Which Sox will be hung out to dry?
Baseball analysts are fond of saying that the game is unlike any other, and results are rarely as predictable as in sports like basketball. This sort of idea is the very reason why I approach the Chicago/Boston series with trepidation, worrying whether I'll pick up on the wrong cues and read the matchup incorrectly. Then again, scores of so-called 'experts' have fallen into the same trap over the years.
Can the White Sox end their drought for the South Side faithful?
This was the season I thought Chicago was just too undermanned for a run at the postseason. It seemed like I would pick them to win the Central every year based on their combination of decent pitching and good power, but 2005 seemed like a long shot. As they say, that's why the games aren't played on paper. On the other hand, Boston appeared to lack intensity at the beginning of the season according to some observers, and did not get the blazing start that the Pale Hose enjoyed. Nevertheless, their power hitting allowed them to come back in many a game en route to another Wild Card berth.
What kind of ball will you be playing tonight?
Much has been made of White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen's 'smartball,' with its emphasis on speed and getting runners over. No doubt, the acquisition of beyond-speedy center fielder Scott Podsednik contributed to the effectiveness of such a philosophy. Of course, 1B Paul Konerko rebounded from a tough 2004 to once again become the team's thumper; after all, man cannot live on singles alone. The emergence of a legitimate rookie of the year candidate at second base didn't hurt either: Tadahito Iguchi is for real. The Red Sox, for their part, are a patient sort up and down the lineup, from CF Johnny Damon to 3B Bill Mueller. It's quite likely that the series won't be decided by how many homers DH David Ortiz hits, but rather how many guys can get on base in front of he and LF Manny Ramirez.
Edge: Red Sox
Is pitching really the key?
The men in black sure hope so. White Sox pitching was something of a riddle this year: extremely effective at times, and yet surprisingly inconsistent by season's end. Still, Jose Contreras has been terrific down the stretch and is starting the first game despite Mark Buehrle's ace-like performance most of the season. First half-phenomenon Jon Garland will get the ball in Game 3. The darlings of the Fenway crowds, however, have pitched less admirably. Curt Schilling has had two nice starts against the Yankees surrounded by mostly abysmal peformances, and Matt Clement has a nice win total but poor second-half track record. David Wells is effective at times but looks old, and Tim Wakefield's knuckler has made him perhaps the team's finest starter. There are doubts even about this, though, as Saturday's performance in Boston demonstrates.
Edge: White Sox
Do starters bother looking over their shoulders at the bullpen?
For much of the year, White Sox starters didn't care about relief pitching, because they were finishing some games themselves. I still remember a Garland start from May when he shut out Oakland with hardly a baserunner along the way. In September, long relievers have shown some signs of wear, but Chicago has some quality arms in Damaso Marte, Cliff Politte, and Neal Cotts. In fact, in makes you wonder why Guillen has the stomach for the intriguing but inconsistent Bobby Jenks. Boston is just hoping to get by with a decent outing by the starter and enough offense to carry the day. Jon Papelbon has been a ray of sunshine for a depleted 'pen, but Terry Francona rarely trusts anyone but Papelbon and Mike Timlin. Mike Myers and Chad Bradford are used sometimes too sparingly in matchup situations.
Edge: Slight, to White Sox
Can either team steal a few big hits?
The South Siders committed 94 errors to the Red Sox' 109, although neither team was particularly effective in keeping runners from stealing, which also works to the advantage of run-oriented Chicago. Furthermore, the White Sox have a terrific center fielder in Aaron Rowand, who literally stole two doubles in a single inning at Yankee Stadium. Boston fans will point to Manny Ramirez high outfield assist total: his arm may be better than his glove, but his numbers are undoubtedly aided by the cozy dimensions of left field at Fenway. If the Red Sox ever insert Alex Cora instead of Tony Graffanino at second base or John Olerud in place of 1B Kevin Millar, their defensive alignment looks a bit better.
Edge: Slight, to White Sox
Which benchwarmers may find the spotlight?
The aforementioned Olerud is a favorite of Francona's for pinch-hitting duties as well, which makes one wonder why he doesn't start in the first place. Adam Stern will do some running if games are close, and 3B Kevin Youkilis as well as 1B Roberto Petagine are the best candidates for hitting on the spot. Chicago has infielder Willie Harris as a burner, and Timo Perez can run as well as play some outfield. Geoff Blum is a fair bet to be a defensive subsitute for 1B Konerko should the White Sox have a lead in the late innings.
Edge: Slight, to Red Sox
Verdict: Red Sox, in 5
baseball
Baseball analysts are fond of saying that the game is unlike any other, and results are rarely as predictable as in sports like basketball. This sort of idea is the very reason why I approach the Chicago/Boston series with trepidation, worrying whether I'll pick up on the wrong cues and read the matchup incorrectly. Then again, scores of so-called 'experts' have fallen into the same trap over the years.
Can the White Sox end their drought for the South Side faithful?
This was the season I thought Chicago was just too undermanned for a run at the postseason. It seemed like I would pick them to win the Central every year based on their combination of decent pitching and good power, but 2005 seemed like a long shot. As they say, that's why the games aren't played on paper. On the other hand, Boston appeared to lack intensity at the beginning of the season according to some observers, and did not get the blazing start that the Pale Hose enjoyed. Nevertheless, their power hitting allowed them to come back in many a game en route to another Wild Card berth.
What kind of ball will you be playing tonight?
Much has been made of White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen's 'smartball,' with its emphasis on speed and getting runners over. No doubt, the acquisition of beyond-speedy center fielder Scott Podsednik contributed to the effectiveness of such a philosophy. Of course, 1B Paul Konerko rebounded from a tough 2004 to once again become the team's thumper; after all, man cannot live on singles alone. The emergence of a legitimate rookie of the year candidate at second base didn't hurt either: Tadahito Iguchi is for real. The Red Sox, for their part, are a patient sort up and down the lineup, from CF Johnny Damon to 3B Bill Mueller. It's quite likely that the series won't be decided by how many homers DH David Ortiz hits, but rather how many guys can get on base in front of he and LF Manny Ramirez.
Edge: Red Sox
Is pitching really the key?
The men in black sure hope so. White Sox pitching was something of a riddle this year: extremely effective at times, and yet surprisingly inconsistent by season's end. Still, Jose Contreras has been terrific down the stretch and is starting the first game despite Mark Buehrle's ace-like performance most of the season. First half-phenomenon Jon Garland will get the ball in Game 3. The darlings of the Fenway crowds, however, have pitched less admirably. Curt Schilling has had two nice starts against the Yankees surrounded by mostly abysmal peformances, and Matt Clement has a nice win total but poor second-half track record. David Wells is effective at times but looks old, and Tim Wakefield's knuckler has made him perhaps the team's finest starter. There are doubts even about this, though, as Saturday's performance in Boston demonstrates.
Edge: White Sox
Do starters bother looking over their shoulders at the bullpen?
For much of the year, White Sox starters didn't care about relief pitching, because they were finishing some games themselves. I still remember a Garland start from May when he shut out Oakland with hardly a baserunner along the way. In September, long relievers have shown some signs of wear, but Chicago has some quality arms in Damaso Marte, Cliff Politte, and Neal Cotts. In fact, in makes you wonder why Guillen has the stomach for the intriguing but inconsistent Bobby Jenks. Boston is just hoping to get by with a decent outing by the starter and enough offense to carry the day. Jon Papelbon has been a ray of sunshine for a depleted 'pen, but Terry Francona rarely trusts anyone but Papelbon and Mike Timlin. Mike Myers and Chad Bradford are used sometimes too sparingly in matchup situations.
Edge: Slight, to White Sox
Can either team steal a few big hits?
The South Siders committed 94 errors to the Red Sox' 109, although neither team was particularly effective in keeping runners from stealing, which also works to the advantage of run-oriented Chicago. Furthermore, the White Sox have a terrific center fielder in Aaron Rowand, who literally stole two doubles in a single inning at Yankee Stadium. Boston fans will point to Manny Ramirez high outfield assist total: his arm may be better than his glove, but his numbers are undoubtedly aided by the cozy dimensions of left field at Fenway. If the Red Sox ever insert Alex Cora instead of Tony Graffanino at second base or John Olerud in place of 1B Kevin Millar, their defensive alignment looks a bit better.
Edge: Slight, to White Sox
Which benchwarmers may find the spotlight?
The aforementioned Olerud is a favorite of Francona's for pinch-hitting duties as well, which makes one wonder why he doesn't start in the first place. Adam Stern will do some running if games are close, and 3B Kevin Youkilis as well as 1B Roberto Petagine are the best candidates for hitting on the spot. Chicago has infielder Willie Harris as a burner, and Timo Perez can run as well as play some outfield. Geoff Blum is a fair bet to be a defensive subsitute for 1B Konerko should the White Sox have a lead in the late innings.
Edge: Slight, to Red Sox
Verdict: Red Sox, in 5
baseball
posted by Alex at 12:25 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home