Opening Day ACT II
Call it whatever you want but for me I am excited its here but also know this will hurt both teams come the start of April.
Let me start by saying you guys see how much time iput into HOOPS both the NBA and NCAAB so realize while this is my favorite sport and some say my best I havent really thought about baseball since OCTOBER ! Huge Yankee fan as most know but more of the eductaed MLB fan who respects all teams and organizations that means I dont hate on Boston OR theMets like most NYers.
Anyway here is what I think. Use it as YOU see fit .
Dice-K and Blanton:
What I know about Dice K is he is so much like Mike Mussina in that he is a creature of HABIT. These guys believe STRONGLY in there routines and when there routines are disrupted thats the FIRST thing you here out of there mouth. I mention this for two reasons. First having an earlier start to the season disrupts your routine as you must start throwing earlier and be ready in a short , quicker period of time. Second is Dice-K had his unborn child and I hate to phrase it like this but hanging over his head all spring. Most assumed he would not make the trip to Japan because of it. So you have to wonder where he is at mentally and how prepared he is. I understand the hoolpa surrounding his return HOME but if you take away the names on there jerseys Joe Blanton probably has pitched slightily better then Dice K. Naturally Dice K is more taleneted and regarded higher ( and should be) but to this point his hype has outweighed his production. Last year Dice K started somewhat slow in April and May and yo can say it was because of a few things BUT he still has a chance of being a SP who is slow out of the gates. Blanton did not pitch well on the road last season by any means and went from real solid in the 1st H to pretty bad in the 2nd H and finished with an above average season.
“For a while I wasn’t sure that I was going to be able to make the trip,” Matsuzaka said, “but everything worked out well and I’m glad to be here and, most especially, glad to be able to pitch in person, live in front of all the Japanese fans.”
Concerns :
-Both teams are dealing with jetlag but OAK has the shorter flight and therefore a better chance of overcoming it quicker. Oak won 4-3 but then 10-2 showing some pop in there bats. I think both BOS games were a little closer and Sox aging vet roster might struggle more then the younger players OAK has with jetlag. Bos won 6-5 and 9-2..
-You cannot convince me BOS wants to be here. Just like the Yankees in 2004. The elite teams dont want to be forced to do this and the teams like OAK embrace a rare chance at the spotlight IMO. If I recall correctly both JAPAN SERIES started with the UNDERDOG winning. Seem to think da Cubbie hit a GRAND SLAM in XTRA INNINGS to win in 2000 and I believe Mussina got battered around vs TB in 2004 but honestly I could be wrong. To me this LEVELS the playing field and even the NYG struggled faced the DOLPHINS in LONDON this year.
-Blanton to me is in the better situation outside of his last start of 2007 he pitched very well vs Boston in the past. Over 4 starts 27.2 innings 21 hit and 5 runs. The guy who kills him is Manny Ramirez but check Mannys stats last 3 Aprils and ask yourself if you think he will look like the real Manny today?? Blanton has pitched well in 05 and 07 and I assume that is the SP who he is not the 06 version. Anyway both years his April numbers were very solid if yo check them and like that he does well keeping LHB in the park allowing just 10hrs to them in those season total. His last spring outing 6 scoreless inning vs da Cubbies (ss).
- Dice K on the other hand the creature of habit has had his Spring Training altered. Even Francona says he is basically on a 90 pitch limit maybe a few more. If you have seen Dice K when he is off slightily its his command and he throws alot of pitches. You probably wont see DiceK get past the 5th and wouldnt expect to see him out there in the 6th. Also all eyes are on Dice K how does he respond? Also Dice K had just Spring Innings to work with . Of course he pitched in some intrasquad or minor league games but 12 innings is real LOW. With BOS pen Okajama is OVERHYPED IMO. He started real good but had a few bumps late and hasnt been overly impressive this spring. Not saying he isnt good just not automatic in my eyes. Papelbon basically is and DelCarmen is real good . After that your dealing with medciore arms IMO with Timlin out so there could be a window where you see some of the weaker links in BOS pen. Also Dice K was HR prone and Blanton has not been a big plus in a small park ..
Still, nerves can be a factor....
“It’s human nature in a big game to be nervous,” Lowell said. “You can be nervous and confident. But this ice in your veins, man of steel, I don’t believe it. No one’s this robot, not Dice-K, not anyone.”
-Ellsbury , Pedroia and Lowell have not had great springs . Manny , Ortiz , and Lugo havent done much but Ortiz finally went deep upon arriving to Japan. Youk and Varitek have raked so far and Drew lately as well.
-OAK lineup I dont think lost much at all in the offseason but Chavez out hurts clearly. Emil Brown can probbaly out play Shannon Stewart at this point , Buck has upside is an upgrade over Kotsay , Swisher DID ALMOST nothing after MAY last year. Gimme Cust instead with Sweeney an dupgrade from Mike Piazza. Its just that the replacemnets must continue to prove themselves. Having Barton at 1st all year is an upgrade . Ellis is off probably his best season , hopefully Crosby is back to form and he has been okay this Spring but IMO cant be any worse then last 2 years. CF is still unsettled and the question mark IMO. With Suzuki at the dish almost anything is an offensive upgrade over Kendall and Suzuki came up with a defensive reputation.Not crazy about OAKS pen at this point. Street and Embree are as solid as Bos tandem but Foulke is behind after a year off and is a concern. DiNardo had a good spring after being extremely effective as reliever late last year. The rest questions but Blanton has a better chance of going deper in the gme IMO.
-Fade the World Series Champ in the opener? Always a good idea as expectations tend to be unrealistic.
BOTTOMLINE: Francona himself said they are trying to find a mix of competitive spirit along with getting ready for the season. To me that means the goal is to get better , April readyand winning is nice but not as important in this scenario. Its a glorifed exhibition with BOS having more to lose then OAK since the A's arent expected to contend. On offense Mannys slow starts past 3 seasons would concen me since he is usualy in the middle of every rally. Dice K how prepared is he for this game? How distratced is he? Oak wants to win because it the WS champs . They have the younger and hungrier team IMO along with better SP at the moment.
Dont see a decisive edge for BOS outside of the proven lineup. However they face the beter SP at the moment as Dice K never pitched 5 full innings this spring in a ML game.
PLAY: OAK +140 {1unit} also like them +1.5 but my book is now closed and would have plyed it along with a stronger play on OAK but cant...:cheers:
Call it whatever you want but for me I am excited its here but also know this will hurt both teams come the start of April.
Let me start by saying you guys see how much time iput into HOOPS both the NBA and NCAAB so realize while this is my favorite sport and some say my best I havent really thought about baseball since OCTOBER ! Huge Yankee fan as most know but more of the eductaed MLB fan who respects all teams and organizations that means I dont hate on Boston OR theMets like most NYers.
Anyway here is what I think. Use it as YOU see fit .
Dice-K and Blanton:
What I know about Dice K is he is so much like Mike Mussina in that he is a creature of HABIT. These guys believe STRONGLY in there routines and when there routines are disrupted thats the FIRST thing you here out of there mouth. I mention this for two reasons. First having an earlier start to the season disrupts your routine as you must start throwing earlier and be ready in a short , quicker period of time. Second is Dice-K had his unborn child and I hate to phrase it like this but hanging over his head all spring. Most assumed he would not make the trip to Japan because of it. So you have to wonder where he is at mentally and how prepared he is. I understand the hoolpa surrounding his return HOME but if you take away the names on there jerseys Joe Blanton probably has pitched slightily better then Dice K. Naturally Dice K is more taleneted and regarded higher ( and should be) but to this point his hype has outweighed his production. Last year Dice K started somewhat slow in April and May and yo can say it was because of a few things BUT he still has a chance of being a SP who is slow out of the gates. Blanton did not pitch well on the road last season by any means and went from real solid in the 1st H to pretty bad in the 2nd H and finished with an above average season.
“For a while I wasn’t sure that I was going to be able to make the trip,” Matsuzaka said, “but everything worked out well and I’m glad to be here and, most especially, glad to be able to pitch in person, live in front of all the Japanese fans.”
Concerns :
-Both teams are dealing with jetlag but OAK has the shorter flight and therefore a better chance of overcoming it quicker. Oak won 4-3 but then 10-2 showing some pop in there bats. I think both BOS games were a little closer and Sox aging vet roster might struggle more then the younger players OAK has with jetlag. Bos won 6-5 and 9-2..
-You cannot convince me BOS wants to be here. Just like the Yankees in 2004. The elite teams dont want to be forced to do this and the teams like OAK embrace a rare chance at the spotlight IMO. If I recall correctly both JAPAN SERIES started with the UNDERDOG winning. Seem to think da Cubbie hit a GRAND SLAM in XTRA INNINGS to win in 2000 and I believe Mussina got battered around vs TB in 2004 but honestly I could be wrong. To me this LEVELS the playing field and even the NYG struggled faced the DOLPHINS in LONDON this year.
-Blanton to me is in the better situation outside of his last start of 2007 he pitched very well vs Boston in the past. Over 4 starts 27.2 innings 21 hit and 5 runs. The guy who kills him is Manny Ramirez but check Mannys stats last 3 Aprils and ask yourself if you think he will look like the real Manny today?? Blanton has pitched well in 05 and 07 and I assume that is the SP who he is not the 06 version. Anyway both years his April numbers were very solid if yo check them and like that he does well keeping LHB in the park allowing just 10hrs to them in those season total. His last spring outing 6 scoreless inning vs da Cubbies (ss).
- Dice K on the other hand the creature of habit has had his Spring Training altered. Even Francona says he is basically on a 90 pitch limit maybe a few more. If you have seen Dice K when he is off slightily its his command and he throws alot of pitches. You probably wont see DiceK get past the 5th and wouldnt expect to see him out there in the 6th. Also all eyes are on Dice K how does he respond? Also Dice K had just Spring Innings to work with . Of course he pitched in some intrasquad or minor league games but 12 innings is real LOW. With BOS pen Okajama is OVERHYPED IMO. He started real good but had a few bumps late and hasnt been overly impressive this spring. Not saying he isnt good just not automatic in my eyes. Papelbon basically is and DelCarmen is real good . After that your dealing with medciore arms IMO with Timlin out so there could be a window where you see some of the weaker links in BOS pen. Also Dice K was HR prone and Blanton has not been a big plus in a small park ..
Still, nerves can be a factor....
“It’s human nature in a big game to be nervous,” Lowell said. “You can be nervous and confident. But this ice in your veins, man of steel, I don’t believe it. No one’s this robot, not Dice-K, not anyone.”
-Ellsbury , Pedroia and Lowell have not had great springs . Manny , Ortiz , and Lugo havent done much but Ortiz finally went deep upon arriving to Japan. Youk and Varitek have raked so far and Drew lately as well.
-OAK lineup I dont think lost much at all in the offseason but Chavez out hurts clearly. Emil Brown can probbaly out play Shannon Stewart at this point , Buck has upside is an upgrade over Kotsay , Swisher DID ALMOST nothing after MAY last year. Gimme Cust instead with Sweeney an dupgrade from Mike Piazza. Its just that the replacemnets must continue to prove themselves. Having Barton at 1st all year is an upgrade . Ellis is off probably his best season , hopefully Crosby is back to form and he has been okay this Spring but IMO cant be any worse then last 2 years. CF is still unsettled and the question mark IMO. With Suzuki at the dish almost anything is an offensive upgrade over Kendall and Suzuki came up with a defensive reputation.Not crazy about OAKS pen at this point. Street and Embree are as solid as Bos tandem but Foulke is behind after a year off and is a concern. DiNardo had a good spring after being extremely effective as reliever late last year. The rest questions but Blanton has a better chance of going deper in the gme IMO.
-Fade the World Series Champ in the opener? Always a good idea as expectations tend to be unrealistic.
BOTTOMLINE: Francona himself said they are trying to find a mix of competitive spirit along with getting ready for the season. To me that means the goal is to get better , April readyand winning is nice but not as important in this scenario. Its a glorifed exhibition with BOS having more to lose then OAK since the A's arent expected to contend. On offense Mannys slow starts past 3 seasons would concen me since he is usualy in the middle of every rally. Dice K how prepared is he for this game? How distratced is he? Oak wants to win because it the WS champs . They have the younger and hungrier team IMO along with better SP at the moment.
Dont see a decisive edge for BOS outside of the proven lineup. However they face the beter SP at the moment as Dice K never pitched 5 full innings this spring in a ML game.
PLAY: OAK +140 {1unit} also like them +1.5 but my book is now closed and would have plyed it along with a stronger play on OAK but cant...:cheers:
Last edited:
