Game time: 8:05 pm

Scheduled Starters: Mike Mussina (13-5, 3.54) v. Curt Schilling (14-5, 3.83)

The game will be on ESPN.


Boston weather: 2:22 pm special observation at BOS: Wind out of the northwest at 13 mph, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 2,700 feet and 4,100 feet with cumulonimbus, broken clouds at 14,000 and 25,000 feet, temperature 83F, DP 70F


Forecast: There's a potential for showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. At 2pm, there was a line of moderate thunderstorms forming southwest of Boston, in CT, RI, and SE MA. The front is still out in central NY and Ontario, but showers associated with the front may be in eastern NE by later this afternoon.

After the fog and overcast from early this morning started to break, we've been getting heating from the sun, and that's going to create the instability that could trigger thunderstorms.



It should be dry most of the time, and the will get the game in, but it could be delayed, either at the start or during the game.

It will be in the upper 70's at game time, with winds out of the west to northwest at less than 15 mph.

That's blowing out toward right/across from right to left.

Anni

My opinions:

This team is not winning the Division
This team is not winning the Wild Card
We are headed for our biggest in-season collapse since 2001.

Facts:

My sorry arse is going to be in front of the TV at 8:00 tonight, and I'm going to be really tired at work tomorrow.
I'm going to be getting up early during the rest of the week to watch the condensed game highlights against the Angels.

At this point, I just want ONE effin' win, and I want that win to be tonight.

This series is sucking my will to live. The marathon games give it an '04 ALCS feeling (without the exciting wins at the end). I am actually dreading heading back to the ball park tonight.

If they get down again early, please feel free to shout out a "what the f**k is wrong with you guys!?" for me.




This series has become a blind date gone terribly awry, but she isn't picking up on the signs to end it early......

Well, the battery of Javier Lopez and Javier Lopez is now a possibility...

Jermaine Van Buren's stay was a short one. Van Buren down, Lopez up, and there's a lefty in the 'pen for tonight's game.

Lopez recalled


Lopez, who will wear No.48, will be in uniform for tonight’s game with the Yankees. This will be his third stint with the Red Sox since being acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox on June 15.

The lefthander is 2-1 with a 2.03 ERA and 15 saves in 35 total relief appearances with Triple-A Charlotte and Pawtucket. He has converted all 15 of his save opportunities and ranks eighth in the International League in saves. With the PawSox, Lopez has no record and a 6.35 ERA in nine games.

I thought all along one team would win 3 out of 5. I still think that will happen.
This team isn't as bad as it's look the last three games. They are a veteran team, I'm still optimistic.....as long as they win the next 2.

I love Schilling, I mean, I really, really do. But this stat was pointed out to me:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/4267/situational


Take a guess at what Schilling's ERA is after his 90th pitch? That's right 7.59, an obvious decline from previous pitches. Against a team that is very patient at the plate, Schilling is going to have to be very on point tonight. Obviously, efficiency is going to be key.

While Schilling concerns me, Mussina hasn't exactly been successful at Fenway, with an 1-3 record in 7 starts with an ERA of above 5. (edit: my bad, got that stat from the nny fans site) I'm going to have to hope that Arod makes another error because it really seems par for the course in Mussina pitched games

Edit: well I guess that is irrelevant, Arod won't be @ 3rd, Nick Green Will

Yeah his ERA is 7.59, but he doesn't walk any more guys than normal, his BAA is .238 and his WHIP is 1.03. I think that it is just a coincidence. But that's just me...

Wait...that can't be right. He has to have at least one win at Fenway. I recall a complete game he pitched at Fenway a few years back that was one Carl Everett two out ninth inning single from a perfect game.

Enjoy the game all, have fun. Think I am gonna go out for a bit if I can find any Yankee fans to grab a beer with!

He beat David Cone that night, 1-0. Sept 2001 I believe.

Heh, look at babey blue still lurking, isn't that precious

[codebox]NY Yankees Boston
---------- ------

Pos Player HR RBI AVG. Pos Player HR RBI AVG.
--- ------ -- --- ---- --- ------ -- --- ----
CF Damon, Johnny 20 67 .297 CF Crisp, Coco 6 26 .276
SS Jeter, Derek 10 75 .335 2B Loretta, Mark 4 50 .308
RF Abreu, Bobby 1 8 .392 DH Ortiz, David 43 116 .284
1B Giambi, Jason 34 96 .256 LF Ramirez, Manny 34 99 .327
DH Rodriguez, Alex 25 91 .288 1B Youkilis, Kevin 13 62 .292
2B Cano, Robinson 8 44 .330 3B Lowell, Mike 14 60 .286
C Posada, Jorge 15 63 .270 RF Pena, Wily Mo 9 35 .301
LF Cabrera, Melky 7 40 .291 C Mirabelli, Doug 6 19 .200
3B Green, Nick 1 3 .187 SS Cora, Alex 0 14 .285
P Mussina, Mike (13-5, 3.54) P Schilling, Curt (14-5, 3.83) [/codebox]


08/20 18:57:07 ET

Wow, Gonzo out for the 3rd straight game.

Was it Coney who pitched against him? I don't recall off the top of my head. I miss that guy - I think both of our staffs could use him - he's probably still better than Ponson, J. Johnson, or Snyder! Damn, strange to think of him as a Sox pitcher. That was a great game, though I was really annoyed that of all people it had to be one of my least favorite players breaking up a perfecto bid! So yeah, anyhow, Moose has to have at least one win in Fenway!

Why? Just why?

At some point you have to think that ego alone will kick the Sox into gear. I remember 2001 really well but I don't get that feeling with this team. Offerman, Lansing, Everett, and Bichette looked like quitters.

I know the past two days have been hell but this team is better than that. They may not be the World Champs or even better than the NY Assclowns but they have to stand up sometime. Right? Hopefully? Ah F@#k it. Just play better!

There's a line of strong thunderstorms about 40 miles west of Boston right now. If it doesn't lose energy out here, Boston could get some rain and thunder in about 45 minutes.

There is a line of storms heading towards Boston.

I give it about 60-90 minutes. Not a long lasting line, but rather potent in appears from local radar.

Without the daytime heating they should start to fizzle, but the convection looks pretty thick, so there's little chance of it diminishing to the point that a rain delay wouldn't be necessary at some point.

We got this tonight....we got this. Faith folks, have it

Let's go Schill, and beat the shit out of Pussina.

It is absolutely pouring out in Worcester. Huge lightning show, loud thunder, downpouring in sheets. It's ugly out.

I was a little reactionary last night. I will watch this game.

I'm still not holding out a great deal of hope for the playoffs, but I want a win tonight.

I want a win more than I've wanted one all year.

Joe Morgan seriously just gave me a headache before the first out. Seriously this sucks.

This one's inside, and he got it in, and it's inside. Really? Was it inside? Thanks, Joe.

EDIT: What Kettleer said

That (that being an extremely accurate K Zone) says its in the middle, but it tied him up, so it was inside.

glad to hear them tell us that Schill has thrown quite a few pitches already

I love how Morgan rips the Moneyball theory but has suddenly become infatuated w/ pitch count. Has he read any other books Billy Beane has written?

3 batters. 3 1st pitch strikes. Do you think Hansen, Lester, and Beckett are taking notes?

Anyone out there living between Worcestor and Boston...find out how long the rain lasts once it gets to you.

Whats the point of putting Coco back in the leadoff spot? Back and forth this series, its kinda silly

CocOut.

I'm 30 west, and it's been raining here for about 15 minutes.

The line will be in Boston at around 9 pm, but the heaviest rain looks like it will stay to the south of Fenway Park.

E8. But at least you are somewhere where they appreciate you.

Mussina is starting to get the dlowe face

I'm liking this start.

Aristedes. So good.

I just hope we don't end up in an hour rain delay and have to go to the 'pen.

There is no good reason to give Manny anything to hit. He's just a Yankee killing machine. With two outs I'd walk him with the bases loaded at this point!

damon must have had a few before the game

Spoke too soon. Two runs is a good start.

Damnit Mikey.

That was only 14 pitches?

Where is our DM? That certainly wasn't him...

Wow that was really a surprise from Lowell there with how well he has hit lately. Way to kill the inning that could have been huge.

Is there anything more frustrating than having a chance to get some breathing room only to have the next batter clank the first pitch he sees for a double play?

In a game like this, a runner at third with less than 2 outs HAS to score.

That won't be happening next year. Hinske's going to rake. Woohoo!

For a guy putting up monster numbers again Manny is having a quiet season. Dont know how many read the article on ESPN 2 about the MVP and how manny never seems to get the credit he deserves and how he should have won some MVP's by now. I dont remember Manny ever having a season this quiet and his numbers are great he's top 5 in like every offensive category. We really need a 5 hitter who can protect him.

G38 needs anothe 1-2-3 inning here. He cannot give up any runs.

That is a huge out. It could have been a bigger inning. I wish Hinske was in there regardless of his numbers against Mussina. Lowell just gave them 2 outs on one pitch.

Hopefully the Sox can trade Lowell in the offseason.

Anything they get from SD is a bonus. I just want to dump his salary and get Hinske fulltime PT vs. RHP.

Little rain starting and lightning in Waltham