Red Sox/Rays Game 3

[mahonedog88]

Well...this isn't really what we expected to see was it?

Lester getting owned 3 innings into this game.

This game I guess isn't technically over since it's so early, but when our team is what? 3 for 24 with runners in scoring position?  Doesn't look too likely.

It's gonna be tough to win this series if we lose this game, cause even though we haven't seen Wakefield yet, its safe to say that we're basically down to a 2 man rotation...cause let's face it, Josh Beckett is a lost cause in these playoffs this year.

And if we're not driving in runners on base AND a member of our 2 man rotation can't get it done, your chances aren't good to win a series.

Our bullpen hasn't been that bad these playoffs, and if they have been the majority of the time our lineup gets us out of it.  It's really the starting pitching as being seen now and whenever Josh Beckett is on the mound and members of our lineup being incredibly underwhelming...Ellsbury in an 0-18 slump, Ortiz not doing much of anything, JD Drew cooling off quite a bit since game 1 of the Angels series, Lowrie not doing much anything besides the game 4 game winning hit against the Angels, and no Mike Lowell.

[Celtic]

Lester and the offense really needs to wake up now. Umpire has two strike zones so far, Sox are getting squeezed on both ends.

[Nerf DPOY]

Pedroia with a shot that'd be outta some parks and at least a double in the rest. Though, I'm sure John Lackey would call it a cheap single.

[Celtic]

Lester and the offense really needs to wake up now. Umpire has two strike zones so far, Sox are getting squeezed on both ends.

Let me also say that so far one team came to win, and one is playing to lose, if the Sox don't start playing, and continue to let the rays walk over them, they are going to be down 2-1 very quickly.

[Green Mountain]

I'm still trying to grasp why Francona feels the need to manage like its a little league game. Why was Crisp in instead of Drew last game? Why is Cora in in place of Lowrie? It's bad enough that Varitek hits like he's the pitcher in a national league game. Did we really need to add Cora's lack of a bat to the lineup?

[Celtic]

I'm still trying to grasp why Francona feels the need to manage like its a little league game. Why was Crisp in instead of Drew last game? Why is Cora in in place of Lowrie? It's bad enough that Varitek hits like he's the pitcher in a national league game. Did we really need to add Cora's lack of a bat to the lineup?

Agreed. The players within the lineup needed have their order shifted, not the actual players within it. Right now Pedroia, Youkilis and Bay are the Red Sox offense, Ortiz, Varitek, Ellsbury, are non existent, and Drew ain't that much better. I know what we all hear on WEEI about how great a manager Francona is and how we have no right to question him, so anyone who is going to make that argument spare me that particular piece of nonsense. Yes he is a great manager, probably the best in baseball, but he, much like everyone else, makes mistakes, just like leaving Beckett in too long was a mistake in game 2. Just because the Sox are able to play out of mistakes doesn't change the fact that it was the wrong move in the first place, it is just increasingly frustrating when it is an obvious blunder.

[Celtic]

I really cant stand BJ Upton, he covers so much ground, it's like having 4 outfielders.

[Redz]

I'm still trying to grasp why Francona feels the need to manage like its a little league game. Why was Crisp in instead of Drew last game? Why is Cora in in place of Lowrie? It's bad enough that Varitek hits like he's the pitcher in a national league game. Did we really need to add Cora's lack of a bat to the lineup?

Ironically I think they need to do the exact opposite of what they did last year vs. Cleveland.  Sit Ellsbury down and start Crisp in the leadoff spot.  Last year they did the switch after they were down 3-1.  I wonder if they'll wait that long this time.

[Celtic]

I really want to say move Ortiz back, he is close to an automatic out right now, but I'd give him tomorrow at his usual spot since he wont be seeing any overpowering fastballs and hopefully can catch up to some pitches for power.