Well SN I do respect your opinion but I think you are very biased when it comes to your Yanks. At this point if I were to go up and down the lineup I would definately take Pedroia, Ellsbury, Youklis, and Drew. Don't think the gap is that huge at C and 3B is a given but Lowell is still servicable. This game has played out exactly like I thought it would and am pretty happy to have my Bos +1.5 bet and a small ml play on the Sox as well. Agreed Joba really has great stuff and his potential is immense but he isn't a pitcher that can get into the 7th or 8th inning yet imo. Which is why I thought it was a little ridiculous to lay this price with the Yanks when it was very much a toss up when it got to the bullpens as we have seen so far. Also not sure the Yanks position by position have lived up to their salaries and expectations thus far this year. GL with your Yanks play hope they win by 1 if they win.
No way have the Yanks lived up to there salaries our expectations . Thats not what I said . I meant indivual talent .
Varitek is in serious decline at the plate . 238-255-218 if Posada hit that he would be kicked out NYY . Then 122Ks in 435abs and 70 more this year in 242 abs . Posada battling injuries still a tremendous edge over Varitek. Obviously the throwing has been an issue but due to injury as he was excellent last year considering how poor NYY pitchers hold on runners.
Lowell is very solid but still barely All Star material . See people dont notice these things . Year 1 in Boston 20Hrs and 80 RBI and thats comparable how to Arod ? Last year 373 at Fenway and .276 away . Same atbats 14hrs 73 rbi compared to 7hrs 47 rbi . Granted there is no doubt he has been excellent but still see a tremendous gap bewteen the two players . One guy is booed for 45Hrs and 130 Rbi while the other is cheered for 20-120...the only reason its considerable gap IMO is because its ARod and because Lowell till now medicore on the road.
You would definetly take Pedroia ? Not sure how many GM's agree with that . I clearly think Pedroia is having the better year but Cano also didnt play in college so Pedroia has a nice head start. Still Cano was a good ML hitter from Day 1 . He hit 342 in his 1st full season and last 306 19hrs and 92 rbi compared to Pedroia's 8hrs 50 rbi and 317......Entering the season Cano was ahead probably well ahead of Pedroia and to his credit Dustin has narrowed the gap while Cano has slumped . Also Pedroia another one 351 home 282 away last year . Fenway is Coors like in padding offensive numbers ....
You can take Youk over Giambi. The only better LHB in the AL is David Ortiz . No one has come close to Giambi's production when healthy except huge problem is he has been often injured and played hurt . So Youk is having a solid year but last 2 seasons whats to get excited about ? 13-72 and 16-83 with 280 ish avg ?? In 2005 and 2006 in 417 abs and 446 abs Giambi had 32 Hrs -87 RBI and 37Hr 113 Rbi playing hurt in late 2006 and losing his MVP award in Sept because of it . While just like 2008 he started terrible in 2005 overcoming the tumor and offseason steroid scandal. OPS just under a 1.000 in both. This year in 60 less abs Giambi despite the slow start and 259 clip to 306 has the better OBP and OPS plus 5 more Hrs and the same RBI.
Jeter vs Lugo doesnt even need a discussion the gap is Strahan like .
JD Drew had one good month hitting before a red hot Manny . Notice Manny slowed down and so did he . So he hit 270 11 hrs and 64 Rbi and 270 lasy year 466 abs and one good June month in 2008 is worth more then Abreu? Drew 283 4hrs 22 rbi before June and 337 12 hrs 22 rbi in June . 1 good month puts him over the top? Abreu hasnt played well since 2006 in NYY but still prefer him and probably why he hits 3rd in the lineup . Drew would not hit 3rd in NYY .
Ellsbury is a very good all around player but think defensively Melky is as good as gets in CF . Ellsbury is the better hitter clearly but still doesnt have a full season under his belt . Minus the steals the stats dont overwhelm.
The bottomline with Joba is the only way to score against him as get the breaks . Whether he gives them with command issues or you luck out and get a break. Didnt see Youk 1st hit but the next 3 were barely hits . If I am pitching I am disgusted at how lucky the hitters are getting . No one as hit Joba yet but still he has allowed runs thats the difference in what keeps him from being an ALL STAR right now .
Everything Boston has done so far is basicaly off a Yankee mistake . They have 1 legit hit in Kevin Cash . Legit means hit the ball hard and right on the screws . No opposite field 0-2 ARod bloopers . Yanks have fucked up there share and are still tied if they got the breaks and little things working for them they would up 6 runs . However thats the difference NYY has been sloppy for awhile and never plays up to its potential . I never said they were a great team and probably would would agree that today Boston is a better team . Just not in the way people say it . Boston is playing up to its potential while NYY has its best SP on the DL , its best young SP on the DL and 2 LFs on the DL . All Boston is lacking is David Ortiz which is a huge hole but both Boston and NYY can survive the absence of 1 hitter . The Yankees have no players overperforming and only Damon and Arod playing to there potential . Dont think Pedroia , Youk , Drew or Lowell can play any better then they have....
I do love Boston SP....:shake:
Good Luck .