Great series IMHO, of course it’s a lot easier for me to say such because Boston took the series 2-1. But even in that loss I saw some good signs.
**Friday: Yankees 4, Boston 1
**
This was the game we lost, but some really good things happened. Buckholz didn’t throw a no-hitter, but he doesn’t have to, he pitched an impressive performance, but was unfortunately out-pitched by Wang who tossed a complete game. The kid didn’t blow up, just pitched a good game with mixed strikes and balls.
Also JD homered, he’s showing a lot of great signs that he was simply slumping last year and that this year he might break out a little. Also, Caset doesn’t stink as a utility guy in first base. And Youk can still play third (he came up in the minors as a third baseman).
Pet peave: Both Fox Sports and ESPN front pages had Giambi as the headline when the Yankees won. G’dammit! Did Wong not just pitch a complete game?! One homerun is a good thing for the team, especially considering the guy is hitting below .100, but Wong beat us that day, not Giambi.
Saturday: Boston 4, NY Yankees 3
Manny Ramirez has stepped into the role quite comfortably of being the Yankees-killer. He’s had to with Ortiz slumping. In fact, Manny is just about killing everyone this year.
I already said, I think Girardi made a couple very silly moves. I don’t want to declare them as “bad” decisions, because frankly I haven’t seen the guy coach enough. I’m comfortable with saying that I thought Torre was a very good manager, because I watched those games for years. And frankly I like it when managers make bold and non-traditional calls, but in this game (and the next, they didn’t really work out).
The two and a half hour rain delay was huge. Eighth inning, two outs. For two and a half hours both Papelbon and Rodriguez had to sit in their lockerooms and think, “I’m going up against _________” when this game starts. Two of the handful of most feared players, both in pitching and hitting, and the mental game going for them both.
After warming up three times, and waiting two and a half hours, Papelbon blows Arod away with a first pitch 97mph. Then bizarre enough Girardi sends the runners distracting Arod on the second strike. Paps struck out Arod, and the next two batter, then got a groundball for the out.
(Then there was the much ado about switching the broadcast in the ninth with two outs and two strikes 
)
Sunday: Boston 8, NY Yankees 5
What? Another four hour Yanks/Sox matchup? Who’d a thunk it?
Daisuke’s worst performance of the year possibly, and he still didn’t look bad. Hughes puzzled me though. Watching him pitch on a huge HD television, his pitches looked pretty good, with plenty of velocity and movement. He obviously wasn’t getting the job done, but I couldn’t decipher how Boston was able to pick him off so early. Still nice getting to see him and Ohlendorf though.
Then Hawkins and Farnsworth? Two guys I used to love a lot even though they would always let me down in the end. I’m talking waaaay previous to Yankee roster days.
Lot’s of SB’s for both teams that day. Johnny showing off how fast he still is and Posada under orders not to throw runners out (3rd Girardi :smack: ).
Oh, and Jim I’m sorry that your Fenway experience wasn’t as good at it could have been. And don’t worry, even if you accepted my “bet”, there’s no way I would have let you pay for dinner, not when you’re the guest in my city.
It’s an adventure when he’s on the mound.