MLB FanHouse

Jeremy Hermida Traded to Red Sox

Matt Snyder — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Marlins, Red Sox, MLB Transactions

With the conclusion of the World Series, it appears Major League Baseball isn't wasting any time thrusting us directly into Hot Stove season. In the midst of Mark Teahen rumors, we have been served our first actual trade. The Boston Red Sox have acquired 25-year-old outfielder Jeremy Hermida from the Florida Marlins for pitchers Jose Alvarez and Hunter Jones.

Thus far in his career, Hermida has failed to live up to the lofty expectations that come for someone with his natural abilities. A former first-rounder once said to have five-tool potential, Hermida has hit .265 with a barely above average OPS through just over 3 1/2 seasons in the bigs. Of course, some circumstances should be considered.

Remember, Hermida will enter 2010 at the ripe, young age of 26. It's not like he never has a chance to live up to the first-round expectations. Secondly, he's been playing home games in the spacious Land Shark Stadium. Despite an outlier last season (where it somehow, inexplicably, became a hitter's park), the Marlins' home field is traditionally rough on power hitters. Hermida's splits show he has had trouble hitting at home, and we have a perfect sample upon which to judge.

Through his career, Hermida has played exactly 258 games at home and on the road. At home, he's hitting .253 with 23 home runs, 94 RBI and a .721 OPS. On the road he's hitting .276 with 34 home runs, 116 RBI and an .815 OPS. Clearly, the ballpark was doing a number on Hermida.

Another plus is he'll get to join a much more potent lineup in Boston, though it appears he may not have an immediate starting spot. Hermida is a corner outfielder, as are Jason Bay and J.D. Drew. Bay is a free agent and it's not a sure thing the Red Sox re-up with him. It should also be noted Hermida's name was in the mix in the Manny Ramirez trade rumors in the summer of '08 -- a move that eventually landed the Red Sox Bay. Thus, Theo Epstein and company may have had their eyes on Hermida for a while. Maybe they wouldn't mind replacing Bay with him, however, a source told FanHouse that the trade will not effect the Red Sox' effort to retain Bay.

Perhaps it's just insurance in case they can't sign Bay?

As for the players the Marlins received, Jones is a 25-year-old lefty who had a 4.25 ERA in 53 Triple-A innings this year. He appeared in 11 games for the Red Sox and was roughed up for a 9.24 ERA. Alvarez looks like the Marlins' prize in the deal. He only made his way to Single-A-Advanced this season, but put up a 2.26 ERA in 26 total outings. He is a 20-year-old left-hander.

Jeremy Hermida Traded to Red Sox originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jason Bay Has Options in Free Agency

Knox Bardeen — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Red Sox, AL East

The Red Sox have a storied history of long-term, very popular left fielders patrolling the grounds in front of the Green Monster at Fenway Park.

Ted Williams spent 16 years in left field for Boston, Carl Yastrzemski lasted 11 and Jim Rice played 12 years. If you add the eight years of Mike Greenwell's tenure and seven from Manny Ramirez, those five players have spent 54 of the 69 years since Williams' first year in 1940 playing left field for the Red Sox.

Now, that's job security.

Jason Bay has been playing in left field for a season and a half, and for the first time in his seven-year career is up for free agency. Will Bay continue the trend of longevity? On Thursday, Bay spent some time chatting with fans on WEEI's website. The topic of his impending free agency took up most of the chat even though Bay says he's not sure what he's looking for yet.

"There isn't one important factor.", Bay said when a chat participant asked what factored into which team he would select. "The funny thing is that everybody has an opinion of what I'm waiting (f)or or what I'm doing and I don't even have an opinion, and that's the truth."

Bay's agent, Joe Urbon, told WEEI that he feels Bay will be the most complete free agent on the market (the free-agency period won't open until the conclusion of the World Series, and the Red Sox have exclusive negotiation rights for 15 days after that). "I think the most important thing about Jason Bay is that he is truly the most complete player in this free-agent class. I don't think, I know."

Whether Bay takes his show on the road to test the free-agent market or signs quickly to stay in Boston remains to be seen. Rumors are flying that the Red Sox may be willing to spend $60 million for four years to rehire Bay. Not only is that good money, but it would be a nice fit for someone who admittedly loves the atmosphere in Boston.

"Playing left field in Boston is great for a few reasons. The history of the wall and all the players who have played there in past years make it really special", said Bay in the chat room. He's also a fan of playing for Terry Francona -- and there's much to be said about finding a positive player-manager relationship.

One of the criteria not mentioned by Bay in his chat is playing for a contender. The 31-year-old left fielder has it made in Boston compared to the days he spent in Pittsburgh. A quick scan shows that three playoff contenders could be in the market for a free-agent left fielder. The New York Mets and San Francisco Giants could surely offer similar money to Bay if that four-year, $60 million contract is the benchmark. The Atlanta Braves, who likely wouldn't spend that much money, are also in need of a big stick in the middle of their lineup.

A fourth option may be St. Louis, which is another fanatical baseball-driven town. For the Cardinals to throw their hat in the ring in an attempt to sign Bay, their current left fielder, Matt Holliday, would have to sign elsewhere. Holliday is also eligible to become a free agent when the World Series ends.

The options for Bay are plentiful, as you can see. It's hard to think that he's not going to see how much the market will pay for his services. Wherever he ends up, it's sure to be an interesting ride.

Jason Bay Has Options in Free Agency originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Dugout: Common Ground

B. Thompson Stroud — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Cardinals, Dodgers, Phillies, Red Sox, Rockies, Yankees, MLB Playoffs, The Dugout

The playoffs are almost over and the stage is set for the defending World Champion Philadelphia Phillies to face the dreadnought New York Yankees ... or the Los Angeles Angels Angels, pending a dead Christopher Lloyd-style miracle.

The bottom line is this: the World Series is like one block to our left, and we're going to have to start buckling down and making some declarative statements. Before we do that, though, today's Dugout features some pre-ALCS decision arguing and some sad realities.

The Dugout

	Online Host Welcome to the 2009 MLB Playoffs Chat!
	NeedsABathia: ...and then if we beat the Angels tonight, we go to the World Series. I can't believe it.
	ManuelLabor: that's great... it's gonna be the very best team in the AL against the very best team in the NL.
	BenFranciscoGiants: it's fun to hate on you because y'all are a bunch of greedy homosexual ingrate dirtbags, but "baseball success" and "Yankees" are pretty much synonymous
	ACliffLeeTiltingPlanet: And hey, if we're gonna win, we should win against the best!
	CarlNotLenny: well yeah they're good, but "best in the AL?" I don't know, I thought we had a real shot at it
	PeteRoseWentToBetancourt: the yankees won 161 1/2 of 162 games this year no offense to the twins but
	FightTheHerges: It doesn't matter! The Angels aren't out of this yet. The ANGELS are the best team in the AL.
	TheDefeatedVictor: yeah right, they're the best team because they're in the AL West, even the Orioles could win 80 games in the AL West
	InTheSpringBecomesDeRosa: dude, have you SEEN the Orioles?
	TheDefeatedVictor: not since I came to Boston, they wouldn't let me play, they've got me washing their dishes
	LudwickVanBeethoven: the AL West isn't so bad, you've still gotta beat the Mariners 55 times out of 60
	InTheSpringBecomesDeRosa: washing their dishes??
	FightTheHerges: Angels/Phils Angels win in 5
	TheDefeatedVictor: yeah I hear next season they're gonna sign David Eckstein and David Wright and move Fenway Park to Berlin
	PointBlake: we kept telling people to "think blue," but I guess we should've specified the shade
	PunchedYourBelliard: anybody still picking the angels is a dumb, i'm still picking the angels to lose in the first round i don't care what you say
	NeedsABathia: come on, guys, calm down, I can't tell where the conversation is going anymore
	ManuelLabor: Everyone here deserved to be here. We all had great seasons, win or lose, and we gotta remember that.
	ACliffLeeTiltingPlanet: maybe if we could all find some common ground
	NeedsABathia: I'm pitching my next two games on one day and twenty minutes rest respectively, is anybody else doing that
	CarlNotLenny: lol no
	InTheSpringBecomesDeRosa: well we all like 30 Rock, don't we? That's new tonight, we could watch that instead of the Yankees
	PointBlake: I find 30 Rock to be pedantic, overrated, and mediocre at best. Also, "underwhelming"
	LudwickVanBeethoven: give me a break, what kind of shows do you like then
	FightTheHerges: I bet he says "Scrubs"
	PointBlake: why yes I do like Scrubs, I like how they go from jokey to serious without any warning and I also love the use of low-distrubition rock songs to show emotion instead of dialogue or acting
	PointBlake: I also like "My Name Is Earl." Your point???
	PeteRoseWentToBetancourt: we should check and see if we all have the same birthday, in case we are merely fragments of an insane man's imagination
	BenFranciscoGiants: maybe we all been dead this whole time!
	ManuelLabor: What about baseball? We all love baseball, right?
	NeedsABathia: nah man I f***in hate baseball
	ManuelLabor: What!! Since when?
	NeedsABathia: when you get traded to New York they put you under and remove the part of your brain that thinks baseball is fun and happy and replace it with one that treats it like a stressful obligation
	NeedsABathia: it also makes you think Ed Hardy clothes and Affliction t-shirts are cool
	CarlNotLenny: come to think of it Ed Hardy is pretty bad ass
	TheDefeatedVictor: I guess we're never gonna find common ground
	ManuelLabor: Yeah, you're right. I mean, what could EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US have in common?
	Online Host Meanwhile, in the Los Angeles Dodgers Chatroom...
	WordUpThome: /sits on bench with head in hands
	MannyTheTorpedoes: nyah hee hee /makes bizarre scooping gesture with hands
	WordUpThome: WHAT ARE YOU DOING
	MannyTheTorpedoes: signelling to payro that we are oud of playoffs
	MannyTheTorpedoes: r u ok do u wan hifive
	WordUpThome: NO, I'M NOT FINE. IT FEELS LIKE IT IS JUST NEVER GONNA...
	WordUpThome: NEVERMIND, I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABO
	WordUpThome: ABOUT IT
	MannyTheTorpedoes: what r u gona do neg season /puts entire sunflower into mouth
	WordUpThome: HEAD BACK TO THE AMERICAN LEAGUE, SEE IF ANY TEAMS NEED A NIGH IMMOBILE OLD MAN D.H. HOW ABOUT YOU
	MannyTheTorpedoes: gona get millons of dollar to be gray at baseball sometime an sometime not care go home watch spontchbob
	WordUpThome: ALL THAT WORK WE DID TRAVELING THE COUNTRY ON A TANDEM BICYCLE, AND WHAT DID IT GET US
	MannyTheTorpedoes: cople extra weeks of beisbol
	WordUpThome: I GUESS I SHOULDN'T HAVE EXPECTED A BUNCH OF CLEVELAND INDIANS TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS
	WordUpThome: SEE YOU NEXT SEASON, BUDDY
	MannyTheTorpedoes: bye jim tommy
	Online Host WordUpThome has left the chatroom.

Photos link to player info. (Photo Credit: Getty Images) WordUpThome.com

The Dugout: Common Ground originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fenway Sports Group Enters Partnership With EPL's Fulham

Andrew Johnson — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:25:00 EST

Filed under: Red Sox, MLB Biz

Fenway Sports Group, the sports marketing company owned by the Boston Red Sox, has expanded its media empire, entering into a sponsorship deal with Fulham FC, an English Premier League soccer club.

The company already has a number of similar partnerships in other sports, most famously with Roush Fenway Racing, the NASCAR racing team that features top drivers Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards. Might this be there most impressive partnership yet?

That's hard to say, but partnering with a side from the Premiership can't be a bad thing. The EPL might not register much here in the NFL-centric United States, but its the most popular and powerful professional sports league in the world, with club revenues for the 2007-08 season exceeding $3 billion.

Picking Fulham, though? That's a little strange. The London side is probably more famous for being owned by Egyptian businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed than for its success on the pitch (that's the field, for those of you that are soccer-illiterate). The Cottagers, as they're known, have never finished higher than seventh in the Premier League.

The Yankees partnered with Manchester United eight years ago, a collaboration that was much more congruous given the championship pedigree both shared. Fulham is more akin to the Minnesota Twins, while the Red Sox are similar to some of the more famous English sides like Arsenal and Liverpool.

The most exciting development for any stateside soccer fan is that Fenway Sports Group is now considering the possibility of bringing a Premier League match to Fenway Park. The oldest venue in the majors has hosted a string of rock concerts in recent years and will host the NHL's Winter Classic, an annual outdoor game, on New Year's Day.

"It's absolutely an idea at this stage," [COO Sam] Kennedy said. "It might not even be a good idea.

"Our mission is to explore all sorts of what we call 'blue chip events' in Fenway Park. It started back in 2003 with the Bruce Springsteen concert. We're having outdoor hockey games with the NHL and Hockey East. The concept of an English Premier League game at Fenway is very, very exciting, and fits in line with our standard of events.

"I don't know that they would be interested in doing it. We need to do some more homework and see if it would work."

OK, so a match on Yawkey Way seems a long way off right now, but for soccer fans in America, it's something to dream about.

Fenway Sports Group Enters Partnership With EPL's Fulham originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scott Boras Gives Us a Clue on How Much Matt Holliday Will Cost

Tom Fornelli — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:07:00 EST

Filed under: Angels, Cardinals, Red Sox, Yankees, MLB Rumors

During FanHouse's marathon live chat of the ALCS and NLCS yesterday, I couldn't help but notice Scott Boras directly behind home plate as the Angels took on the Yankees in Game 3. I was informed during the chat by our own Jeff Fletcher that Boras has season tickets behind home plate at both Angels and Dodger Stadium, and he likes to show up early so he's available to the media.

Well, Boras was available Monday, and he fired his opening salvo of the Matt Holliday Sweepstakes this winter. It looks like any team that wants to sign Holliday should start their offers somewhere in the range of the eight-year $180 million that Mark Teixeira got from the Yankees last winter.

"These guys are blue-collar superstars," Boras said. "They don't hit 50 home runs, but they're complete players. They can give you something without swinging a bat."

Teixeira signed with the New York Yankees last winter, for $180 million. Boras would not say what his asking price would be for Holliday, but he made clear he considered Holliday's abilities in getting on base, hitting for power and playing superior defense similar to those of Teixeira.

"There are differences between hitters and complete players," Boras said. "Matt Holliday is a complete player.

"There is, frankly, no one like him in the market."

Well I don't know what Jason Bay did to deserve that last comment besides not sign with Scott Boras, but I think it's clear that no matter what Holliday has said, he's not going to be returning to St. Louis next season. I just don't see them paying that kind of money when they're trying to sign Albert Pujols to an extension.

As for where Holliday is likely to end up given the cost, the usual suspects come to mind. The Los Angeles Angels will probably show interest as they may be looking to replace Vladimir Guerrero, as may be the case in Boston as well should the Red Sox let Jason Bay walk. Both New York teams are likely to get involved as well, though I'm not sure how hard of a charge the Yankees will make considering the amount of money they spent on Teixeira, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett last season.

Though if Boston is involved, the Bombers might get involved just to drive up the price.

Scott Boras Gives Us a Clue on How Much Matt Holliday Will Cost originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Red Sox Plan to Pick Up Tim Wakefield's Option Pending Surgery Results

Tom Fornelli — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:22:00 EST

Filed under: Red Sox, MLB Injuries

Knuckleballer and longtime Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield is set to undergo surgery on his back Wednesday to relieve pressure on the nerves in a herniated disc that is pressing against in his lower back. The disc caused Wakefield to feel weakness in his right leg, and limited him to only four starts following the All-Star break and kept him off the team's ALDS roster.

It could turn out to be an expensive operation for Wakefield, and not because he has a bad health care plan. No, the reason is that if the surgery turns out to be successful, which it's expected to, then the Red Sox have said they plan on picking up his $4 million option to return next season.

It is expected if the surgery goes as planned that the Red Sox will pick up the pitcher's $4 million team option. "Wake is someone that is in our plans and we hope makes starts for us next year and is a member of the rotation," said Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein during his Monday press conference. "We haven't sat down and finalized anything. Obviously we want to see how the surgery goes and then both sides will sit down and talk."

The 43-year-old veteran has been very useful for the Red Sox during his time there, as both a starter and a reliever, and was having one of the best seasons of his career before the back problems sidelined him. He was named to his first All-Star team after going 11-3 before the break.

If he does return to Boston next season it will be his 16th year in a Red Sox uniform.

Red Sox Plan to Pick Up Tim Wakefield's Option Pending Surgery Results originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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John Farrell Not Interested in Indians Job

Pat Lackey — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:19:00 EST

Filed under: Indians, Red Sox, AL Central, AL East, MLB Rumors

It's now ten days after the end of the 2009 baseball season and the only thing the Cleveland Indians know about their vacant managerial position is that it won't be filled by Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell. That's because Farrell, who was initially seen as a front-runner for the job, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer today that while he is interested in managing some day, he's not interested in the Indians job and he'd rather stay in his position in Boston.

As the former farm director in Cleveland under Mark Shapiro, Farrell seemed like maybe the most logical choice for the job, but this isn't the first time he's turned a managerial job down. He was believed to be the frontrunner in 2007 in Pittsburgh, where former Shapiro assistant Neal Huntington is GM, but he also asked for his name to be removed from consideration then, as well.

Farrell mentions that he has a "mutual commitment" with Boston, but since Boston granted him the right to interview earlier in the week it's hard to imagine they'd begrudge him leaving for a managerial position. It could be that he simply likes being a pitching coach or working with the current Boston staff and doesn't want to give that up right now or that he feels too much loyalty towards Terry Francona to bail on his contract. Or it could be that he just doesn't want to manage somewhere like Pittsburgh or Cleveland enough to give up his job in Boston.

It is still early in the Indians' process, so Shapiro should still have plenty of time to find a suitable candidate. The Plain Dealer says that he and his staff are currently narrowing the list down to three to five names, at which point they'll begin face-to-face interviews. There are no names named, but Bobby Valentine's name has cropped up in the past week or so.

John Farrell Not Interested in Indians Job originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Billy Wagner Talking Retirement

Tom Fornelli — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Red Sox, MLB Rumors

After coming to the Boston Red Sox this season Billy Wagner made 17 appearances out of the bullpen and posted a 1.72 ERA. It was exactly the type of performance Wagner needed to help his chances of finding a closer's job somewhere in 2010, which is what he had been saying he wanted to do. Preferably one near his Virginia home.

Well after allowing two runs in the eighth inning of Boston's loss to end their season on Saturday, it sounds like Wagner is changing his tune. When asked about what his plans were for next season on Monday Wagner implied that he's planning to retire.

"I don't plan on talking to nobody," Wagner said, when asked where he might pitch next season.

Does that mean retirement?

"Why wouldn't I?" he said. "I've got nothing else to [accomplish]."

Which isn't entirely true as Wagner is only 15 saves shy of 400 in his career, and that is one of the reasons he gave earlier this season for wanting to return in 2010. Now Wagner says the 400 save mark is just "dust in the wind."

Though you have to wonder if it's possible that after letting the sting of being swept out of the first round of the playoffs wears off in the coming weeks, Wagner will change his mind. Which is a theory his agent Bean Stringfellow -- greatest name ever? -- echoed.

"Those comments probably came right after the Red Sox lost, so I'd bet they were said in the heat of the moment, when he was very frustrated," said Stringfellow a few minutes ago over the phone. "That's probably not the best time to take comments like that as gospel.

"That's not what Billy has told me or indicated to me about next year. That's not to say that he couldn't, but he's given me no indication that he will retire. Certainly I am moving towards him playing next year."

And there's no way a man named Bean Stringfellow would lie to you.

Billy Wagner Talking Retirement originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Playoff Pulse: Games Compelling, but Dramatic Series Sorely Lacking

Andrew Johnson — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Angels, Phillies, Red Sox, Rockies, Yankees, American League Division Series, National League Division Series, Playoff Pulse

Playoff Pulse is our morning rundown of the night that was and the night that will be during the MLB postseason.

Looking Forward ...

TNT purports to know drama. Its sister network TBS knows all too well the absence of it. At least when it comes to the Division Series, that is.

For the second time in three years, there were three sweeps in the opening round of the playoffs (there was only one in 2008). October baseball is all about drama, and while the games themselves have been extremely compelling this year, once again there just aren't going to be enough of them in the first round.

In fact, this problem extends beyond TBS' coverage of the postseason, which began in 2007, and outside the Division Series.

As FanHouse's Jeff Fletcher points out, 11 of the last 20 LDS have been sweeps dating back to 2005, and the last first-round series to go the distance was Angels-Yankees in '05. Since the 2004 postseason when both the ALCS and NLCS went seven games, 15 of 32 playoff series -- almost half -- have been sweeps. Conversely, only four of 31 (with the 32nd the not-yet-completed Phillies-Rockies NLDS) have gone the distance.

What to make of it? Probably very little, other than a bizarre fluke -- it's not as if parity is lacking, especially this season. Little that is, except disappointment.

In Their Own Words
"You need a hit. You need to keep the rally, keep it going. You need to stand up in that situation and show if you're a good hitter that's what the good hitters, you want it to be. That's what happened. That's my reaction. That was so emotion." -- Bobby Abreu on his contribution to the Angels' stunning rally to beat the Red Sox.
By the Numbers
15 Postseason wins by Andy Pettitte after he picked up the decisive victory in Game 3 of the Twins-Yankees ALDS. Pettitte is tied for the all-time lead with John Smoltz. -- Ed Price
More From FanHouse
Price: Yanks Draw Nemesis Steele: Halos Exorcise Demons Tomasson: Cold Call Piliere: Scouting Notes

Looking Back ...

Can the J.D. Drew vitriol be put to bed now? That's probably a silly question since Drew, a guy who has done nothing wrong in his career other than get hurt, seems to be a magnet for criticism.

But it really should be.

All Drew has done in a Red Sox uniform is produce, hitting .276 with a .390 on-base percentage and a .486 slugging average. Oh, he's also a terrific right fielder.

Drew was Boston's highest-paid player this year. He's certainly not its best. But that's more a quirk of baseball's financial structure than anything else. Tim Lincecum wasn't the highest-paid Giant nor Evan Longoria the highest-paid Ray. More often than not, salaries do not mirror production, at least directly.

But that's a digression. Drew may not be Boston's top star, but he is among its best, and he's hit some critical playoff home runs. His grand slam in Game 7 of the 2007 ALCS was the final nail in the Indians' coffin. His two-run blast in Game 2 of the 2008 ALDS off of record-setting closer Francisco Rodriguez put the Angels in an insurmountable hole. Had his titanic two-run shot off of Scott Kazmir in Game 3 of this year's ALDS held up, it would have been yet another huge postseason big fly.

From the infamous Red Sox message board Sons of Sam Horn comes these numbers (double-checked by yours truly) on J.D. Drew when Boston is facing elimination: Drew is hitting .400/.483/.840 (AVG/OBP/SLG), with three home runs, five extra-base hits and 11 RBI.

Who wouldn't want that guy on their side?

Scout's Eye View ...

If you want the definition of a quality at-bat, look at A-Rod's seventh-inning battle with Carl Pavano on Sunday night. Quite often there is an obvious mistake by a pitcher early in a count that results in a home run, or in other cases there is finally a mistake forced by the hitter. This was a case of the latter against a pitcher who was on the top of his game.

Taking the close pitches and fouling off the tough ones, he was able to work the count full until Pavano left a fastball just elevated enough that he could drive it. In Pavano's defense, it was not a clear mistake pitch. When you are swinging the bat like A-Rod though, a minor mistake is all it takes. The rocket of a home run he drove over the right-field wall is the type of thing you'll see when he is letting the ball come to him. It can't be said enough what a special, and locked in player it takes to be able to drive a pitch like that in a two-strike count.

-- Frankie Piliere (Full Scouting Notebook)

Monday's Tale of the Tape ...

Phillies (Cliff Lee) at Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez), 6:07 PM ET: We've seen what Lee can do to the Colorado offense. Following his Game 1 shutout, he's 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA against the Rockies in 2009 (and his career). The X-factor? He's never pitched in Coors Field, the ballpark which yielded the most runs in the majors in 2009. Despite the aforementioned Coors effect, Jimenez's ERA is actually a tick better at home -- something that could be attributed to comfort. He's coming off a less-than-stellar outing against these Phillies, but he's shown the ability to make good adjustments during the 2009 season. Beginning May 1, Jimenez allowed four runs or more six times and he followed those outings by giving up two earned runs or less each time out.

Playoff Pulse: Games Compelling, but Dramatic Series Sorely Lacking originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In Case You Were Wondering, A-Rod as Locked In as Ever This October

Frankie Piliere — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:03:00 EST

Filed under: Red Sox, Twins, Yankees, MLB Playoffs, American League Division Series, Scout's Eye View

In Advanced Scouting, MLB FanHouse's professional talent evaluator breaks down the playoffs from a scouting perspective.

Rest easy Yankee fans. It appears that you finally have the real Alex Rodriguez at just the right time. Sure, it's easy to say it's early, A-Rod still has much to prove and has many demons to overcome, but this is not just about results. Looking at him simply from a mechanical and approach standpoint, Rodriguez looks absolutely locked in.

Many sluggers like Rodriguez can overcome a poor approach at times and get by on pure ability, and to an extent the same goes for him. But, when you are looking for the super-human results that Yankee fans expect, look no further than his comfort level with his mechanics at the plate.

Unlike most hitters, Rodriguez has the luxury of being able to battle his mechanics and fight through adjustments, while still putting up good numbers. Tthe difference between the locked in A-Rod and the merely human A-Rod is very large, though. Essentially, it comes down to the quality of his at-bats. When he's right, as he clearly is right now, you see a hitter at ease with taking pitches early in the count. He is not afraid to get behind in the count and fight off tough pitches until he gets a pitch to drive. This is a player that, when he's on top of his game, can still drive the ball over 400 feet on a two-strike pitch.

On quite the opposite end of the spectrum, the out-of-sync version of A-Rod looks quite a bit in different in demeanor and approach. Tending to get caught in between, A-Rod gets pull conscious, and that's when you see those long, sweeping swings from him on outside breaking balls. That version of Rodriguez seems to have a distinct fear of getting beat by the fastball, which is why you so often see him look so poor on off-speed offerings during one of his rough patches.

Fortunately for the Yankees, Rodriguez is going through the furthest thing from a rough patch this October. Although he had his glimpses of playoff success in past ALDS action, as he did in 2004 against Minnesota, he has never looked quite so locked in and willing to drive the ball to the opposite field. When A-Rod comes to the realization that he does have the ability to wait and react late to the fastball without having to guess and start early, he is close to unstoppable. When he's at that level of confidence in his bat speed and he's staying short to the ball, he is no longer as vulnerable to the breaking ball down and away.

All mechanics aside, here is a key thing to keep an eye on in upcoming playoff action for Rodriguez. Just about the worst thing a pitcher can allow him to do is see and swing at a lot of pitches in an at-bat. As much as any hitter in the game, he gets exponentially more dangerous as he can see and file away a pitcher's arsenal. So, if you see a Rodriguez at-bat where he continues to foul off pitches, chances are he is waiting back well and unafraid of letting the pitch get right on top of him.

In his two biggest at-bats in the Twins' series against Joe Nathan in Game 2and Carl Pavano in Game 3, the pattern was similar. In both instances, Rodriguez, rather than starting the bat early, was content to foul balls off until he got a fastball he could time. Confidence is indeed an issue for A-Rod, and now that he can't be beat on the fastball, he will stay back and continue to punish the ball to center and right-center field.

Spotlight Moment

If you want the definition of a quality at-bat, look at A-Rod's seventh-inning battle with Carl Pavano on Sunday night. Quite often there is an obvious mistake by a pitcher early in a count that results in a home run, or in other cases there is finally a mistake forced by the hitter. This was a case of the latter against a pitcher who was on the top of his game.

Taking the close pitches and fouling off the tough ones, he was able to work the count full until Pavano left a fastball just elevated enough that he could drive it. In Pavano's defense, it was not a clear mistake pitch. When you are swinging the bat like A-Rod though, a minor mistake is all it takes. The rocket of a home run he drove over the right field wall is the type of thing you'll see when he is letting the ball come to him. It can't be said enough what a special, and locked in player it takes to be able to drive a pitch like that in a two-strike count.

Quick Hits

o. The end result may not have gone his way, but hats off to Carl Pavano. With every excuse to fold under the pressure of facing the Yankees lineup, he turned in a brilliant performance. But let's give him even more credit from a stuff standpoint. Pavano is known as a pitcher that relies on command and feel for pitching, but he attacked the New York lineup with some very impressive stuff. Pitching at an adrenaline-fueled 91-93 mph early on, Pavano settled into the 90-91 vicinity the rest of the night. Most impressive was his changeup. A true swing-and-miss pitch if he throws it the way he did Sunday, Pavano's change has some splitter-like action, which can be tough on both lefties and righties. He is a three-pitch pitcher who has a very good idea of how to get quality big-leaguers out. Looking ahead to next season, he may be poised for a big year if he can remain healthy.

o. Jonathan Papelbon has quality secondary pitches and plus velocity on his fastball, but the reality is that he is where he is because of fastball command. On Sunday afternoon, that command simply deserted him and he was burned because of it. Even when you are throwing 95-97 mph, big-league hitters will make you pay on fastballs in the middle of the plate -- especially when you are not showing your secondary pitches as he did (not) in this outing.

Frankie Piliere spent the last three seasons working as a scout, most recently in the professional scouting department for the Texas Rangers in 2009. He now serves as the National Baseball Analyst here at FanHouse.

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MLB Postseason Photos

The breath of Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley turns to steam in the cold during the fifth inning of Game 3 against the Colorado Rockies in a National League baseball division series in Denver on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/ David Zalubowski)

2009 Baseball Playoffs

Colorado Rockies' Dexter Fowler tries to avoid the tag of Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Joe Blanton, back, as Fowler tries to reach first base on a ground ball during the fourth inning of Game 3 in a National League division baseball series in Denver on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. Fowler was out on the play. (AP Photo/ Will Powers)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Philadelphia Phillies Joe Blanton reacts on the mound after giving up a solo homerun to Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez, who runs the bases in the background, during the fourth inning of Game 3 in a National League division baseball series in Denver on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/ Jack Dempsey)

Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez celebrates after his solo homerun in the fourth inning of Game 3 in a National League division baseball series against the Philadelphia Phillies in Denver on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/ Jack Dempsey)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

DENVER - OCTOBER 11: Joe Blanton #56 of the Philadelphia Phillies tags out Dexter Fowler #24 of the Colorado Rockies for the third out in the bottom of the fourth inning in Game Three of the NLDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Coors Field on October 11, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joe Blanton;Dexter Fowler

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DENVER - OCTOBER 11: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies hits a solo home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the bottom of the fourth inning in Game Three of the NLDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Coors Field on October 11, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/ Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carlos Gonzalez

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DENVER - OCTOBER 11: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the bottom of the fourth inning in Game Three of the NLDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Coors Field on October 11, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/ Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carlos Gonzalez

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DENVER - OCTOBER 11: Joe Blanton #56 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Colorado Rockies in Game Three of the NLDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Coors Field on October 11, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joe Blanton

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DENVER - OCTOBER 11: Jose Contreras #54 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Three of the NLDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Coors Field on October 11, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/ Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jose Contreras

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In Case You Were Wondering, A-Rod as Locked In as Ever This October originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All at Once, Vlad, Halos Exorcise Demons

David Steele — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Angels, Red Sox, MLB Playoffs, American League Division Series

BOSTON -- Even in the afterglow of the finest postseason moment of his career, Vladimir Guerrero wasn't thinking only about himself.

If that wasn't obvious by his words, one could tell as soon as he stepped to the interview podium in Fenway Park Sunday afternoon wearing a Nick Adenhart T-shirt.

So when he was asked, specifically, how great it must have felt for him to not only interrupt his personal history of playoff disappearances but also the Los Angeles Angels' dismal record against Boston with his game- and American League Division Series-winning hit, Guerrero talked not about himself, but about the teammate killed in a car crash six months ago.

Game 3: Angels 7, Red Sox 6 | Box Score | Series Home

"Yes, it's one of the biggest hits. I'm not going to say it's the biggest hit, but one thing it does bring to mind is that we lost a teammate earlier this year," Guerrero said, through an interpreter, a half-hour after the Angels had finished off the Red Sox in three straight, 7-6. "When it comes down to honoring Nick Adenhart and what happened in April in Anaheim, in that respect, yes, [it's] probably the biggest hit, because I'm dedicating that to a former teammate, a guy who passed away."

Guerrero and his Angels teammates have pointed at the unifying force of Adenhart's memory every time they've reached another milestone this season, and credited it for the way they've reached them. Certainly, the focus, resilience and ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles has to be coming from somewhere. "It seems like a more emotional team, a little more gutsy, more put together,'' Guerrero said.

The Angels had put themselves in position to finish the Sox off Sunday with late-inning magic in Game 2 in Anaheim Thursday, mainly Erick Aybar's two-run triple.

Still, few obstacles seem as unscalable as what the Angels faced Sunday -- top of the ninth inning, down by two runs, Jonathan Papelbon taking the mound 26-for-26 in scoreless postseason innings in his career, and a sold-out crowd rising in anticipation, and probably planning on bundling up for Game 4 Monday night.

It got worse for the Angels: two outs, and one strike away from that fourth game, against Aybar. Then one strike away against Chone Figgins. Then one strike away against Bobby Abreu. Papelbon never got any of those third strikes. Two batters after that -- an intentional walk to Torii Hunter to load the bases with the lead now down to one run, then Guerrero's slashing of Papelbon's first pitch into centerfield to score the jubilant Figgins and Abreu -- Papelbon was walking off the mound to some completely unfamiliar exit music: scattered boos.

"You know,'' said Angels manager Mike Scioscia, "we knew going into it, one of their big strengths was their bullpen, and you're not going to get to [Papelbon] very often. But we did this afternoon. ... I can't say enough about our guys, just good at-bats with two outs in the ninth, just to string together those hits, get the tying run to the plate and eventually to second base.

"And I felt great for Vlad -- hopefully a momentum-builder for him. That's the biggest hit he's had.''

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Red Sox-Angels Photos

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Erick Aybar celebrates after catching a pop-up by Boston Red Sox's Dustin Pedroia for the final out as the Angels won Game 3 of an American League baseball division series 7-6 in Boston, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Red Sox vs. Angels

BOSTON - OCTOBER 11: Bobby Abreu #53 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts after he hits a RBI double in the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game Three of the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Fenway Park on October 11, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Angels defeated the Red Sox 7-6 to advance to the ALCS. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bobby Abreu

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BOSTON - OCTOBER 11: Closer Brian Fuentes #40 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrates his teams 7-6 victory over the Boston Red Sox to win Game Three and the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Fenway Park on October 11, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brian Fuentes

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BOSTON - OCTOBER 11: Juan Rivera #20 and Erick Aybar #2 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim react in the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game Three of the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Fenway Park on October 11, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Erick Aybar;Juan Rivera

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BOSTON - OCTOBER 11: Closer Brian Fuentes #40 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on the mound in the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox to win Game Three and the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Fenway Park on October 11, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Angels defeated the Red Sox 7-6. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brian Fuentes

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BOSTON - OCTOBER 11: (M) Gary Matthews Jr. #24 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and his teammates run out onto the field after the Angels defeated the Boston Red Sox 7-6 in Game Three of the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Fenway Park on October 11, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Gary Matthews

Getty Images

BOSTON - OCTOBER 11: Closer Brian Fuentes #40 and catcher Jeff Mathis #5 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrate with their teammates their 7-6 victory against the Boston Red Sox in Game Three of the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Fenway Park on October 11, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Angels swept the Red Sox and advance to the ALCS. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Mathis;Brian Fuentes

Getty Images

BOSTON - OCTOBER 11: Bobby Abreu #53 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hits a RBI double in the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game Three of the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Fenway Park on October 11, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Angels defeated the Red Sox 7-6 to advance to the ALCS. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bobby Abreu

Getty Images

Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, left, is removed by manager Terry Francona, right, in the ninth inning of Game 3 of an American League baseball division series against the Los Angeles Angels in Boston, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon waits to be relieved in the ninth inning during Game 3 of an American League baseball division series against the Los Angeles Angels in Boston, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

When Guerrero came to the plate, it didn't seem terribly obvious that this would be the time he'd break out. Covering four postseasons, from 2005 to the first two games of this series, he had one RBI in his last 19 games. For the series going into that at-bat, his 3-for-9 total looked decent, but still, no RBI or extra-base hit. The grand slam off Mike Timlin in the 2004 playoffs, and the six RBI he had in that series, felt like ancient history. (At the same time, the Angels' four playoff series losses to Boston in four tries were very fresh, especially after 1986 postseason hero Dave Henderson threw out the first pitch Sunday.)

In Game 3, though, Guerrero had gone 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored before facing Papelbon in the ninth, and he seemed due in more ways than one: Scioscia praised him for his previous plate appearances, working counts, seeing more pitches, basically going against his free-swinging instincts.

"You're not going to get to [Papelbon] very often. But we did this afternoon. ... I can't say enough about our guys."
- Angels manager Mike Scioscia Yet Sox manager Terry Francona weighed that and chose to play the percentages in the ninth; with first open after Abreu's clutch double off the wall in left brought the Angels to within 6-5 and put Figgins at third as the tying run, Francona put Hunter on and bet on his money closer to get Guerrero.

"Pap throws strikes, and he had had a lot of success against Guerrero,'' he said. "I guess, put in a nutshell, we thought it would put us in a better chance to win. It didn't work.''

The fact that the previous three Angels (excluding Hunter and his free pass) had nicked Papelbon up, especially with two strikes, helped enormously. "When you see a guy in front of you who took a lot of pitches,'' Abreu said, "it helped you see the velocity of the fastball and especially on the splitter, too -- and his commitment and command.''

Not that Guerrero isn't already as aggressive a hitter as exists in baseball today, but he said he was ready to go after the first good pitch he saw and had a good idea what he would see, again because of what he'd already seen in that inning from Papelbon.

It was a quintessential display of the kind of smart, unyielding ball the Angels have played all season. Starter Scott Kazmir got whacked all over the yard in the second, third and fourth innings and fell behind 5-1, but it could have been a lot worse. The Angels chipped away to get it to 5-4, then saw Papelbon, in with two outs in the eighth, pick the tying run off first to end the inning. The Sox followed by putting up an insurance run in the bottom half.

"Our guys were just saying, 'Let's get that tying run up, somebody get on and let's keep having good at-bats,''' Scioscia said.

"We don't take anything for granted, but we were in a good situation,'' Francona said. "And that's the way they've played all year -- they don't stop playing.''

The Angels kept playing long enough to get their most dangerous hitter to the plate with the game and series in the balance, and Guerrero reversed a career's worth of letdowns in big spots with ... well, one of the biggest hits of his life, at least.

"Hopefully it'll be the start of something good,'' Scioscia said, "because we're going to need him swinging the bat like he can, moving forward.''

All at Once, Vlad, Halos Exorcise Demons originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Angels Rally Off Papelbon in 9th to Sweep Red Sox

FanHouse Newswire — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:55:00 EST

Filed under: Angels, Red Sox, MLB Playoffs, American League Division Series

BOSTON (AP) -- Vladimir Guerrero and the Los Angeles Angels shrugged off their postseason failures and swept the Boston Red Sox out of the playoffs.

Guerrero hit a two-out, two-run single off Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth inning and the Angels rallied past Boston 7-6 in Game 3 Sunday, advancing to the AL championship series with their first postseason sweep in franchise history.

The Red Sox intentionally walked Torii Hunter with runners on second and third to bring up Guerrero, a star who had long been waiting for a big October hit. And he came through against Papelbon, who had never before allowed a run in the postseason.

"That's the biggest hit he's had," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think the way we did it, in a sweep, in Game 3 with two out in the ninth, gives us momentum."

The Angels open their first ALCS since 2005 on Friday against either the New York Yankees or Minnesota. The Yankees led that series 2-0 going into Game 3 Sunday night.

Los Angeles trailed 5-1 early, was behind 5-2 after seven innings and still down 6-4 when Papelbon retired the first two batters of the ninth. Erick Aybar singled on a two-strike pitch, Chone Figgins walked and Bobby Abreu singled in one run - the first postseason run Papelbon had allowed in 27 innings.

After Hunter was walked intentionally, Guerrero, who had one RBI in his previous 19 postseason games, singled sharply to center on the first pitch as Figgins and Abreu raced home.

Major league saves leader Brian Fuentes pitched a perfect ninth for Los Angeles. Dustin Pedroia popped it up to Aybar for the final out, with the shortstop pumping his right arm even as he tracked the ball with his left.

The AL West champion Angels came streaming out of the dugout. Jered Weaver joined his teammates on-field waving the jersey of Nick Adenhart, who was killed in an April car crash with a man who has been charged with drunken driving.

The crowd that just one inning earlier had been primed for a celebration quietly filed out of Fenway Park for the last time in 2009, having seen the wild-card Red Sox beaten.

The Red Sox had won 12 of 13 postseason games against the Angels heading into the series, including an 11-game winning streak that dated back to Dave Henderson's homer off Donnie Moore in the 1986 ALCS - Hendu's shot in Game 5 sent the Red Sox to a win by the same 7-6 score.

Henderson, not coincidentally, threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Sunday, even adding a little jump and twist like the one he did after he helped propel Boston to within one strike of the '86 World Series title.

Boston didn't win it that year, but they ended their 86-year championship drought in 2004 after sweeping Los Angeles in the first round. The Red Sox swept out the Angels again in '07 en route to a second title, and beat them in four games last year before losing to Tampa Bay in the ALCS.

Darren Oliver earned the victory after getting one out in relief, and Papelbon took his first career postseason loss. The Red Sox closer had converted seven of his previous eight postseason save opportunities.

But after Billy Wagner put two on with two out in the eighth, the Red Sox were forced to bring Papelbon in with a 5-2 lead. He gave up a two-run single to Juan Rivera that made 5-4 before picking pinch-runner Reggie Willits off first base.

After Mike Lowell's RBI single made it 6-4 in the eighth, Papelbon got Maicer Izturis on a foul popup and Mike Napoli on a fly ball to center. Abreu lined one off the Green Monster to cut the lead to 6-5, and the Red Sox appeared to have caught a break when Figgins held up at third while the throw from left fielder Jason Bay rolled into the infield.

But after Hunter walked, Guerrero singled up the center for the go-ahead hit.

Guerrero is an eight-time All-Star and former AL MVP with a .321 career batting average, 407 home runs and 1,318 RBIs. A free swinger, he was regarded as someone who could hit any pitch, even ones that bounced.

But ever since a couple of big hits vs. Boston in the 2004 division series, Guerrero had barely made a dent in the postseason. He'd managed only one extra-base hit - a double - in 69 at-bats going into Game 3.

Angels Game 3 starter Scott Kazmir, who was on the Rays last year and he didn't join Los Angeles until Aug. 28, spotted the Red Sox a 5-1 lead as their bats awoke from a postseason slump. The three runs Boston scored in the third inning were more than it had scored in the first two games of the series combined.

In fact, Boston had scored a total of two runs in 32 postseason innings before taking a 3-0 lead on Sunday.

NOTES: In Game 2 of the 2007 World Series, Papelbon protected a one-run lead by picking Colorado's Matt Holliday off first to end the eighth inning - it was Papelbon's first career pickoff. ... Emergency Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka was throwing in the sixth, but likely just to loosen up. He was not in the playoff rotation but would have come in if Buchholz had faltered early. ... The Red Sox hadn't been eliminated in Boston since the Chicago White Sox finished off a three-game sweep in the 2005 first round. ... Napoli was hit by a pitch in the second inning, but Red Sox catcher Victor Martinez argued that it hit the end of his bat. Napoli was also hit in Game 2 by Josh Beckett, who argued that the batter didn't make any effort to get out of the way. ... Boston CF Jacoby Ellsbury robbed Abreu of at least a single with a diving catch for the second out of the third inning.

Angels Rally Off Papelbon in 9th to Sweep Red Sox originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 MLB Postseason Schedule

Pat Lackey — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: Angels, Cardinals, Dodgers, Phillies, Red Sox, Rockies, Twins, Yankees, AL Central, AL East, AL West, NL Central, NL East, NL West, MLB Playoffs, American League Division Series, National League Division Series

With two series over, Major League Baseball has updated the schedule for the rest of the Division Series.

The Rockies and Phillies will play their Game 4 at 4 PM ET if the Yankees-Twins series is still going on. Should the Yankees finish off a sweep Sunday night, the NL Game would move to 6 PM ET.

Series-by-series times are after the jump (all times Eastern).

Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees:

Game 1- Twins at Yankees, 10/7, 6:07 PM, TBS
Game 2- Twins at Yankees, 10/9, 6:07 PM, TBS
Game 3- Yankees at Twins, 10/11, 7:07 PM, TBS
Game 4- Yankees at Twins, 10/12, 7:37 PM, if necessary, TBS
Game 5- Twins at Yankees, 10/14, 8:07 PM, if necessary, TBS

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Game 1- Red Sox at Angels, 10/8, 9:37 PM, TBS
Game 2- Red Sox at Angels, 10/9, 9:37 PM, TBS
Game 3- Angels at Red Sox, 10/11, 12:07 PM, TBS

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Game 1- Cardinals at Dodgers, 10/7, 9:37 PM, TBS
Game 2- Cardinals at Dodgers, 10/8, 6:07 PM, TBS
Game 3- Dodgers at Cardinals, 10/10, 6:07 PM,TBS

Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Game 1- Rockies at Phillies, 10/7, 2:37 PM, TBS
Game 2- Rockies at Phillies, 10/8, 2:37 PM, TBS
Game 3- Phillies at Rockies, 10/11, 10:07 PM,TBS
Game 4- Phillies at Rockies, 10/12, 6:07 PM (7:37 PM if AL still going), TBS
Game 5- Rockies at Phillies, 10/13, 8:07 PM, if necessary TBS

AL Championship Series

Game 1-Angels at Yankees or Twins at Angels, 10/16, Fox
Game 2-Angels at Yankees or Twins at Angels, 10/17, Fox
Game 3-Yankees at Angels or Angels at Twins, 10/19, Fox
Game 4-Yankees at Angels or Angels at Twins, 10/20, Fox
Game 5-Yankees at Angels or Angels at Twins, 10/22, if necessary, Fox
Game 6-Angels at Yankees or Twins at Angels, 10/24, if necessary, Fox
Game 7-Angels at Yankees or Twins at Angels, 10/25, if necessary, Fox

NL Championship Series

Game 1-Rockies or Phillies at Dodgers, 10/15, TBS
Game 2-Rockies or Phillies at Dodgers, 10/16, TBS
Game 3-Dodgers at Rockies or Philliies, 10/18, TBS
Game 4-Dodgers at Rockies or Philliies, 10/19, TBS
Game 5-Dodgers at Rockies or Philliies, 10/21, if necessary, TBS
Game 6-Rockies or Phillies at Dodgers, 10/23, if necessary, TBS
Game 7-Rockies or Phillies at Dodgers, 10/24, if necessary, TBS

2009 MLB Postseason Schedule originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Get the Morphine: Joyner Thinks Closing Out Boston Will Be Challenge

Tom Krasovic — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:10:00 EST

Filed under: Angels, Red Sox, MLB Playoffs, American League Division Series

Forgive Wally Joyner if he's nervous as the Angels attempt to close out the Boston Red Sox on Sunday in Game 3 of the American League Division Series.

The last time the Angels were in this position against Boston -- ahead by two games entering Game 5 of the League Championship Series in 1986 -- the Red Sox dealt a blow so painful that ailing Angels fans and Joyner needed a hit of morphine.

Joyner was a rookie first baseman who'd batted .290 with 22 home runs and 100 RBI. Across the first three games of the 1986 ALCS, he'd gone 5-for-11 with two doubles and a home run.

But a staph infection put Joyner in a hospital for Games 4 and 5. Joyner expected to recover for the World Series. And it appeared his Angels teammates would get him there -- until Dave Henderson's home run in Game 5.

Joyner was in a private room at a hospital near Angels Stadium when Henderson's two-run blow put Boston ahead 6-5 with two outs in the ninth inning.

"When Dave Henderson hit that home run," Joyner said on Friday night after the Angels took a 2-0 lead in the series, "quite a few alarms went off with automatic morphine injections -- including mine."

The Red Sox went on to win Game 5, plus the final two games in Boston.

"My hope was that we were going to win," Joyner said.

Joyner finally did get to the World Series in 1998, with the Padres, who were swept by the Yankees. The Angels got there for the first time in 2002, and won it in seven games against the Giants.

Get the Morphine: Joyner Thinks Closing Out Boston Will Be Challenge originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Playoff Pulse: And on the Fourth Day, They Started?

Andrew Johnson — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Cardinals, Red Sox, Twins, Yankees, MLB Playoffs, American League Division Series, National League Division Series, Playoff Pulse

Playoff Pulse is our morning rundown of the night that was and the night that will be during the MLB postseason.

Looking Forward ...

Is it the desperation of potential elimination that makes teams more willing to push the envelope? Or more willingness to push ace pitchers? Or an extremely good batch of No. 1 starters and a weak bunch of No. 4s?

Whatever it is, two clubs in 0-2 Division Series holes appear ready to bring back their Game 1 starters on short rest in Game 4, should they get to that point. The Red Sox acknowledged as much before their Game 2 loss to the Angels.

"[Lester] threw 100 pitches [in Game 1]. I think we'd like to bring him back [in Game 4]. I'm getting ahead of myself, but then we'd want [Josh] Beckett to pitch Game 5. That's what we're hoping to do. But, try to get through tonight, make sure Lester's OK," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, legendary to baseball scribes nationwide for his terseness, was less forthcoming about his plans, but did hint that he would do the same with Chris Carpenter.

"We're spending a lot of time thinking about what we do to get to Game 4," La Russa said. "That is definitely the priority. ... Chris is one of the guys that's a possibility."

Carpenter and Lester are two of the best pitchers in baseball, so Francona and La Russa obviously want to maximize the number of starts they can get from them in a series, particularly with such a strong No. 2 behind each in Adam Wainwright and Josh Beckett, respectively, ready to follow them in a decisive fifth game.

Neither manager has particularly appetizing options among their rested hurlers either. Francona would go to Daisuke Matsuzaka if he didn't hand Lester the ball, while La Russa would go to Kyle Lohse or John Smoltz. Unless Smoltz hopped into a rejuvenator machine, we wouldn't trust any of that trio in a do-or-die game either.

In Their Own Words
"To me, Albert is in a class by himself. ... It may cost me [Saturday]. I don't know a three-run homer instead of a two-run homer. But I'm still going to make someone else beat me." -- Dodgers manager Joe Torre on his team's approach to Albert Pujols.
By the Numbers
July 4, 2007 The date of the last Twins victory in the Bronx. Johan Santana beat Mike Mussina that day. They've lost 10 straight in New York since. *-- Ed Price*
More From FanHouse
Price: Two Bronx Stars Born Krasovic: Halos on Brink Piliere: Scouting Notes

Looking Back ...

If TBS knows funny, then the Twins know drama. They've been involved in two of the three best games this week, with the other being Game 2 of the Dodgers-Cardinals NLDS.

Minnesota is now on the brink of elimination, and based on our extremely small sample size, that might be a bad thing for postseason intrigue.

Then again, a Yankees-Angels ALCS, which is what we appear headed for now, probably wouldn't be lacking for storylines. And if the Angels failed to finish the deal, a Yankees-Red Sox ALCS wouldn't be lacking either.

Scout's Eye View ...

The execution of the strategy to get ahead of the Yankees by pitching backwards and neutralizing their patient approach is what kept the Twins in Game 2. What lost the game was the inability to execute this strategy later on in the night. Looking back at Alex Rodriguez's ninth-inning at-bat against Joe Nathan, it's clear than the Twins closer had the right idea, but the inability to execute.

Nathan went with his secondary stuff three times in a row to start, missing first with a curveball then with two sliders. After getting back into the count with a 3-0 fastball for a strike, Nathan made a mistake over the heart of the plate with a fastball. Hitters of A-Rod's caliber don't miss those.

As poor of a mistake as this pitch was, it was the inability to throw his secondary pitches for strikes to begin the count that really came back to haunt him. When Rodriguez isn't forced to honor the breaking ball and can stay on his back leg on the pitch away, that's when you see those long home runs to center and right-center field, just like we saw on Friday.

-- Frankie Piliere (Full Scouting Notebook)

Saturday's Tale of the Tape ...

Dodgers (Vicente Padilla) at Cardinals (Joel Pineiro), 6:07 PM ET: Padilla definitely loves being a Dodger; his 3.20 ERA in eight appearances was his best in any setting since 2000. He's also 3-0 on the road as a Dodger. It's a pretty small sample with the current Cardinals, so there's no good read (only Mark DeRosa, of the starters, has faced him more than 10 times). Pineiro is considerably better at home (2.87 ERA compared to 4.07 on the road) and handcuffed the Dodgers in St. Louis earlier this year (eight innings, six hits, one earned run, seven strikeouts, one walk). Beware, however, of Manny Ramirez. In 38 career plate appearances against Pineiro, Manny has 14 hits (.424), four home runs, eight RBI, three walks (.500 OBP) and a 1.288 OPS.

Phillies (Pedro Martinez) at Rockies (Jason Hammel), 9:37 PM ET: In Pedro's last two outings, he was pretty bad (7.71 ERA in seven innings), his ERA was almost four runs higher on the road this year and his career numbers in Coors Field aren't good. On the flip side, no Rockies regulars have faced him more than four times, and that generally favors the pitcher (though both Garrett Atkins and Brad Hawpe have homered off before). Hammel is a much better road pitcher, as his home ERA is a daunting 5.73 in 2009. The Phillies haven't had any trouble getting baserunners on him, either. In 9 1/3 innings against the defending champs this year, Hammel coughed up 14 hits and two walks (a 1.71 WHIP). A possible X-factor? Matt Stairs is 5-for-8 with a double and two bombs off of Hammel. It's definitely going to be interesting in Denver. The matchups favor the hitters of both teams in a big way, but the weather may cancel it out.

-- Matt Snyder

Playoff Pulse: And on the Fourth Day, They Started? originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On the Brink, Toughest Test Awaits Halos

Tom Krasovic — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 03:38:00 EST

Filed under: Angels, Red Sox, MLB Playoffs, American League Division Series

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- It's too soon, America.

Too soon to thank baseball's Angels from the City of Angels. Too soon to assume they can answer our prayers.

The Red Sox are down but not out, which means we still might have Yankees-Red Sox and the bloated East Coast ego and hype that comes with it.

"We're not dead," Boston's Dustin Pedroia reminded everyone Friday night after the Angels faxed in another victory at Anaheim Stadium, 4-1, to go ahead 2-0 in the best-of-five American League Division Series.

Game 2: Angels 4, Red Sox 1 | Box Score | Series Page

Starting Sunday in Fenway Park, we'll find out if the Angels can close out baseball's most dangerous franchise when backed into a corner.

If the immediate past is prologue, then New Englanders are headed to a bitter winter. Runs in Orange County were as scarce as snowflakes for them. The Sox scored once in 18 innings. They batted .131.

This Sox club, though, might be no more vulnerable than other hard-pressed Sox teams of recent Octobers. Boston in 2004 and 2007 reeled of four and three playoff victories in do-or-die-games to vanquish the Yankees and Indians, respectively.

Kevin Youkilis is one of those holdovers.

"We've battled back and come further and won World Series," the third-baseman said. "Hopefully we can do it again."

Here's why the Angels are up 2-0 in a playoffs series for only the second time:

o. Starters John Lackey and Jered Weaver each got 22 outs and, in a minor upset, outpitched their more heralded Sox counterparts, Jon Lester and Josh Beckett. The Angels led 4-1 when Weaver checked out in the eighth Friday night.

o. The Angels are outhitting the Sox, whose .185 on-base percentage is well off L.A.'s .318 mark. That's not an upset. The Angels have a deeper, more selective lineup than they did in 2007 and 2008, when they were ousted in the first round by Boston, 6-1 in total.

o. The Angels, as expected, are stealing bases to set up runs. After Vladimir Guerrero walked to lead off the seventh with the score knotted at 1-1 on Friday, Howie Kendrick replaced him and stole second base, allowing him to score on a two-out single by Maicer Izturis. Izturis then stole second, applying more heat to Beckett, who would allow a two-run triple to Erick Aybar.

Friday's hitting stars were Izturis, who whacked a curveball past second baseman Pedroia to illuminate the .311 batting average he posted this year with men in scoring position and two out; Aybar, the No. 9 hitter, who hit a key double in Game 1 and Friday hit a 96-mph pitch from Beckett beyond center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury; and Vladimir Guerrero, whose hit-and-run single in the fourth set up a tying run.

The Angels are playing at a high level.

"I feel good about our club because we're playing better baseball than I think a lot of people have seen from us in the playoffs before," said manager Mike Scioscia. "Last year, we showed glimpses of it.

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Red Sox-Angels Photos

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 09: Pitcher Jonathan Papelbon #58 of the Boston Red Sox watches the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrate their 4-1 win of Game Two during the ALDS in the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Angel Stadium on October 9, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jonathan Papelbon

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Red Sox vs. Angels

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 09: Mike Lowell #25 of the Boston Red Sox watches the game from the dugout during the ALDS in the 2009 MLB Playoffs against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on October 9, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike Lowell

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ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 09: Manager Terry Francona of the Boston Red Sox smiles in the dugout in Game Two of the ALDS during the MLB playoffs against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on October 9, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Terry Francona

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ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 09: Jacoby Ellsbury #46 of the Boston Red Sox is safe at first base over Kendry Morales #19 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the eighth inning of Game Two of the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Angel Stadium on October 9, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jacoby Ellsbury;Kendry Morales

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ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 09: Starting pitcher Josh Beckett #10 of the Boston Red Sox and pitching coach John Farrell #52 walk on to the field to take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Game Two of the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Angel Stadium on October 9, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Josh Beckett;John Farrell

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Los Angeles Angels' Erick Aybar greets Howie Kendrick after scoring on Maicer Izturis single during the seventh inning of Game 2 of the American League division baseball series in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Oct. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Los Angeles Angels' Mike Napoli high fives with Bobby Abreu during the Angels' 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of the American League division baseball series Friday, Oct. 9, 2009 in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Los Angeles Angels' Erick Aybar watches his triple against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning of Game 2 of the American League division baseball series in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Oct. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 09: Bobby Abreu #53 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim scores on a sacrifice fly hit by Kendry Morales #19 in the fourth inning of Game Two of the ALDS during the MLB playoffs against the Boston Red Sox at Angel Stadium on October 9, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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"I feel good for these guys because it's a terrific bunch of guys that plays the game very, very hard. It's good to see them go out and get rewarded with a couple of wins, and on a national stage."

The Red Sox aren't hitting, which puts minor decisions under a thicker magnifying lens.

Such as David Ortiz swinging at four first pitches in the two games and not getting a hit off any them.

Such as Mike Lowell hacking early in the count nearly every time -- he's 0-for-7 and has seen only 15 pitches.

Such as Beckett charging into the seventh with only 75 pitches on the meter but starting Guerrero with three curveballs, all of them balls, although his bat hasn't been fast in the two games. The errant hooks led to a key walk.

"Vladdy, my approach hasn't changed much in the last six or seven years," Beckett said. "I'm defintiely not trying to leave the breaking ball up."

"We've battled back and come further and won World Series. Hopefully we can do it again."
-- Kevin Youkilis Not a lot of analysis is needed, though, to explain why the Red Sox have one more loss in this series than in their previous 10 playoff games against the Angels.

"We just aren't creating many chances," said No. 6 hitter Jason Bay, who is 1-for-5 with two walks.

"Good pitching stops a good offense," said the No. 5 hitter Ortiz, who is 0-for-8 with four strikeouts.

"We faced two very good pitchers, and we haven't hit for two games, which gets magnified because it's the playoffs," said Pedroia, who is 1-for-8 out of the lineup's two-hole.

Boston's biggest hit belongs to leadoff man Jacob Ellsbury. The first Sox player to put a first pitch into play against Weaver, he was rewarded with a leadoff triple in the fourth. Victor Martinez knocked him home with a one-out single.

The Angels said all the right things after moving within one victory of the League Championship Series.

"We know that we're going to continue playing aggressive, just like we've been playing so far," said Izturis.

The only other time the Angels opened a playoff series with two victories, the Brewers responded with three consecutive wins to capture the 1982 ALCS and add to manager Gene Mauch's painful legacy of playoff heartbreak.

But a more wrenching episode came in 1986, opposite the Red Sox, who, after losing three of four games, won three in a row to reach the World Series.

Wally Joyner played for the Angels in 1986. He admitted after Saturday night's win that his heart is still with the Californians.

"I am rooting for the Angels," Joyner said by phone from Utah, shortly after Brian Fuentes locked up the win by retiring Lowell, who represented the potential tying run. "I still have friends in the organization -- Mike Scioscia and some of his coaches." The hardest part might yet await, though.

"It is such a tough thing to get that last out," Joyner said. "I was part of that '86 team that couldn't get [it]."

On the Brink, Toughest Test Awaits Halos originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sat, 10 Oct 2009 03:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hunter Not Sore at Sox After Hit by Pitch

Tom Krasovic — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:45:00 EST

Filed under: Angels, Red Sox, MLB Playoffs, American League Division Series

ANAHEIM -- Torii Hunter said he inferred no ill intent from the Red Sox for hitting him in the left arm Thursday night, one at-bat after he pounded a three-run home run and flipped his bat. So, unless Hunter is a great fibber, don't expect the Angels to retaliate Friday in Game 2 of the best-of-five series.

"I don't think [Ramon] Ramirez hit me intentionally," Hunter said. "That's why I didn't react."

After he was hit, Hunter bent over to remove his shin guard and Red Sox catcher Victor Martinez rushed to him. "Victor said [Ramirez] didn't do it on purpose," Hunter said. "I said, 'I know.' I'm pretty sure it wasn't intentional. If he hit me on purpose, that is stupid, because you don't want to put men on base."

The plunking contributed to a seventh-inning surge that added two runs, raising Boston's deficit to 5-0.

Hunter Not Sore at Sox After Hit by Pitch originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Playoff Pulse: Ugly Umpiring Looms

Andrew Johnson — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Angels, Cardinals, Dodgers, Red Sox, MLB Playoffs, MLB Umpires, American League Division Series, National League Division Series, Playoff Pulse

Playoff Pulse is our morning rundown of the night that was and the night that will be during the MLB postseason.

Looking Forward ...

Major League Baseball is fortunate the Angels' Game 1 win over the Red Sox was never in doubt after Torii Hunter's gargantuan fifth-inning blast. Hunter's home run and John Lackey's stellar pitching made it a moot point, but the umpiring was beyond brutal.

MLB Playoffs: Manny Isn't Being Manny | Hunter Smashes Sox
Rockies Top Phils, Even Series | SI.com: Yanks' Fake Controversy

First base umpire C.B. Bucknor was at the center of the storm, blowing two calls -- one in the fourth inning and one in the sixth -- that replays showed were clear outs for the Red Sox. The Angels also took exception to one of Bucknor's calls in the fifth, and while it's easy to make a target of an umpire who has been voted the worst in the league by the players on multiple occasions, the entire crew was poor on Thursday night.

Crew chief and home plate umpire Joe West called interference on catcher Jeff Mathis in the third inning. It was difficult to see where he interfered on replays. Boston reliever Takashi Saito limited the damage in a potentially disastrous seventh inning with 5-2-5 double play, only the video on that play showed third base umpire Greg Gibson incorrectly ruled that Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell made the tag on the back end of that two-fer.

Shoddy umpiring is becoming more and more of an issue, particularly in the postseason where blown calls are magnified. Last year's World Series, for example, had its share of questionable calls by the men in blue. Those questionable calls open MLB up to criticism and second-guessing. How does an umpire with Bucknor's reputation end up on a playoff crew anyway? Why isn't instant replay expanded, at least in the postseason, beyond boundary calls?

Baseball isn't the NBA, where the Tim Donaghy scandal was a mere backdrop for near-constant complaining about officiating quality and deafeningly whispered conspiracy theories. But after watching Game 1, it doesn't seem that far off.

Bucknor's gaffes won't be replayed ad nauseum Friday morning, but only because they didn't affect the outcome. You get the feeling we won't make it through the postseason without a blown call that is.

In Their Own Words
"Probably Del Taco. They don't support MLB, do they? They just support the Angels? Yeah, it was Del Taco." -- Red Sox manager Terry Francona on what caused him to miss the pregame ceremonies. Francona was left queasy, but managed the game.
By the Numbers
13 Career postseason hits by Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba. He is one hit shy of the Colorado franchise record, currently held by Kazuo Matsui. *-- Ed Price*
More From FanHouse
Fletcher: Hollywood Ending Krasovic: Halos Go 'Nuts' Price: Rockies Resilient Piliere: Scouting Notes

Looking Back ...

Buried in the celebration of the Dodgers' thrilling bottom-of-the-ninth victory was an unorthodox move by manager Joe Torre that ended up paying off.

Torre, who has established that he is going to go with a do-or-die mentality with his pitching staff, brought in closer Jonathan Broxton in the eighth inning of a game the Dodgers were losing, 2-1. You just don't see that. Ever.

The reason was that Cardinals had the heart of the order -- Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday and Ryan Ludwick, all right-handed hitters -- coming up. In order to keep the game at a one-run deficit, Torre went with his best right-handed reliever, regardless of the the fact that "closers" are only supposed to pitch in the ninth inning with a lead.

Bill James would be proud.

-- Jeff Fletcher

Scout's Eye View ...

Essentially, there seems to be a hole in Manny Ramirez's offensive game that wasn't there before, and the Cardinals appear to be pitching to it over and over again. What consistently made Manny one of the most potent hitters over the last decade was his ability to cover and punish the good fastball inside, and also his ability to stay back long enough to drive the pitch away.

He no longer appears to have the incredible bat speed to pull that off. He now needs to sit on or cheat on the fastball inside and open up his front side earlier. By doing so, he is unable to stay on his back leg long enough to drive the outside pitch with any authority. More specifically, by opening up a little earlier to hit the fastball inside, he leaves only his arms and hands to hit off-speed pitches on the outer part of the zone.

-- Frankie Piliere (Full Scouting Notebook)

Friday's Tale of the Tape ...

Twins (Nick Blackburn) at Yankees (A.J. Burnett), 6:07 PM ET: Blackburn finished really strong (2-0, 1.65 ERA with 18 strikeouts to one walk in his last four starts). He faced the Yankees in the Bronx once this year, working 7 2/3 innings and allowing six hits and four earned runs. Mark Teixeira absolutely owns him (6-for-6 with a walk, double, home run and five RBI). Burnett also finished with four solid starts (2-0, 1.88 ERA, 28 strikeouts) and is a much better pitcher at home. In two outings against the Twins this year, he allowed a whopping 23 baserunners in 13 innings, but only four of them crossed the plate (2.77 ERA, but a horrible 1.77 WHIP). Current Twins hitters have a collective .648 OPS against Burnett in their career, but Joe Mauer has had good success.

Red Sox (Josh Beckett) at Angels (Jered Weaver), 6:07 PM ET: Beckett has been measurably worse on the road this season and Angel Stadium was no exception -- he made one start there, and allowed eight hits and four runs in six innings, taking the loss. Howie Kendrick, Chone Figgins, Torii Hunter and Maicer Izturis hit him well, but Bobby Abreu (.708 OPS), Vladimir Guerrero (.242 AVG) and Juan Rivera (.311 OPS) do not. Weaver is nearly two runs better at home (2.90 home ERA to 4.78 on the road) and he owned the Red Sox in 2009, working 13 2/3 innings and allowing just one earned run (0.66). Over the course of his career, though, David Ortiz (1.117 OPS), Kevin Youkilis (.964), J.D. Drew (.918) and Victor Martinez (.958) have hit him very well.

-- Matt Snyder

Playoff Pulse: Ugly Umpiring Looms originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hunter Goes 'Nuts' as Angels Take First Step Toward Ending Boston Hex

Tom Krasovic — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:46:00 EST

Filed under: Angels, Red Sox, MLB Playoffs, American League Division Series

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- What did Torii Hunter mean when he said last month the Angels needed to "show nuts" against the Red Sox?

He gave a glimpse on Thursday night, socking a fastball from Jon Lester onto a rock pile 430 feet away for three runs in the fifth inning, and propelling the Angels, finally out from under Boston's thumb, to a 5-0 victory in Game 1 of the best-of-five American League Division Series.

"That's what I'm talking about," Hunter screamed as he ran toward first base.

"Do what you do," he hollered as he ran to the dugout.

Game 1: Angels 5, Red Sox 0 | Box Score | Series Home

There, the former high school quarterback spiked his helmet as the crowd banged red sticks at Anaheim Stadium.

"The adrenaline was unbelievable," Hunter said. "I wish you guys could taste and feel some of that."

"Trust me, it's not like we enjoy facing them. They're no fun to play"
-- Boston GM Theo Epstein on his team's playoff success against the Angels Three weeks ago, pained by a tough defeat at Fenway Park, Hunter publicly questioned the Angels' ability to cope with the mighty Sox.

"To win," he said on Sept. 17, "we've got to show nuts."

Boston had won nine of 10 playoff games between the clubs dating to 2004. The Angels answered behind Hunter's fourth career playoff home run and 7 1/3 scoreless innings from John Lackey.

Hunter, who joined the Angels two years ago, said "nuts" is "street" for "guts" and that his verbal challenge pleased his teammates.

"Everybody said, 'Yeah, you're right,' " said the center fielder, best known for his eight Gold Gloves. "I had a lot of people tell me that was the right thing to say. That usually doesn't happen over here, I heard."

Lackey is one Angels player who no one will confuse with a California wimp. He's the hombre from Texas who pitched the Angels to their only World Series title in 2002, when he beat the Giants in Game 7. He'd gone winless in the postseason since that night, often because the Angels gave him little or no help.

Thursday, he led the Angels to the first postseason shutout in franchise history.

"Lackey threw the hell out of the ball," said Lester, who out-pitched Lackey in Anaheim in Game 1 of last year's Division Series.

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Red Sox-Angels Photos

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 08: Manager Mike Scioscia speaks with Torii Hunter #48 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as the jersey of the late-Nick Adenhart #34 hangs in the background during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game One of the ALDS at Angel Stadium on October 8, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike Scioscia;Torii Hunter

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Red Sox vs. Angels

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 08: Pitcher Ramon Ramirez #56 of the Boston Red Sox sits in the dugout after loading up the bases in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Game One of the ALDS at Angel Stadium on October 8, 2009 in Anaheim, California. The Angels won 5-0. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ramon Ramirez

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Los Angeles Angels' Torii Hunter is greeted by Juan Rivera after his three-run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the fifth inning in Game 1 of the American League division baseball series Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009 in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Los Angeles Angels' Torii Hunter reacts after hitting a three run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the fifth inning in Game 1 of the American League division baseball series Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009 in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 08: Pitcher Darren Oliver #38 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches against the Boston Red Sox at Angel Stadium on October 8, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Darren Oliver

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ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 08: Torii Hunter #48 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts to hitting a three-run home run as catcher Victor Martinez #41 of the Boston Red Sox look on in the fifth inning of Game One of the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Angel Stadium on October 8, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Torii Hunter;Victor Martinez

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ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 08: Kevin Youkilis #20 of the Boston Red Sox reacts at first base after Howie Kendrick #47 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is called safe in sixth inning of Game One of the ALDS at Angel Stadium on October 8, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 08: Torii Hunter #48 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrates with teammates Juan Rivera #20 and Bobby Abreu #53 after their 5-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox in Game One of the ALDS at Angel Stadium on October 8, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bobby Abreu;Torii Hunter;Juan Rivera

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Jason Bay was the only leadoff man to reach against Lackey, and he was rubbed out on Mike Lowell's double play in the fifth. Sox cleanup man Kevin Youkilis said he doesn't rate Lackey "the most difficult guy" to hit against, but he was good enough in Game 1.

Lackey's pitching coach from 2002, Padres manager Bud Black, watched from San Diego. "John's still the same guy he was in 2002 -- more of a power style," Black said. "He's evolved. He's become a better pitcher."

FanHouse sought out Red Sox GM Theo Epstein before the game to ask if the Sox were tired of picking on the Angels in October. Epstein chuckled.

"Trust me," he said, "it's not like we enjoy facing them. They're no fun to play."

The Angels had lost Games 1 and 2 of their previous three playoff series against Boston, starting in 2004. These Angels, though, have borrowed from the Boston playbook. They've become more discriminating in the batter's box. Bobby Abreu, who joined the Angels last offseason, is a patient, well-rounded player comparable to Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew. Abreu drew four walks on Saturday night. After the third of those walks, Lester teed up an 0-1 fastball for Hunter, who blasted it for the 3-0 lead.

This Angels offense is an AL East offense -- deep. Youngsters such as Erick Aybar and Howie Kendrick are savvier hitters than they were last October, when Boston ousted the Angels in four games. Leading off the fifth, Aybar pulled a double, only the second hit against Lester. Chone Figgins bunted him to third, bringing up Abreu.

Doing to the Sox what they've done to so many others, Abreu worked the count. He became the first player since David Ortiz in 2007 to draw four walks in a postseason game.

"I threw a lot of good pitches to Bobby," Lester said. "He's just a really good hitter."

Abreu, trying to steal second base, got a good jump on Lester's 0-1 pitch to Hunter. Didn't matter, because Lester's pitch went down the middle. "I was trying to get a double play," Lester said.

Unlike last year, when they coasted after mid-July, the Angels this year had to scrap for most of the summer. Hunter, for one, said the adversity of playing tight games at Fenway Park last month was good for the Angels.

Nutty, too.

"In Boston, three weeks ago, I was pissed," he said. "I was upset and I'm pretty sure everybody was upset."

Hunter said he was unable to sleep on Thursday night and had so much adrenaline leading up to first pitch that he had a "little headache that felt good."

When Hunter nailed Lester's 79th pitch, he added to the queasy feeling that Red Sox manager Terry Francona had been feeling, caused by the Mexican food that had disagreed with him.

"Probably Del Taco," he said. "They don't support MLB, do they? They just support the Angels? Yeah, it was Del Taco."

Maybe the Angels should have the Mexican food chain cater the visiting clubhouse. They hadn't won a playoff game in Anaheim since a victory over the Yankees in 2005.

Hunter's seven previous trips to the playoffs all left him short of the World Series. He said the prospect of facing Josh Beckett on Friday would bring him back into focus quickly. "It's a big home run, but it's the first game," he said. "Anything can happen. I don't want to be here four days from now saying I don't know what happened."

Hunter Goes 'Nuts' as Angels Take First Step Toward Ending Boston Hex originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rocco Baldelli Left Off ALDS Roster

Matt Snyder — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Red Sox, AL East, MLB Playoffs, American League Division Series

Due to concerns that he won't be healed from a hip flexor injury in time, the Red Sox have opted not to include outfielder Rocco Baldelli in their ALDS roster. Baldelli's not a regular starter, but he would have provided depth off the bench against the Angels. Instead, the Red Sox don't believe he'll be healthy in time to contribute.

Without Baldelli, the Red Sox enter the postseason with Brian Anderson and Joey Gathright as their backup outfielders behind Jacoby Ellsbury, J.D. Drew and Jason Bay. Baldelli, who hit .253 with seven home runs and 23 RBI in 150 at-bats this season, is a more capable hitter than Anderson or Gathright, though both Anderson and Gathright provide better speed and defense.

Rocco Baldelli Left Off ALDS Roster originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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