We don't believe in "virtual ties". Though the Sox, according to the standings, sit in first place (trailing only by those elusive "percentage points"), we know better: they aren't in first place. They have simply played more games than the Rays. That is, in and of itself, not really an accomplishment.
Tonight, however, our team can take back, legitimately, a true share of the AL East. Josh Beckett strides to the hill for the Sox and, in our humble opinion, really needs to begin asserting himself (assuming he's healthy). His year has been middling, his presence nothing like what it was last October. We want that Beckett back (and in time for the postseason), and tonight's game, with an opportunity to grab first place, should be enough motivation for our erstwhile ace (Lester's the man of the moment, frankly).
Chat away about the game here.
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Laser Show > Jason Bartlett
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Sounds like RS fans>Ray fans in Tampa tonight.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 07:25 PM
How to get Coco Crisp Out:
1) Throw breaking ball.
2) Repeat.
These 9=8 shirts are really pissing me off. Joe Maddon looks like a smart guy, why did he break math?
Posted by: Hit Dog | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 07:42 PM
9=8? I don't get it.
Posted by: rootbeerfloat | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 07:43 PM
9 players (playing as a team) can be one of the 8 playoff teams. It's horribly stupid.
And Bill, EVERY night is that way at the Trop ;-)
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 07:47 PM
Jason Bay is a daddy again.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Congrats to Jason. Now someone tell him to get on a plane to Tampa tomorrow because this is a far, far weaker OF without him, and hey, he's had one of these things before, knows the rest of it, blah blah...
(Even I'm not callous enough to continue this joke. But Ellsbury-Crisp-Kotsay is one Jason and one J.D. short of the far mightier outfield I'd hope we're fielding in the playoffs.)
Posted by: Hit Dog | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:09 PM
Lowell hurting pretty bad, but playing through it. Makes a fantastic play on a grounder.
Beckett at 45 pitches after 4.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:12 PM
Wow, Sox batters arguing with a lot of pitches this game--first Varitek, now Lowrie, though that strikeout pitch to Lowrie was a bit outside. Still shouldn't have taken it.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:14 PM
Sonnanstine is getting away with murder on some of these curveballs, which are rounding the plate. These Rays analysts are also killing me by saying he isn't rounding the plate while giving the camera angles to show it. I'm dying for a K zone. Or a solo homerun.
Posted by: Hit Dog | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Joe, Obie saying that Hawk Harrelson is very popular in Chicago.
Um, no, he's not. He's hated.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:16 PM
God damn Coco.
How are you listening to the Rays analysts, Hit Dog? I'm extremely grateful that MLB.tv started allowing us to choose between the Home or Away broadcasters.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:20 PM
The answer to a painfully obvious trivia question on Rays TV was Yaz. That's as easy as making the answer to a Rays-related question...
Um...
....Wade Boggs?
Never mind.
Posted by: Hit Dog | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:23 PM
Beckett robbed of a K, then loses the perfect game.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:23 PM
"These 9=8 shirts are really pissing me off."
It's a fine line between stupid and clever. - Nigel Tufnel
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Got MLB.tv, don't have the Premium subscription, Ath. Hey, it's not as bad as when they're playing in Chicago.
HAWK: Hit this one, Jermaine! C'mon, get it!
OTHER GUY WHOSE NAME DOESN'T DESERVE TO BE REMEMBERED: Hit it, Jermaine! And it's strike three, Sox lose.
Posted by: Hit Dog | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:26 PM
No kidding, those White Sox guys are absolutely horrible. In the 2nd inning when the Rays player made a great defensive play, Remy and DO actually got excited and cheered the great play.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:33 PM
Hit Dog, the obvious answer to any Rays-related question is Jose Canseco. You should know. He's your former teammate, after all... ;-)
Posted by: Paul SF | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:34 PM
Very true, Paul. I keep this shirt (http://deadspin.com/sports/mitchell-report/this-t+shirt-will-inject-you-with-something-335254.php) around to remember Jose and Roger. Miss those guys.
/sheds one tear, wipes it away with money made turning East New York projects into livable housing.
Posted by: Hit Dog | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Shit.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:20 PM
What a put-on. It hit his bat and he shuddered and boo-hooed. Next time near the ears.
Posted by: Hit Dog | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:23 PM
I'm getting a bad feeling.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:25 PM
I don't care what anyone says: Beckett is our Game 1 starter.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:29 PM
These two games against the Rays, neither of which he's too likely to win, have both been brilliant performances. I think Josh Beckett is back.
Posted by: Hit Dog | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:40 PM
I think you're right Hit Dog, Beckett didn't have ice on his shoulder in the dugout. He's only at 95 pitches; I say send him back out there.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:45 PM
Even if it doesn't work out, I approve of this use of Masterson in the abstract.
Posted by: stuck working | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:50 PM
Francona didn't quite have the nerve. I would have put him out there until the first baserunner went on. Now I'm currently chewing my hands like gum.
Posted by: Hit Dog | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:50 PM
Looks like we're wrong--Masterson out.
Pena trying to bunt the runner over... that's something you don't see every day.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Yeah, that's the ticket. Have your best hitter, the only reason this game is tied, a burly first baseman who probably hasn't bunted since college, try a bunt. That's the ticket, Maddon.
And now that pitch...never happened. Do you get the feeling this crew has it in for us, or are we just seeing some weird breaks today?
Posted by: Hit Dog | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Woah woah woah they're now saying that last strike doesn't count? Lame. The last thing Pena needs is more chances to hit.
2-1 count now instead of 1-2. BIG difference, especially for a rookie.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:53 PM
AND they squeezed him on that last pitch. (Close and probably not a strike, but until Rays TV springs for a K Zone, I have to assume it was.)
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Posted by: Hit Dog | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:55 PM
"THE RAYS HAVE 25 MVPS" signs in the stands. Huh. I guess Mitch Talbot has fans.
Posted by: Hit Dog | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 09:58 PM
It's official. I actually hate the faux-scrappiness of the Tampa Rays. I hate them, I hate them, and we're gonna get 'em if it's the last thing we do.
Posted by: Hit Dog | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Crap.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Yeah HD I really really hate them too. Mostly I hate the fact that the Devil was taken out. I'm not a fan of the Devil ... just an enemy of the Christian Right. What does religion have to do with this? Nothing but politics.
Posted by: Bkln-SF | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Well that ended poorly.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Well, I still think bringing in Masterson was a good idea, even though it didn't work out (for reasons that were not entirely Masterson's fault).
Posted by: stuck working | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Bkln, I think you're reading into things a little bit. The name change was mostly to coincide with the push for their new outdoor stadium, not about dropping "devil" because it's evil.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Oh I get that, but you know if the Rays win anything significant, some fanatic from red state radio will say they finally won because they dumped the devil.
Posted by: Bkln-SF | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:10 PM
But ya, I'm definitely reading into it! I guess I wanted a better reason to hate them than HD's well-put faux-scrappiness or the simple fact that they are ahead of us in the standings ... dang, I miss the devil we knew.
Posted by: Bkln-SF | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:13 PM
I forget: do we care anymore when the Yankees lose? I guess I'm rooting for them to finish in 4th, still.
Posted by: stuck working | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:14 PM
So? There are crazy extremists on all sides that always say (x) whenever (y) happens. People said the Rockies went on their improbable run to the playoffs last year because they're a religious team that prays before each game, but that doesn't mean it's worth acknowledging.
Disclaimer: I'm a moderate agnostic, not a member of the religious right.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Heh, true that Bkln. They're a great story and all, but god do I hate that they're in first place.
I've got my champagne ready for Yankees elimination day, stuck. Been waiting like 10 years for this!
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Heheh 'moderate' agnostic ... as opposed to an agnostic who is extremely sure of his lack of faith.
Posted by: Bkln-SF | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:23 PM
... or belief, of course. Anyway, I believe in an AL East Championship.
Posted by: Bkln-SF | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Hehehe that does sound funny looking back on it. I meant more along the lines of an agnostic who is moderate when it comes to politics: conservative on the economy (low taxes, free trade) and liberal on personal freedoms (pro euthanasia, pro choice, pro screw-what-you-want).
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:37 PM
"I've got my champagne ready for Yankees elimination day, stuck. Been waiting like 10 years for this!"
We need a countdown with the magic number until the Yankees are eliminated. Not to rub it in the YFs noses or anything.
Posted by: SoxFan | Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 11:14 PM
3 games and counting, SoxFan!
Posted by: Atheose | Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 08:20 AM
Which is also the Blue Jays elimination number.
Posted by: Ron Newman | Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 03:14 PM