Death by Knuckleball
There’s nothing better than a good old-fashioned game of catch in the backyard between father and son. Tonight it looked like Tim Wakefield and George Kottaras were doing just that … playing toss. Except the backyard was Fenway Park, and there were batters standing in between them. The Blue Jays attempted to interrupt that game of catch, but for the most part Wakefield just kept lobbing and the Jays kept popping out.
Thanks in part to 16 fly balls, Tim Wakefield managed to slow down the best offense in the league for 8 innings. Kevin Millar possibly used knowledge of his former teammate to bring in the only Blue Jays run off a solo homerun. Kudos to Cito Gaston for deciding to put Millar in the lineup. But on that note, Adam Lind looked a little rusty in left field, after his throw was way off line on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 2nd. Looks like its time for Lind to practice hitting the cutoff man.
As amazing as Tim Wakefield was, Brian Tallet was there right behind him. 6 innings and 2 earned runs against the Boston Red Sox is something to be proud of. Red Sox fans who were hoping David Ortiz would snap out of his slump were denied redemption once again as Big Papi went o for 3 and slipped down to a .203 average. I know the Red Sox really love this guy, but how much longer can this slump go on before it’s declared a writeoff?
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Yes, the Blue Jays may have lost the first battle in this series, but they’re in it to win the war. Bring on the big guns.
It’s all about tonight. Although Chavez throwing out that kleptomaniac Ellsbury was very bad-ass.
Yeah, that was pretty awesome. Ellsbury would’ve scored on that single by Pedroia, so Chavez helped save a run. Raul really knows how to gun down those runners!
Silver lining: Tallet’s start.
Here’s hoping Cecil can deliver today.
And, yes, Chavez’s gun on Ellsbury was a thing of beauty. Fuck Jacob and the extra “Y” in his first name.
Thank you Brett Cecil.
By the way, so if Shaun Marcum comes back, who will make room for him in the rotation ?
Anyone think BJ Ryan has a chance to get the closers job back or does Downs has it set in stone ?
and Snider has my vote for ROY. Young talented hitter.
Sam, from what I’ve heard Marcum could possibly be back with the Jays by August or September possibly. At that point, they probably wouldn’t have to make room for him because of the expanded 40-man rosters. But if Marcum does make it back earlier, any one of the rookies will be sent back down to the minors – Marcum has seniority over them.
I think Ryan will eventually be this team’s closer again this year – but the way Scott Downs is pitching this year, it’s making it even more difficult for B.J. Ryan to get his closer job back. So far they’re easing him back into high pressure situations.
Snider WAS great but he’s tailed off quite a bit over the past few weeks. There is talk that he actually might be sent down to the minors soon if he doesn’t start swinging a hot bat again.
I have Scott Downs in my fantasy baseball teams so so far so good.
True, true, Sniders only 21 after all.
Say, when do you think Scutaro will make an error ? jk.
Downs is a great pickup. Even if B.J. Ryan comes back to close, Downs is one of the best setup guys in the game.
Sorry to tell you, but the Blue Jays just sent Travis Snider to the minors. 🙁