .202 vs. lefties. When comparing this to their .268 and .284 batting averages on the year, we have an anomaly folks, a flat out freak of nature. Can this go on?
Yes, I see no reason, Both Lowe and Wells have commanding stuff, both offensive line ups har giving up to many cheap outs. Boston stealing bases when they have verey poor speed and leaving runners on base in clutch situations. Last night it was the turn of the Pin Stripes to leave all the runners on base. Pitching and defense wins the day again.
On a personnal note I do hope this series moves onto game 7 when fireworks WILL HAPPEN and Yankees will have advantage from the very first innings. It has been said and heard that Clemens has been instructed, infact ordered by Steinbrenner to hit one of the Boston hitters in the very first innings, therefore getting both pitchers and managers a warning that the next batter that is hit they are out of the game. This will take away the inside pitching that Pedro so much likes to use. No pre match warnings were given out for last nights game and I expect this to continue. You can guarantee that after last Saturday, Clemens has been biding his time, and this will come in top of the first on Thursday. Hold onto your head Johnny, you may be seeing stars again so soon after the last time as the Rocket is launched.
Hey they have to make up for that lack off range somehow.
