Baseball '07
 

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Baltimore Orioles

2006 Record: 70-92; Fourth place, American League East.

2007 Projected Record: 85-77; Third place, American League East.

Coming off of a disappointing season, the Orioles made some offseason moves that, though minor when it comes to headlines, could be very important when it comes to avoiding a tenth straight losing season.

Pitching:

Over the past several years, the Orioles had a goal of developing a pitching staff from within the organization. That plan took a step forward last season with the emergence of Erik Bedard as an ace. In addition, former first-round pick Adam Loewen showed promise coming up from AA in late May, then sticking for good after the All-Star Break, including a sub-4 ERA August.

With Daniel Cabrera, who had 157 strikeouts in 148 innings and a 4.74 ERA but who's league-leading 104 walks got him sent to AAA for a short time mid-season, the Orioles have three young starters who, if things go as expected, could give them the best top-three in the division.

To help the Orioles recover from the three-headed disaster of Rodrigo Lopez, Bruce Chen, and Russ Ortiz, who gave the team a combined 328 innings and 6.53 ERA, mostly from the number-four and -five spots in the rotation, the Orioles traded for Jaret Wright from the Yankees, who paid most of his salary, to pair with Kris Benson as veterans in the rotation. However, Benson came to spring training injured, and was replaced by former Mets starter Steve Trachsel.

The bullpen was given one of the most drastic overhauls possible, with only one reliever that was with the team the whole season remaining, closer Chris Ray. Ray was tenth in the league in saves with 33, and a 2.73 ERA. Just about everyone else, however, was replaced.

A total of almost $40 million was spent on the bullpen in the forms of Danys Baez, Chad Bradford, Scott Williamson, and Jamie Walker. From within the Orioles added Brian Burress, who pitched late in the season for the Orioles, and John Parrish, who would have made the team last year, but was injured. Also added is Jeremy Guthrie, a former number-one pick of the Indians who was signed to a minor-league deal but wowed the team with a 1.50 ERA in fifteen spring-training innings.

Lineup:

One of the biggest criticisms of the Orioles' minor-league system over the years has been a complete lack of position prospects that have major-league success. The Orioles did not develop a single one on their own between Cal Ripken in 1982 and Brian Roberts a couple years ago. While this is still an issue, a gem was found last season in the form of outfielder Nick Markakis.

Markakis finished the season with a .291 average, 16 home runs, 62 RBIs, and a .799 OPS, made all the more impressive considering he was batting .219 with two home runs and a .615 OPS going into June. He will be the number-three hitter in the lineup ahead of Miguel Tejada and his .330/24/100 season with an .877 OPS.

Second baseman Brian Roberts, fully recovered from the catastrophic arm injury suffered in September 2005 when Bubba Crosby collided with him and nearly tore the arm off, will lead-off, with third baseman Melvin Mora batting second. After Markakis and Tejada will be free-agent Aubrey Huff, coming off two down seasons with Tampa Bay and Houston, and expected to play first base. Catcher Ramon Hernandez, second to Tejada with 23 home runs last season, bats sixth. Jay Gibbons, starting the season as the left fielder but expected to be mostly a DH, will bat seventh. Kevin Millar starts the season batting eighth as the DH. Corey Patterson, coming off of a season where he started on the bench and ended up surprising everyone with 16 home runs, 45 steals and great defense, finishes the lineup.

The reason the seven and eight spots are listed as questions is because of Jay Payton. Signed to be the everyday left fielder, he was injured late in spring training and will miss the beginning of the season. When he returns he will bat eighth in left field with Gibbons and Millar sharing the seventh spot and DH.

Starting the season on the bench will be infielder Chris Gomez, who is not expected to repeat his .341 average, .826 OPS 2006 season, infielder/outfielder Freddie Bynum, and catcher Paul Bako.

The small bench and large pitching staff is needed because of a dearth of off-days early in this season, and a need for insurance for the starting pitching, which has several members not noted for going deep into games.

Overall:

The Orioles have a chance to compete this year. New York and Boston both have questions with their pitching, Toronto looks to have tread water, if anything, and Tampa Bay has no proven pitching beyond Scott Kazmir.

A lot has to go right, and there is almost no chance for a division title with all of that money ahead of them, but as long as those three young starters continue to improve, and the bullpen and lineup can be at the very least league average, this looks like a mid-80s-win team that will be in the wild card race until close to the end with the potential for much more.

As the Tigers proved last season, there is a reason we play the games.

Los Angeles Dodgers:

Barring any injuries, we will win it all.

The End.

Just got back from Angels opening night, and a Halo victory 4-1. Nothing like opening day.

Of course, I think the Angels will come out of the west this year but it will be us and Oakland as usual down to the wire.

My predictions:

AL West: Angels
AL Central: Tigers
AL East: Red Sox
AL Wild Card: Yankees

NL West: Dodgers
NL Central: Cubs
NL East: NY Mets
NL Wild Card: Phillies

ALCS: Tigers over Angels
NLCS: NY Mets over Phillies

WS: Mets over Tigers

NL MVP: Albert Pujols
AL MVP: David Ortiz

NL Cy Young: Dontrelle Willis
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana

NL Rookie of the Year: Troy Tulowitski (Colorado)
AL Rookie of the Year: Alex Gordon (KC)

:rolleyes:

Not with Gonzo out there booting balls. Look, the Dodgers have a great pitching staff but the bats are a bunch of wet noodles. They have one of the best farm systems in baseball and are afraid to use it.

They should also be more than a little concerned by Schmidt's inability to find his fastball so far. He's throwing in the high 80's and his high fb is going to get slammed in LA.

The DBacks will take the West and are primed for several years of dominance. Chris B Young for ROY.

The Dodgers are great at bringing up talent, then trading it away. I have heard a lot of hype about them, but perhaps only because the rest of the NL West ain't so hot either.

Baseball is back, and my stinkin cable company has no MLB packace. What's an Angels fan in Colorado supposed to do???

I don't understand why many different websites and so called "experts" are picking the Angels to win the AL W.

The A's lost really only 2 people, Zito, and Frank Thomas. While Piazza is obviously on the decline, hitting as a DH should help him stay healthy and he might come close to the numbers that Thomas put up last season.

Losing Zito does hurt, but Harden is healthy so that is almost an even trade off in my eyes.

Bobby Crosby is back, and Chavez is playing healthy right now as well, so if those guys hold up then I really see no reason that the A's cannot repeat as AL W champions.


You can thank DirecTV for that one, they obtained the exclusive rights to the MLB package just like they did for the NFL.

You can look into mlb.tv I had it last year and found it very nice, as an online option for watching A's games here in Columbus, OH

The A's definately can repeat, but it will be a tough race vs. The Angels.

Look at the Angles...
Outfield, Anderson (who finally looks to be healthy again) Matthews, and Guerrero. All are power hitters and good at fielding as well.

Figgins (when he returns) is the second best leadoff guy in baseball, and plays any position except pitcher or catcher. If Caberera can come back to his 2005 form, thats good, Kennedy was getting old, Kendrick is a natural 2nd baseman, should fit. Kotchman at 1st shows promise, he even cracked a homer to dead center last night, not a bad start for a player who "doesn't have homerun power."

Then there's pitching, once Colon and Jered Weaver are back, I defy anyone to show me a better 5 man rotation. And the bullpen is rated #1 in the AL.

They are a tough lineup, I'm looking forward to a great season. Look out Oakland!

Zito is probably the most overrated pitcher in the game. The A's won't miss him too much.

Most 'expert' predictions rely more on names than actuall talent. Baseball is notorious for the experts not being able to tell a player is in decline. As a result, people live off of their rep for years before anyone can tell that they are done. See Luis Gonzalez, Steve Finley.

You talk about Anderson, Figgins being healthy, along with Colon and Weaver, as well as Cabrera returning to form and 2 young guys living up to potential in Kendrick and Kotchman. While that is great, I see too many if/and/maybes with them. And with Matthews I say oh well, he isn't anything special, a journeyman OF who is with his 8th team and I think the Angels way overpaid to get him, he had one good year and they dropped some serious coin on him, now he has that HGH stuff hanging over his head, not good..

With the A's you get a decent albeit declining guy in Piazza to replace a guy who was in the exact same boat he is now in Thomas, Crosby is an injury issue as with some of the guys on the Angels, outside of that, they are returning the exact same team. I just see many more question marks on the Angels than the A's but I do agree it is a 2 team division one of those two will win it.

The Gary Matthews deal was just plain foolish. $50M and he will be 37 in the final year of the contract. He's never hit that well (OPS+ 109, 96, 119 in the last three years). Who wants a 37 yr old OF that won't be able to hit and makes $12M

It was just a bad year for teams looking for free agents this season. So many teams are going to regret the moves they made (Cubs especially)

Yes, admittedly the Cubs will suck. However, suck will be an improvement over "God, my eyes" from last year.

Anderson IS healthy, if he wasn't, he never would have come into home plate the way he did last night. He'll be fine. Figgins, Colon and Weaver are all on a 15 day DL, with Colon being the only one expected to lag a little. Figgins and Weaver are fine, Colon is the only question mark. But when he's on his game, the guy is an ace, 'nuff said. As for Matthews, overpriced? Probably Overhyped? Maybe. Better than Erstad in CF? Yes. Erstad was a great player, but his knees are gone, and even if Matthews doesn't win the batting crown, he'll contribute. MontanaXVI, if you want to place some "credits" on the season, I'm game.

I'm glad to see Zito go from the A's. I always HATED to watch that Goddamn rainbow curveball of his just drift into the strike zone while the batter just stands there. It looks so hittable, but apparently isn't. Zito surely isn't a power guy, he's finesse. Can't wait to see him burn the Dodgers.

BTW, we're only a day and a half into the season, let's enjoy watching some ball, eh?

Is it to early to expect Reisdorf to wave the white flag on the South Side?

Well, that's what happens when you pay $136 million for a second baseman to play the outfield, swings at balls thrown toward the light standard, and walks about as often as a 900-pound man permanently melding into a couch.

I see another huge year for the Pujols and the Cardinals. That lineup is loaded with good hitters. The Mets also have a great shot at winning it all.

The Cardinals are weak. They have so many holes in their rotation and lineup it's funny. Instead of going into the free agent market and picking up some pitchers, they try to fix it from inside. Guess what? It's not going to be pretty.


All I really care about is seeing if the Bo'Sox can play like they look on paper. If they stay healthy, it may be another fabulous year for the Nation. :D

I think everyone's overlooking the Indians.

The Indians have a great lineup from top to bottom including the bench players......

Their pitching no other team I can think of has a rotation as strong.

I think the Indians are going to have the AL Central wrapped up for a few years to come.

I think the Indians will be a good team. However I don't think they have the best rotation. For right now, I'll give that to Atlanta. ATL also has the best bullpen in baseball.

Then of course I'd put the Bo'Sox ahead of the Indians rotation :p

Perhaps the biggest reason the Angels will not win it all is the manager Mike Scoscia. He contantly makes mistakes in the management of his bullpen - which arguably is among the best in baseball. I can give you two examples. First, game 2 against the Rangers. Angels up 8-3 top of the eighth inning. He brings in Scot Shields, who worked the night before and with a day game the next day. Shields works two innings. Scoscia has others in the bullpen, including Chris Bootcheck and Frankie. Why not give Shield the time off, save him for the next 5 games in a row perhaps, and give the young guy the chance for some experience. Oh no, use up Shields just like he did last year...

Secondly, last night. Again, he brings in Shields with the game tied in the 8th. OK - I understand that - although he had alot of other choices. Shields does his thing and holds the lead and Scoscia brings in Frankie for a TIED 9th inning. Frankie gives up the gopher ball and game over. This scenario was repeated last year and lead to at least 5 losses (Overuse/unnecessary use of Shields and premature/unnecessary use of Frankie.)

I just don't get it.

I don't see what is so great about Cleveland's rotation. Sabathia is as good as most aces, Byrd and Westbrook are league average guys, Sowers could be a great pitcher but he needs to learn to strike guys out.

It's is deep and good but not great.

So far and granted it's the first week these guys have been unhittable. Their only loss came because their billpen couldn't throw strikes.

And runs...... woooo baby they are gonna score some runs this year.

No Surrender: How can you fault the decision to bring in Shields? Shields is the backbone of that bullpen, and by far the easiest decision to go with in nearly any 7th or 8th inning cenreio, either with a tie or the lead. 8-3 is a big lead, but it could evaporate in a heartbeat if you put in unproven players, and you sure as hell don't go to the closer there. Shields plays a lot of innings, always has. If he wasn't ready, the bullpen coach wouldn't let him even warm up. Now, in a tie game going into the bottom of the 9th, its is a no-brainer to put in your closer. Every manager in baseball will make that decision. Besides the homer wasn't Scoscia's fault, K-Rod threw a dead-red fastball right down Broadway and if anyone can hit those, its a veteran like Piazza.

Besides, the Angles swept the Texas series and played well vs. Oakland in game 1 and slammed them in game 2. Were talking about the first 5 games here, where Angles have won 4 of them. I think this isn't exactly the time to be pointing fingers of blame on a team that... A. Doesen't even have all their starters playing yet and... B. Starts out at 4-1.

So far so good, I say.

Woo-hoo! Two of three from the Yankees! (And it should have been a sweep!)

I think they have the worst starting rotation in the division right now.

Dodgers sweep the Giants.

Once we get the individual pieces clicking together, we'll be unstoppable. It looks like the pitching is getting some momentum. Now, we just need Pierre and Nomar to start hitting.

DBacks pulled a 4 game sweep on the Nationals. Great series, just dominated them all four games.

Randy is coming back on April 19. I'm so pumped. I saw him in his first start this season (exhibition game at Chase Field). He was fucking dominant. His slider has the bite again and he was fooling batters left and right.

Dang, that was quite a 4 game series with the Angles Vs, A's. 3 of the 4 games decided by only one run.

And if anyone had told me before this series that freakin' Mike Piazza would have gone 10 for 16 in the 4 games I would have bet my house against it. I'll give credit when credit is due, that dude was ON FIRE, it didn't matter who was on the mound, he ate Angel pitching alive. I can only hope he was just on a hot streak, because if he keeps doing that against my team, that spells trouble down the road.

Beane was very smart to get Piazza. He's going to really benefit from being a DH.

Disturbing news for the Dodgers from Rotoworld:

Jason Schmidt left his start in the fifth inning Monday with a right hamstring injury.
Schmidt had to speed up on the way to cover first base after Nomar Garciaparra bobbled a routine grounder and injured his hamstring in the process. Mark Hendrickson replaced him and likely would move into the rotation if Schmidt lands on the DL.

and

Matt Kemp has been taken to the hospital for X-rays on his shoulder.
We'll find out after whether he suffered a dislocation while crashing into the wall during Monday's game.

That's ok. We have Hendrickson and Billingsley in the wing. And if an position player goes down, we can do some rotation and bring up LONEY!!!!

Ah, the eternal optimist, Halx. The fighting Nomars will have to get by the buzzsaw that is the Arizona Diamondbacks. I just don't see the Dodgers doing much this season. Too many brittle bodies on that roster to stay healthy through mid-October. Nomar will be on the DL by mid-May.

then he gets replaced by LONEY!!!

Hmm
 

What was that buzzsaw comment about the Diamondbacks?

I can't hear you...

hehe looks like the A's aren't the only team you need to worry about. My Sox destroyed your Angels.

The angels have more to worry about than pitching..they better tighten up on defense. Looks like they started right where they left off last year.. last in defense.

pfffft, Penny is on fire, facing a team where half the players are slumping and Edgar is practically trying to lose his rotation spot to Owings (today's pitcher). Young, Drew, Jackson, and the catchers will work out of their slumps and this team will score runs like crazy. We got Carlos Quentin back last night, that kid's a badass.

I was bummed that Gonzo was able to get that assist at home (aided by a rocket by Furcal) but was happy that Gonzo at least went 0-4 including a K with the bases loaded.

Ummmm.... yeah.... I had a feeling I was going to hear it from a Boston fan after that series. Although, it wasn't JUST poor fielding that haunted us there, Boston pitching owned Angel hitters. Even if fielding was perfect, Bosox would have won all 3 games played. Lucky for me, the one game was rained out, perhaps the makeup game will salvage a win.

I'm just glad I didn't have a bet going with anyone on that series...

Hey don't feel bad; Boston pitching will be owning a lot of teams this year ;)

Man, A-rod is on fire right now. I can't stand the guy but I have to give him props.

The Red Sox/Yankees game was awesome as always. A-rod put on a show but in the end, it was our guys that came out on top. Okajima did an outstanding job getting the heavy order out. Sox should take at least 2 out of 3 for this series.

Rivera just doesn't look good this year. It might just be his lack of work so far, but then he's never really that great against the Bo'Sox

ARod is insane this year. I don't think the Yanks need to panic about Rivera yet, 7 appearances isn't much of a sample size. Especially when you consider that he was lights out in 5 of them.

I know it's early to count Rivera out, but even though he's seen little work this year, I have to wonder what happens if the Yankees pitching/bullpen doesn't improve. If he starts having to come in the 8th for even 1 out to get to the 9th, will he be effective??

He always has problems with the Red Sox so I'm not real worried as far as that goes.

All I know is the Yankees bullpen is in trouble, and hopefully it will stay that way. They are on pace to have 600+ innings of work. That's way more than a club with that much money should have in relief.

Geez.

Red Sox need bullpen help. Yankees need bullpen help. Toronto needs bullpen help. Tampa Bay needs bullpen help.

Seems like there's one team in the AL East that DOESN'T need bullpen help...the one in second place :D

check back in after the break when Baltimore has fallen a few spots ;)

Bullpen help is probably the most common need for ALL teams.

Amazing week for my DBacks, currently on a 5 game win streak. It all got started by a Stephen Drew walkoff from Hoffman. They won games pitched by some of the top pitchers: Peavy, Young, Zito, Cain, and Morris.

They now get to face LA and a bullpen that just went through a 17 inning game. I hope they can get Wolf's pitch count high and have him out by the 6th inning.

2ND BEST RECORD IN BASEBALL BABY, TOPS IN THE A.L. TAKING 8 OF 9 SERIES..... AND THEY HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED HITTING YET......

add that to Lebron and the Cavs and the Browns draft.....

dare I say it???????


2007 THE YEAR CLEVELAND COMES BACK TO LIFE

:thumbsup:

(btw: the Jake and her fans are awakening and that place is starting to rock like it did in the 90's. WE WILL WE WILL ROCK YOU)

*YAWN*

What was that Pan?? Sorry I couldn't hear you.. I think it was the chant of "It's too early in the season to call anything" ringing in my ears.

Clevland will fall after the break. Mark it down.

pan: SSH!! You're going to jinx us.

gucci: GO TO HELL. :)

Cleveland has a basketball team?

Yeah and arguably the best player in basketball.

Plus a football team that in the 1st round of the draft got a very strong offensive tackle and what some say is a franchise QB.

Plus a baseball team now going 9-1 in their last 10, best record in all of baseball and their bats are just now waking up......

It's a great time to be a Cleveland fan.

If you're going to start calling LeBron arguably the best player in basketball, you might as well hook your IV up to ESPN for some more wonderful opinions. He's good, but he's got a few hurdles to jump before he's even in the top 5.

BUT that's basketball.

In other news... Dodgers are doing quite well without Schmidt. And they're doing it how I imaged; holding teams to low scores and inching a bit further. The offense will come soon.

The Giants put Ortiz on the dl and might be calling up Lincecum. Their starters look amazing with him replacing the donut boy.

And.. here comes The Rocket on his white horse and shiny armor to save the hapless yankees. Pfft.. good luck Clemens..you can't win em all.

I was a bit pissed when he didn't choose Boston because frankly, I'd love to see him end his career there. However, I knew he wouldn't get what he wanted in Boston money wise or rotation wise.

And How! - NHL playoffs AND Baseball....

Look to the Jays to make a run for it. Better than second in the east this year.

I think it's bullshit that this half season crap is allowed by MLB. If you are healthy then play the whole year.

The Cubs are above .500! The Cubs are above .500! They actually swept the Nationals over the weekend, and the bullpen is starting to look less and less like an amputees' convention. Sure Prior and Wood are injured, but that was a given, and their high points were 4 years ago.

I'm not making the call for playoff tickets any time soon, but if they keep playing like this, they'll move up in what's probably the weakest division in baseball. And they've got a better record than the White Sox, which makes me even happier.

well.. MLB isn't going to complain because of the money involved.

I don't like it either (well.. only because he's not on the Bo'Sox) but there's more important issues for MLB to work out first.

The problem is, sometimes you get legitimate free agents who are not signed before the season, and teams sign them later on.

Clemens' situation is really no different then anyone else's, except for his stature. You cannot make a rule for him without affecting too many others.

(Of course, considering he isn't the horse he used to be and that is what the Yankees REALLY need to save their bullpen, he probably will matter little in terms of the playoffs: the bats will carry that team where it will go.)

But for that kind of money - $28,000,000 for half a season? Why don't the Yanks put their season on the back of another Texas great - Ryan.

Because he's about a decade older, and hasn't been pitching? :p

Money is no object for the Yankees; they just sent their multimillion-dollar Japanese pitcher to Single-A.

It sure is quiet in here when the Cleveland and Baltimore fans aren't yapping :p

Cleveland is still winning baby, I just have a honeymoon to plan and a Rev. Sharpton to yell about.

Plus, yeah they did just lose only their second series this week to California (damn Anaheim..... wait oops errrrr LA...... fuck it the Angels that team Disney owned), the bats are still dead and Sowers is turning into a bust.... but it's still early and a great time to be a Cleveland fan.

Lebron and the Cavs get closer and will beat the Nets tonight and we have a Joe Thomas and Brady Quinn to get ready......

Life is still good for the sports fan in NE Ohio.

Now for Clemens.... I think it is a travesty baseball is allowing this. The first year he did it it was cool but now???????

But it's all good one of these years (quite possibly this one) he'll fall apart. I'm actually happy Houston didn't sign him, I don't think Houston can spend that kind of money and hold on to Oswalt, who is younger and just as good if not getting better than Clemens is today and Boston doesn't need Clemens.... The Yankees may have just paid a God awful sum to a broken down workhorse......

That's right, Angels baby! Matthews Jr. OWNES Cleveland.

All things considered, the Halos have been consistently... inconsistent. A surge of offense followed by a lull. Not to mention more than their fair share of early season injuries. Still good enough to be first place in the AL West.

BTW, when did Milwaukee get so freakin good? 24-10? Mercy!

Don't they do this all the time?? They make it a habit.

It's not hard to have the top record in baseball when you play in the worst division in baseball ;)

I'm proud of my Bo'Sox! If they can stay healthy and not slump at the right time.. I'll be trying to buy tickets come October :)

God, the Sox are about to lose to the Orioles. I thought they were the GOOD team.

(By the way, that would be the second-place Orioles, who will be six games out after tonight (and four out after Sunday ;).)

You think the Orioles are going to win a series?? Well I guess we could let them have something good this season. I mean it's going to suck for the O's when they go from second to 4th by the end of the year.

We have nothing to worry about with Trachsel pitching for the O's today.

The O's aren't that bad we only took 2 of 3 from them.

Now who has the best record?? :D :D

The Bo'Sox are playing amazing baseball right now. I just hope they can keep it up.

I tried to warn all the O's fans not to get too excited.. even the pitiful yanks are ahead of them.

Clevland will get a little help by the Sox destroying Detroit.. but Detroit will come out on top in that division.

OK Hal... Freeway series starts tonight. I got $20 on the Halos for the series.

You have never seen your Halos so futile as they will be going up against my pitching.

That's $20 wasted if you ask me. The Angels look like crap right now.

All 5 starting pitchers healthy... (Lackey 4th best ERA in MLB)
Colon is 5-0...
Guerrero is killing all opponents...
Rodriguez is 12/13 saves...
First place in the AL West...


Yeah, I'd say they look like crap too. If by crap you mean they should be further ahead in the division than they already are.

I mean, they just don't look as good as I thought they would. We both know the Angel's have major defensive issues... and those issues are going to bite eventually..

Tonight is Brad Penny (Cy Young at this point) versus.. who?
Assuming Hendrickson takes his Prozac tomorrow, we'll be good for the whole series.

I was going to say to be patient with Sowers because he's only 24 but I took another look at his major and minor league stats. The kid can't buy a strikeout. Every year in the minors his K/9 got worse. You can't be a successful MLB pitcher if you can't get a strikeout.

True, Santana is the "weakest" of the Halo's 5 starters, but he has good stuff and is VERY good at home.

As the saying goes... Play ball!

Well that was crap. *eats foot*

OK, Blue fans, yer 0 fer 2. Halos going for the sweep. Not bad for a team that looks like crap.

No not bad. If only we can actually score the people we get to 3rd.

So this weekend I got 10-1 odds from a Bosox fan on a possible ALDS battle between the Red Sox and the Indians. What is it about Red Sox fans that makes them so supportive and arrogant in May and so dismissive and quiet in September?

I suppose it's better than being dismissive and quiet the entire year ;)

THE JAKE IS COMING ALIVE.........................

Has anyone else had a chance to see Randy Johnson lately? His first couple of starts were quite rough. Most likely he wasn't ready to come back yet but since then he has been fucking monster. In his last start he was hitting 96 at times and he's striking out batters in bunches.

DBacks' bats are finally coming back to life. Pen is fucking dominant. They are in a really good position right now.

I'm just going to continue to sit back quietly, and let all those out there who have no idea just how scary CLE can be. Our offense is still heating up, we have depth, we have starters and one more comming back.

We could use an additional bullpen, but who couldnt?

I often smile when we get to that 2 out mark, for that just seems to ignite our bats.

Been a tribe fan all my life just about and I've seen ups and downs. This year is definitly one of those ups that we havnt seen in a while.

By all means, you all can keep pretending the Indians are nothing special. We'll just give you a mop for all those tears you'll be crying when we leave you behind.

Tigers fans, ggs! If you would have some of your pitchers off the DL it might have been a 2/3 or even 1/3 in your home park. But thats baseball ya know?

For you BoSox fans out there who dont have the similar Yankee-ego, good luck over the next 3 days. Both of our teams will be needing it. These games are going to rock! (Go easy on Sowers okay? :) hehe )

That and ESPN can suck a donkeys dick. I miss old Baseball Tonight, now its BoSox & Yankees Tonight. I dont ask for major CLE coverage, I ask for fair and intelligent coverage.

Who's pretending the indians are nothing special? Their lineup is pretty much the same as Boston's as far as working counts and wearing pitchers out and they have plenty of power. Their pitching is decent, but maybe not quite on the Red Sox level. I think they will probably win the central and once you're in the playoffs anything can happen (even a senior circuit team winning the world series!). The Sox just got exceptional pitching from their starters the last two days, but they also did have their best hitter sitting both games too. Never thought you'd be cursing Kevin Youk did you?

I'm pretending the Indians are nothing special. I think they are just a flash in the pan. I really don't see them maintaining consistency after the break. I could be wrong, and the only reason I hope so is because I'd like to see Trot on a good winning team. Clevland's hitters aren't even close to the caliber of the Bo'Sox hitters in my biased opinion. The pitching, well that's an obvious one. Of course, it's all about staying healthy.

Destrox, you're right so far.. these games have been fun :D

I think you're right about the quality of hitters on Cleveland being lower than those of Boston, gucci. And I think that probably has something to do with the Red Sox payroll being double that of the Indians. A small market team like Cleveland can't afford to keep a lunatic like Manny on forever; we simply don't have the dollars to pay one guy a third of our total payroll. But what that means is you guys can't complain about the Yankees payroll anymore. You're part of the evil empire now.

Why can't you afford it? If the jake is such a great ballpark and the team is doing well, then your upper management isn't doing a good enough job to get the revenue in; or isn't willing to spend the money.

Fuck the yankees and the evil empire. They're still 50+million over Boston's payroll and they are shit. I don't think it matters when it comes down to dollars, it's how you actually manage the funds you have. While Cleveland has added some good kids.. the management needs to up the ante a bit and add 1 or 2 more players that could have a serious season impact.

Either way, it's not like I have the chance to gloat that often .. so let me have my fun :D

Here's why we can't afford it: When was the last time the Fen didn't sell out? How many people are there walking around with Sox gear in cities other than Boston?

Now ask the same question about the Jake and Indians gear. Cleveland isn't full up of rich people who can afford season tickets. The nation didn't jump on the Indians bandwagon like people did on the Sox. Crying about the curse for 80 god damn years made you jerks seem likeable for some stupid reason, and then you won after a decade of huge payroll and people acted like you were underdogs or something. You're right, Yankee payroll is 50 million more than yours. But yours is 60 million more than ours, so I think I get to hate you even more than you hate the Yankees.

Now, no hard feelings. I have family and friends in Boston, so I hear this stuff all the time. And I'll tell you: Fenway is a great park, and I love going to games there, and I like the Red Sox. But I like the Tribe more. :)

Hey, it's not our fault your management team can't market correctly. Boston has done a great job marketing. Why wouldn't you sell out?? You think Boston is full of rich people?? C'mon.. you can't be serious with that. I remember back in the 90's people were wearing Indians gear like it was going out of style around here... what happened? Your marketing team let you down.. just like your ball team does the same thing year after year.

I never cried about a curse. That was the dumb ass media that did that shit. I never put any stock into it.. not one ounce. So instead of us crying about a "curse", you're crying that you don't get the attention or marketing. Maybe if Cleveland would jump into the japanese market that would change a bit.

No wait, maybe if Cleveland changed the whole upper management and put people with money and the brains to use it in office, you'd see a change. Boo hoo our payroll is $60 million more. Guess you don't remember the puny Marlin's and their puny payroll winning it all. The fact is this, win it all and the Jake would still not sell out a whole season.. perhaps, us Bo'Sox fans just love baseball more? :D

You can try and hate me more than I hate the skanks.. but that won't happen. I've even said that if my son ever cheered for the skanks or became a fan.. he'd be kicked out of the house. No questions asked. How's that for hate??

I do remember 1997, for obvious reasons. I also think I remember the Marlins turning around the year after that and selling the entire team and saying they had lost a ton of money winning the World Series.

You are free to keep thinking you know it all and are entitled to the popularity the Red Sox enjoy; that is very typical of a Boston fan. Watch ESPN sometime and see which two teams get more coverage. Think about the fact that Bristol, Connecticut is situated about halfway between NYC and Boston and the impact that ESPN has on sports across the country.

And I'm not crying we don't have the money. My guys keep putting together solid teams for about half the cost your guys do. They're building slowly, because they couldn't maintain the spending of the 90s. I'm just discouraging you from bragging about your hitters; you've got the money to buy Manny and Ortiz. Cleveland has the 8th lowest salary in baseball and the third best record. That's using money and brains, my friend. :)

Let's not deny there is a difference between small markets and big markets. We know Kansas City isn't going to field a good team.. ever.

Oi man, I don't know it all.. never claimed to. I'm just saying that if you're complaining that the Jake can't sell out and the payroll is so small, then the management should look at how Boston makes so much money on merchandise sales etc.

I've been a Bo'Sox fan for who knows how long.. since birth I guess and have had to endure some rotten seasons, shitty GM's and rotten teams. Every team goes through it.

Your management may build solid teams with half the money but they obviously haven't fielded a Series winning team with that money. Granted it took the Sox forever to do it but hell.. they did it.

ESPN is bullshit in their coverage.. they talk about the skankees constantly .. I understand where you're coming from in that. However, take ESPN's coverage of the skanks and Red Sox, and you'd still see them make a killing in merchandise sales. That's just how it is right now. I can remember being made fun of for wearing a Boston cap.. now, I can't turn around without seeing one.. it's pisses me off sometimes because I know people are just fair weather fans.. but hey, if it makes the team money.. then so be it.

The problem with teams like the Indians is that injuries are more dramatic. Unless the Indians have a good farm system (I have no idea.. enlighten me) then take your $60 million.. spend on what you can and there's no room for error. Even big teams go through it (see: last years Red Sox)

I'm not denying there is a huge difference between small and big market teams. I just think that if you put the right people in the front office, you can take a small market team and turn it into a big market team.

There is no reason the Royals couldn't have a great team. Their problems are in player development, drafting, and identifying talent. They are spending the more money than the Indians right now, they just don't spend it wisely.

You can compete at any payroll level. The DBacks are only paying $52M for their guys this year and are 0.5 games out of first. They got there by drafting the right guys, making smart trades, and a little luck (as in don't give shitty middle relievers like Dotel $5,000,000).

Speaking of the DBacks, MARK FUCKING REYNOLDS has been on a tear. He got called up from AA two weeks ago and he's been hitting the shit out of the ball. Actually, the whole team has been brutalizing opponents the last couple of weeks. Randy is back (again) tonight.

I'm bummed that we won't see a Randy/Curt matchup when we play Boston.

Merchandise sales are divided equally among all 30 teams.

That is actually what keeps the indians alive.

Their farm teams, Buffalo and Akron are both first place teams for AA and AAA.

They are the sole reason we are able to keep alive when injuries come about.

If it was not for them, we'd be screwed.

Our management may not spend money well, but our farm coaches/trainers make up for a large dent.

You are right.. I forgot completely about the revenue sharing. Even still, there is a marketing strategy to big market teams that works.

I'm almost offended you posted the revenue sharing via a skankees fans website..

Kadath, you are totally barking up[ the wrong tree if you are saying the Red Sox can do things other teams can't just because they always sell out. First they have the smallest park in the majors by far, despite some unbelievably creative additions, and second, they are chasing the INDIANS home sellout streak of something over 400 games. They have the highest ticket prices in the majors because they have 1/3 less capacity than other parks. Is there a difference between small and large market teams, of course, but it generally doesn't show up in the starting nine or top 4 pitchers as much as in the depth if someone gets hurt, or in the ability to scout places others can't. And stop comparing the Spankees and their fans with the Red Sox, it makes you look jealous; it has less to do with actual dollars spent than organizational philosophy.

The Red Sox and the Yankees are exactly the same. Not just obnoxious fans (I'm an Orioles tour guide; I know) and national fan-bases.

They both get their money through local TV revenue.

They both control large populations to themselves (all of New England for Boston, half of the NYC metro area for the Yankees) that receive their regional cable networks.

RCNs are the moneymakers in modern baseball, and are why big-market teams can outspend small-market ones.

Another Red Sox fan who bristles at being compared to the Yankees, what a shock! :)

Fenway seats 38,400, Wrigley seats 41,100. Wrigley has 7% more capacity than the Fen. I don't know if I would call that by far. I can find a ticket at Wrigley for 13 bucks. How much is a ticket at Fenway, assuming you could get one?

I am not saying the Red Sox can do things because they always sell out. I am saying that to try to say you are different than the Yankees because your 2nd highest payroll is lower than theirs is pretty funny. What did they shell out for Daisuke? Oh, right, about 10 million a year on average over the next 6 years.

I'll say it again. The Indians are making a great team with a modest payroll. I'm not jealous of your money. I want you to acknowledge you are a big money team...just like the Yankees.

All I will say about payroll and the financial disparity in baseball is this.... (I've ranted enough about it).....

IF I were still a betting man, and IF I could find a sucker, I would bet even money:

that at the end of this year even King George (who created this mess) will bitch about the money structure and how something needs to be done.

Yes, we are a big market team with a big payroll. So fucking what? How does that make us the bad guys?? Is it the Red Sox fault that they play in a big market and have the money at their disposal? I'm sure if the roles were reversed you would have no problem with it.

Dice-K was more than just a one person investement. This allows the Red Sox to deal openly in the Japanese market which could prove invaluable in years to come. Are you implying that if the Indians had that kind of disposable income you wouldn't want the guy?? He's having some issues but there's obviously some great talent there.

The Indians can put together all the decent teams with modest payrolls they want. All that matters in the end is does that modest payroll win you a series or just make a few weeks interesting?

I feel bad for Dice-K honestly, the poor guy simply botched up from the 5th inning on, other wise he did great. Sure you'd like him to last longer, but 5 solid inning against the Tribe, being backed by the BoSox offense. Every team would take that in a heartbeat.

He's 7-3, the near 5 ERA may be high, but when you can rely on your bats to level that out to a -2 or -3 does it matter? A win is a win. It takes the whole team.

The only thing I was upset about this whole series is that asshole of a Umpire Rick Reed. Three separate occasions now has this douche bag of a ump blatantly fucked up to cause either a game win, a solid third out, or a tying run.

I don't want replays in baseball, but I do want quality Umpires. That old man can be removed.

The Red Sox are a big market team, period. Not like the Yankees. First as i said, it is a matter of organizational philosophy, the yankees just buy already developed talent for the most part. Second it's a matter of scale. The Yankers payroll is over 205 million, without Clemens etc., that is over 85 million more than the Red Sox, sure the Sox are number two, by a fair margin, but they are much closer to the rest of the field (the other 8 of the top 10 teams are all over 85 mil.) Seriously, only a few teams (like maybe 4) have payrolls much over the DIFFERENCE between the Yankers and Red Sox! Also, when team management spends only 40% of it's revenue on payroll (Cle 2006) you have to start asking yourself how much are they comitted to winning for their fans? As for the network revenue, how does that not direclty reflect on the fans in those areas? Boston, Chicago, New York fans are passionate enough to support a network. I don't know what Baltimore or Cleveland's excuse is, their cities are of comparable populations as Boston, and they both have extensive suburban areas as Boston does.