Devil Ray Fans I'm Calling You Out

WTF is up with the god damn Devil Ray fans? This is your last shot at the AL Wild Card leading Red Sox and you can't fill that dump of a stadium? Where the hell are your little cow bells now hunh? What Hulk Hogan and Brian Nobbs couldn't make this one? Where the hell is Dickey V when you need him? What the hell is up with this piss poor showing you pansies. To think we were one Josh Beckett injury away from sweeping the Phillies. Ha come on you call yourself a team. I'd give you half a chance if Longoria's Batting Average was above the Mendoza line. All the hype from last year and you can't get a capacity crowd when the real champs are in town. What do those seats cost $20? $25?

Dawg Days of Summer

Here we go again the Rays demolished the Sox hopes of getting the W last night in a "Big" game. Granted it was still early August, but last nights game had a playoff aura about it. Imagine saying that 4-5 years ago about a Sox/Rays game. In all honesty I think it was the most stressful game I've watched all season.

Bard finally showed he was hittable and Longoria established why he shouldn't be pitched two not once, but twice to win the Rays a game they had no business taking. Lester pitched a stunning game as did Garza who is a Sox killer if you recall from last fall's ALCS. Pedroia and Youk continued to carry this team offensively as they have over the past month and Victor Martinez, don't get me started, was another spark plug in the lineup. Got to love the Sox getting another hybrid player like Martinez who can give you better than average defense at two positions and still add a dangerous switch hitting bat to your lineup. Opposing managers are going to be driven nuts with all the options Tito can throw at them. It wasn't enough last night though and leaving men on base happened all too often. In the end the Rays had enough to take a burner and I couldn't make it past the 13th. Hopefully the Sox can take the next game and this isn't the type of lose that puts them on a skid. Something tells me this team is still forming their playoff identity and figuring out where the new guys fit and who is going to be ready when they get put into big spots in the playoffs. What this game showed is the Sox just have not figured out how to beat this Rays squad, maybe they still have the confidence from last October, but the Sox better figure it out quick before they become the third seed in the East.

P.S. Can we keep Josh Reddick up and send down Drew???

Sweep Their A$$es!!!!

This means WAR! SOX IN 4!! Sweep their A$$es!

You can actually order this $hit at mlb.com. I might get one just to burn as kindling once the U.S. infrastructure collapses and the armagedon pops off.

Thanks to Barstool for bringing this Bush League shirt to my and Red Sox Nation's attention.

Bulletin Board Material

Well it looks as if the Rays are getting a little too big for their britches. These are not the greatest pieces of bulletin board material, but it shows the Rays are not "Acting like they've been there before." We've seen this before haven't we? A young team with a bunch of momentum and nothing to lose. (Cleveland and The Rockies last year.) I think we know how well that turned out.

"We don't want to get ahead of ourselves," left fielder Carl Crawford said, "but we definitely feel good about our chances." -AP Reminds me of no-name Rams player "I like our chances" line during the 2001 Pats win.

"We don't feel any pressure. The pressure is on them (Red Sox)" -(Freddy Garcia) Uhh Matt Garza (ALDS Stats: 7 hits, 5 EARNED runs, 4 walks) Don't even get me started.

"Please, ask around," Floyd said. "Call the other general managers and ask them what they think. And if they say anything other than this team is stacked, not just for this year but years to come, then maybe they shouldn't be a GM." - Cliff Floyd Cliffy buddy your lucky if you even get to pinch hit in this series yah bum.

"We just know what to expect out of them," Really you know what to expect from the Sox? This is the playoffs! You know what to expect hunh? Pal you gave up 2 runs 8 hits and only made it 5 innings your last start. Son, you have no idea what your up against. - Scott Kazmir

Face it Tampa Bay Rays your middle relief scares me more than your supposed stud pitching staff. Sox have pressure on them hunh. I know the Rays were 8-1 at home against the Sox. But, if the Sox they take one of the first two games at your pinball stadium who's the pressure on? Because the Sox then get to smack the Rays around at Fenway for three games; where the Sox have are 7-2 this year against the Rays.

Hah Pressure you wouldn't know pressure if it shat on your chest.


Papelbon, whose fastball consistently hits 98 mph, has given up nine hits, struck out 16 and walked five in the postseason."I don't know about other guys, but me? I love pressure," Papelbon said."When I get in those pressure situations, it gets me going. That's my comfort zone. If it wasn't, I wouldn't be in this job." - LA Times

Sox kept rollin

After dismanteling the "better team" the Sox are now on to their biggest challenge the pesky Rays. The Rays did win the season series and the division, but they can't match the experience of the Sox. This will be the biggest test for the Sox because the Rays have good starters, a deeper middle relief crew, and a serviceable closer in Percival. But, If the White Sox can take a game from these kids then you know the Sox can do some damage.

Let's look at the match up. Ultimately the Sox have the better offense. If Papi (.235 1 RBI 4 K's in ALDS) and Pedroia (.059 1 RBI in ALDS) can start providing some pop this series the Sox will have a much easier time with the Rays. It will take a lot more than a combined 2 RBI's and a couple of walks from them to get the job done. I was a little surprised to see Dice starting game 1 but he can do it. I like Beckett getting some rest before game two and Lester (3-0, 0.90 ERA vs. Tampa in '08) in the pivotal game 3 at Fenway where has owned all season (also game 7 @ TB if needed). Francona feels throwing the vet Wake is the way to go. I think it is wise to have him go at Fenway (even though he was 9-0 up until last year this year he has lost two at the Trop and he has a 5.87 ERA with 12 runs 10 earned given up there.) He has mostly dominated the Rays over his career except for this season and hopefully will have that knuckler floating like a butter fly for game 4.

The key for the Sox in my opinion will be limiting the damage of young studs Longoria and Upton. Longoria hit bombs in his first two post-season ab's and went hit less in his last 8. Upton had 3 HR's and was 4-9 with 4 RBI's against the Pale Hoes in the ALDS. These guys are young so keeping them quite early will set the tone for the rest of the series. Aki Iwamura has also been a thorn in the Sox side. Sometimes guys step up against the Sox like Enrique Wilson. While the Rays starters are good they were hit by the White Sox in the ALDS. Each of their four starters gave up at least two runs. It will be their relievers that win them the series. Balfour, Wheeler, Howell, and Bradford have been pitching over their heads this season and could be the key to this series. Percival is a veteran, but I have to give the Sox the huge edge with Paps.

Overall it looks like a pretty even series I'd say the Sox have the momentum off the emotional Angles series though as well as uber-playoff-experience. In the end I feel this series will go 7 strong. I see the Sox pulling it out with Lester (projected) on the hill building on his legend. Eventhough my gut says Sox in 5 and my balls say Sox in 4.

Suck it Trebeck!

Had to throw this one up.  Who knew Connery was a wife-beater.  Kind of wish I could smack Joe Madden right now.  The coach not the douche singer.

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Rayzed and Confused

So I expected the Rays to put up a better fight than they did for this AL East title. Instead Kazmir comes out like Jake the Snake Roberts at a county fair event. Man that was easy for the Sox 13 runs, six homers, and a solid pitching performance by Dice K. Ortiz seems to be getting his thump back with 4 RBIs last night. Youk (horrible humanbeing) with 3 RBIs and even the Captain added two RBIs. How about Coco Crisp leading off drawing three walks, talk about a resurgence. Total team effort last night, except for Nancy Drew of course who had a death in the family/ bad back, and Lowell and his torn hip labrum still gritting through it. I'm not counting the Rays out of this yet, but with Beckett on the hill tonight in a big game you know the Sox are gonna be pumped to take sole lead of the East. People say it doesn't matter if the Sox win the division just as long as they make the playoffs. Bullshit you know Pedroia, Beckett, and company want to take it all.

Bring on the Pennant baby doesn't matter if we play Chi Sox or the Halos. Just get there baby.

Oh, pilot of the storm who leaves no trace, like thoughts inside a dream Heed the path that led me to that place, yellow desert stream My Shangri-La beneath the summer moon, I will return again Sure as the dust that floats high in June, when movin' through Kashmir. - Led Zepplin "Kashmir"

Red Headed Step Problem Child

Damn, That was a tough loss.  The Sox had em on the ropes with a huge two run homer by Jason Bay.  Then Paps gives up a homer to Don...Dan Johnson? and the shit hits the fan.  Paps was throwing gas but the pesky Rays found a way to pull more late inning heroics from their asses.  This guy, Johnson, was in AAA ball an hour before the game

 and comes up and jacks one off  Pap's 96 mph cheese.  Are these guys chasing the impossible dream?  

Man tonights game better go well or this division could slip away.  When you get them by the throat you have to finish them and the Sox let that chance slip away last nig

ht.  They had the lead after another smoke and mirrors Dice K performance had some good middle relief from Manny and Oki and Paps blows it.  Go Figure! 

At least captain Josh "Huge Balls" Beckett is on the hill tonight.  Hopefully the Sox can get back

 on the horse and put a dagger in these guys.  I don't think I could stand another loss this week after the Brady injury and trying to talk myself into thinking Cassel can win 8-11 games I don't think my stomach could take it. Hopefully I don't have to turn to the bottle.  This could get ugly. 

Time to beat the Rays like the Red headed step child they are.

   

Sox Therapy

After the horrible Sunday afternoon and Monday morning here in Title town we needed the Sox to take our minds off the Pats lost chance for perfection.  Well they took game one of the three game set at Fenway against the Rays.  While it didn't sop the pain it certainly reminded us that the Sox haven't had the last word in the AL East race yet.  Granted Edwin Jackson fared little a chance against Lester the way he's been dealing this year, but the Sox took an early 3 run lead and that was it.  Taking the division from these guys might be easier than I thought a week or two ago.  The Sox are hitting their collective stride at the right time and the Rays are showing little fight.  These guys deserve respect?  To quote Pedro "Who the hell is Gerald!"  

Buntin is a Habit. Put it in the Ayer!

Just like I said this is not your daddy's Red Sox team. They can hit the long ball, out pitch you, and yes play small-ball. The Sox proved they could get it done and beat you any way possible yesterday with an exciting 5-4 walk off win...On a bunt single by Coco Crisp; thanks to a pebble. The Orioles bullpen blew this one big time, but the Sox will take the sweep right on to Texas. Ohh and Pedroia hit another bomb to give the Sox their first run of the game. MVP??? I'm just saying.

All this while Tampa Bay is losing division games and can't bring in any fans while sitting atop the AL East in first place. 13,478 I'm pretty sure some High School football games I've been to have drawn more fans. But, when your team lives in Paradise where everyone is hitting the beach up I guess you have bigger things to devote your time to. Sorry Tampa Bay the Sox are going to rain on this parade. Not even you can stop it Dickey V with your upbeat attitude and wonderous ACC commentary. Take your PTP'ers & diaper dandy's on the Rays and shove em up your Arse. Ahhahahahahhahahhahahhaahhahahhahahahahhahahahahaaha!

By the way is this the greatest site on the internet or what? Is this a close second or what?