File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Your thoughts on Joe Maddon starting Kazmir instead of Shields on Thursday...
>> Kilgamayan !2BklmILFiE
Makes sense to me. Shields vs. Matsuzaka worked for Boston in Tampa, and I'm willing to bet it works for Boston again in Boston. Given that, I don't think you can risk putting Kazmir out there for a potential Game 6 after his Game 2 performance - the last thing you need is the Red Sox going into a Lester vs. Garza Sudden Death game with momentum on their side.

Throw Kazmir to the wolves for Game 5, and if he loses, Shields can come out in Game 6 and crush Beckett.
>> Anonymous
Punting a game when you're up 3-1 has never been a good strategy.

That said, Beckett will blow Game 6 (lolhurt) regardless. The Rays bats are retarded right now. Jose Conseco could pitch the first 3 innings and get at worst a No Decision.
>> Billy the Blue Ranger !5lGrhM17rM
It doesn't matter, Rays will score 8 in the first 3 innings
>> Anonymous
Kazmir always lights up Fenway, even when he loses. He'll go 6 2/3 or so, and give up two runs. That's all the Rays will need.

Hell, if Kazmir can just go five, their bullpen is rested enough to take over from there. 1 inning each from Howell, Bradford, Wheeler, and Balfour and the Rays will take the pennant.
>> Anonymous
>The St. Petersburg Times speculates that the move was made so that Kazmir could avoid pitching with Derryl Cousins behind the plate after he called the umpire's strike zone "ridiculous" and "unbelievable" following a June ejection.

/thread
>> Anonymous
Doesn't matter. Matsuzaka will keep them scoreless for the start of the game and Papelbon will finish it that way.
>> Anonymous
>>406945
lol
>> Anonymous
>>406950

Um, did you watch the same game 1 as I did?
>> Anonymous
>>406973

tis a fluke, wont happen again
>> Anonymous
>>406928
This + Kazmir has pitched well in Fenway, and Shields is shit in Fenway.
>> Anonymous
>>406995

fluke is not 18-3.
>> Anonymous
>>407020
Nor is it 18-1
>> Anonymous
>>407020
>fluke is not 18-1
>> Anonymous
Education time /sp/

who is the greatest high school pitcher of all time?

Who threw 4 consective no hitters, followed by a 1 hitter, followed by 2 more no hitters?

Kazmir.

Kazmir and Beckett are a freaky little sports stat tandem, and it's nothing short of poetic irony that they're both OBVIOUSLY injured right now.

Kazmir used to throw 94-97, with a slider that once made Joe Mauer fall down on a called 3rd strike.

Beckett used to throw 95-96 with a freeze frame hook.

Both pitchers are now dwindling at the 88-93 mph level, with no control on their breaking pitches, and little break.

Kazmir's career numbers at Fenway:
11 gs, 4-4 62 ip, 21 er, 33 bb, 69k 3.01 era.
>> Anonymous
I think Maddon will consider his chances with Kazmir that he has done well at Fenway and Shields is domination at the Trop.

Jumping on Dice-K early will obviously give Kazmir more time to work. Given if the Rays keep up the at bats.

I'm going to have to say that Matsuzaka will crack under the pressure that it could be the final game and the Rays will take full advantage of it.
>> Anonymous
>>407122
True baseball fan. I salute thee.
>> Anonymous
Kazmir's a bad pitcher now?