ALCS Live Thread: Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox

10-12-07

[GraniteStateConservative]

Game 1 @ BOSTON:

WEATHER:: Forecasts for tonight predict that the rain will cease enough to get the game in, certainly. It should be cloudy, with temperatures dipping to the mid-50s.

Starting Pitchers

C. C. Sabathia (19-7, 3.21 ERA) vs. Josh Beckett (20-7, 3.27 ERA)

Game 1 LINEUPS

1. Grady Sizemore, CF
2. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B
3. Travis Hafner, DH
4. Victor Martinez, C
5. Ryan Garko, 1B
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
7. Kenny Lofton, LF
8. Franklin Gutierrez, RF
9. Casey Blake, 3B

1. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
2. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. Bobby Kielty, RF
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. Coco Crisp, CF
9. Julio Lugo, SS

NOTES: This is the first time since the start of the three division era that the two LCS series have each matched the two best records in their league (96-66). Computer baseball sim Imagine Sports/Diamond Mind Baseball ran the 2007 ALCS 1,000 times, and the Red Sox won 59% of the time. If the Red Sox won game 1, they won the series 72.5% of the time, and if Cleveland won, the Indians won 59% of the time.

[period end of story]

He just did in game four.

[mainepatsfan]

True and he wasn’t too shabby against the Yankees in the Tribe’s series clinching win.

[misterrob]

If you look at his stats you can see a few things. He’s had injuries that have cost him full or partial seasons. Taking HGH has extended his career. Since he got to Cleveland his stats are not the same as with the Halos and if the purchases are for 2002-2005 then he might be off the stuff. Still, the Tribe is paying $7 million a year to a guy who used HGH to extend his career and that’s dishonest. No different really than selling a used car after you turned back the odometer.

[misterrob]

This is low class on Millar’s part. He’s collecting a paycheck from another team. Wonder how the team is going to feel about that one?

The manager has indicated that there will be some changes in Baltimore. Wonder if Millar is one of the guys he’s talking about?

[misterrob]

Bud is good at kicking the can down the road and avoiding controversy. However, I don’t see how he can tell the Indians to do anything without process. He can’t suspend Byrd without the Union going apesh!t which is too bad.

I hope the Tribe does the right thing (and I think that Wedge is that kind of guy) and not pitch him.

[Semper911]

It is hard to believe this story has broken just before this upcoming game 7. I really feel for the Cleveland fans.

It should be noted, though, that there is a list of players who will be outed for steroid/HGH use, but the MLB is waiting until after the world series. Stay tuned -- this is going to be the story that overshadows everything in baseball all winter long.

[misterrob]

In looking at this further there might be more hype than anything here. MLB banned HGH in 2005 which coincides with Byrd’s last supposed purchase from the outfit that was busted providing banned substances.

In the case of Rick Ankiel when his name surfaced as having used HGH:

“MLB sources said that despite Ankiel’s apparent admission, they don’t believe they have grounds to punish him, unless they can establish that he used HGH after MLB banned it in 2005.”

Byrd may have been off the stuff the past few years so there could be no benefit to his performances in the postseason. His stats the past few years are nothing special.

[ssaftler]

This is low class on Millar’s part. He’s collecting a paycheck from another team. Wonder how the team is going to feel about that one?

Chill out! I don't think this is anything more than bring back a spark plug from previous victories as a paean to that team (and the fans). Still, if they were gonna bring back someone from that year, I'd prefer Derrick Lowe, and if they really wanted to keep it in the family, what about ol' number 19, Gabe Kapler?

[misterrob]

One thing the story on Fox and ESPN has not mentioned is when/if Byrd may have stopped taking the stuff before it was banned by MLB. If he quit two years ago then he’s in compliance with the rules. I don’t know why it comes out hours after the Game 6 win. Is someone wanting to make sure that Byrd doesn’t pitch? Someone trying to screw with the Tribe? Did this news just emerge or did someone sit on it?

We don’t know how/if this impacts the team since Byrd wasn’t supposed to start anyway. If Westbrook falls down then I guess they could have used him but they have other guys in the pen. If Byrd has to be the difference between your team going to the WS or not then you have issues given the .800 OPS against him this year.

[mylife]

Byrd? on roids? GTFO!

[misterrob]

He plays for the Orioles. The Sox fans go down to Camden Yards and take over the place when the Sox play there and that is a bone of contention for that team. Millar has never let go of his connection to the Sox and as an active player that’s wrong. Nothing wrong with having old friends on the team and wishing them well but showing up to throw out a first pitch is over the top. Sends a real strong message to his teammates in Baltimore that he bleeds Red instead of Orange.

[misterrob]

HGH and it was between 2002-January 2005.

[mylife]

Oh.
I see, the media are whipping up a controversy.

Fine. I hope the Tribe dominates

[misterrob]

The reporters are the guys who wrote the book on Bonds.

[misterrob]

Removed from the Tribe's website yesterday:

[mylife]

Come on!

So the fix is in?

[mylife]

GO TRIBE!

[Semper911]

That was on their website? That’s just sad. Reminds me of 2003 when the Red Sox painted world series decorations on the field at Fenway before game 7 at Yankee Stadium. Ask Tim Wakefield how that one turned out.

[misterrob]

Listen to this link from ESPN: Here

What a damned fraud. He goes to the Lord as a Christian and asks for help, takes HGH and even stocks up on it a week before it's banned. He's also been very vocal against steroid use in the game?????

Another Fauxly Roller

[big'ol_freeper]

Sox fans go down to Camden Yards and take over the place when the Sox play there and that is a bone of contention for that team

If by team you mean the organization, I don't think they care at all because they rake in the bucks when the Sox play at Crammed in Yards. The city loves it because they get all these tourists visiting the Inner Harbor. Its great for business.

If by team you mean the players, I think they are happy to be playing in front of 35-45,000 people instead of the normal crowd of 8-12,000 lifeless human beings that are otherwise called Oriole fans.

I would guarantee that the Sox had to have permission from the Dodgers to have Mueller throw out the first pitch yesterday and from the Orioles to have Millar throw out the first pitch tonight.