wrongfullyaccuzd

So the Yankees score a franchise playoff record 19 runs. Sure the Red Sox manage 8. But they also go through 6 pitchers, including their Game 4 starter (unless it was a 'bluff' as some people are claiming). They gave up 22 hits, including 4 home runs. The Red Sox have been outscored 32-16 through three games. The sun is clearly setting on the 2004 Red Sox.
My question is: is the current stage of the rivalry, (that is, a competitive one) on its way to being over too? This was supposed to be the year right? Boston's pitching staff was better, that had huge bats, the stupid manager was gone. NY had a soft staff, A-Rod wasn't going to show up, and everyone was under pressure from the Boss.
What happened? What happens now? Where does Boston go from here?

If you want to tell me how the ALCS isn't over, I'm speaking too soon, feel free. I'd love to hear it.

But please, answer the question too.

MacGuyver

Question: is the current stage of the rivalry, (that is, a competitive one) on its way to being over too?
Answers: No, probably not. We just didnt show up to play at the ALCS apparently. I dont think that will kill this million year old rivalry.

Question: This was supposed to be the year right?
Answers: Every year we think it's the year... Doesn't seem to do much good.

Question: What happened?
Answers: Cracked under the pressure of finally breaking "the curse"? Shit their pants when after 6 innings the Yanks were on the verge of blowing them out in game one, they came to the realization that thousands upon thousands of fans depending on them to bring home a championship? Lost confidence, with Schilling down for the count? We finally hit our big slump of the season like we do every year? Who knows, its all speculation.

Question: What happens now?
Answers: Pull a fucking miracle victory out of their ass? (I doubt it with Francona) It's over when its over, but its not looking good. Yankee plane crashes on the way to the Bronx? who knows...

Question: Where does Boston go from here?
Answers: To the Patriots game to watch them win and feel alot better.


TOUCHDOWN REDSOX. Theres always next season I suppose.

So how bout dem Patriots?

__________________
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.
---Aristotle

Deeds, not words, shall speak [for] me.
---John Fletcher

MikeyChalupa

Question: is the current stage of the rivalry, (that is, a competitive one) on its way to being over too?
Answers: No, probably not. The key will be what happens with their free agents this offseason. They won't ALL re-sign. Before the last two games against the Yankees, I'd have said Pedro might be back, now I don't think Boston will or should re-sign him. If Lowe pitches anything other than a complete game shutout tonight he's not going to be invited back. They'll make a play for either Pavano or Clement to replace them. The big question is how much more will the Sox spend? They are still competitive. But to fill the holes they will have on their team they will need to sign some free agents and that's where the offseason will get interesting. As a Yankee fan obviously I have no problem with the Sox going out and signing FA's to big contracts, but I wonder how their fans feel about it deep down inside, knowing that in the last few years they've put their teams together the way we put ours together (rape and pillage the farm system, trade them away for do-it-now vets, sign FA's to big contracts) and in doing so, are becoming the antithesis of everything they say they stand for. Witness the baseball fans in the ALCS thread and other thread in this forum who won't pick a side in this series because they want both teams to lose when WE know this is what we have waited all season for.

Question: This was supposed to be the year right?
Answers: No, last year was. This year's Sox statistically were better but where it counts, the heart and soul of this team, it just isn't there. As irritating as "Cowboy Up" was last year for Yankee fans, it was their rallying cry and unified the team. It's just not there this year. It's like after that hot late season they had, coming all the way back from 12 games back and still couldn't catch the Yankees, they threw it in the tank. And that's why, like I said in the other thread, Pedro's remarks were unacceptable and should lead to him not being asked to come back. And if they DO re-sign him, they are dooming themselves to repeat performances as long as he's with the team.

Question: What happened?
Answers: Boston's heads were never in this series. Not like last year, when they were much more competitive, and they believed in themselves more. In 2003 they were riding the wave of emotion after their dramatic Division Series comeback win over Oakland. It empowered them, and it carried them all the way to the 11th inning of Game 7, when the Bambino took over. This year, they were complacent from easily sweeping Anaheim, who rolled over for them. We almost could have put together a team from TFP and beat the Sox in this ALCS. Just like last year's Yankees were spent after the REAL World Series (2003 ALCS), and had nothing left for Florida. Francona made some boneheaded moves. How do you bring in Wakefield? He should have brought in Derek Lowe, and kept Wakefield for Game 4. Sox baserunning was atrocious. When you're giving up 19 runs, it's not helping.

Question: What happens now?
Answers: The Yankees pound Derek Lowe in Game 4. They sweep the Sox and go on to meet the Cardinals in the World Series and win in 6. Matsui is the Series MVP.

Question: Where does Boston go from here?
Answers: They continue to have the loyal, faithful fans and the inept ownership and management that have been hallmarks of Boston baseball for 86 years. They re-sign Varitek, Ortiz, and Nixon. They don't re-sign Pedro or Lowe. They make a play for Pavano and Clement and sign neither, the Yankees get one. They put Francona on the hot seat and fire him at the end of next season when the Sox finish in 2nd place again.

One thing is absolutely certain: HE will be back next year.



-Mikey

Shizukana

Wow, Bosox got snapped off tonight.

That hurts.

__________________
"The power of accurate observation is frequently called cynicism by those who don't have it." - George Bernard Shaw

goppers

question: is the current stage of the rivalry, (that is, a competitive one) on its way to being over too?
answer: nahh. The sox were first in the AL in runs scored, and third in team ERA. Most of that core should be back next year (i still assume that Pedro and Tek will be resigned), and i have faith that Theo will do a good job of replacing anyone that leaves.

question: This was supposed to be the year right?
answer: yeah...

question: What happened?
answer: Schilling got hurt and lost game one. It wasn't his fault, but it happened. Pedro, though he threw a good game got out-pitched (I feel like the sox hitters were so worried about scoring runs for pedro that they pressed). Game three was just terrible. The yankees pitching turned it up; I'm not sure how much credit you give them vs blame you give the sox pitchers.

question: What happens now?
answer: Well, this season isn't quite over. I don't like their chances, but having pedro and schilling to throw todays game and the next (if there is one) isn't the worst position they could be in. Shrug. we will see.

question: Where does Boston go from here?
answer: wait till next year probably, and hope that theo can pull some crazy name out of his computer that will play like an all star for half of what he should be making. Oh, and watch the Pats beat the Jets.

Glory's Sun

the pitching factors aside.. it basically comes down to the fact that the1-4 hitters for Boston aren't doing much. I'm sick of saying "next year will be better" .. but unless a miracle happens.. I'll be saying that again.