Boston V. Tampa Bay Talk

[Sunstroke]

If I were a Phillies or Rays fan, I think I'd be getting reeeeeally tired of hearing all the media talking heads begging for a Dodgers-Red Sox series just so they can have a "Manny Returns" story line.

No disrespect to the AL East Moneystackers (Yankees-Red Sox), but if I don't see either of those "We have history on our side so kindly kiss our ass" franchises in the WS any time soon, it'll be just fine by me.

Go Rays!! Go Phillies!!
...and in general, Viva la Small Market!!

[MaineDolFan]

Go Rays!! Go Phillies!!
...and in general, Viva la Small Market!!

Philly is market #8 and 13th in payroll...ain't nothing "small market" about any of the teams left in the playoffs with the exception of the Rays.

[Sunstroke]

Philly is market #8 and 13th in payroll...ain't nothing "small market" about any of the teams left in the playoffs with the exception of the Rays.

You skipped over my "in general" disclaimer there in regards to the Viva la Small Market comment...so eager was your passion to rebut my slander against the evil AL East Moneystackers.

But I do appreciate you underlining my point... Of the 4 teams remaining, my two selections are the smallest market teams remaining in the playoffs for both the AL and NL. If there was a lower budget team than Philly in there, I'd be pulling for them instead.

[MaineDolFan]

I didn't have a passion to rebutt nuttin', honey.  Was just laying out the facts and nothing but the facts, ma'am.

Or sir, as it would be.

Go Sox???

[Sunstroke]

You already have two WS titles this decade, ya greedy bastard.

GO RAYS!!

[SportsChick]

Go Sox (and yes I'm a greedy bitch, I want more titles)

[StL FinFan]

^ is it bitch or bastard?  I'm confused. 

[simeon]

Hey Ray fans, first good luck to your team may be better team win.
Second you should check this about a 12 year old boy being kicked out of school for his Rayhawk hair cut.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/School-suspends-12-year-old-for-having-Rayhawk-f?urn=mlb,113776

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Dice K kicked ass last night.  Like I said.... the experience factor is going to be huge here.  The BoSox have been here before, the Rays haven't.  And that can trump any talent matchup. 

[MaineDolFan]

Every few years you hear about something that derails a team's championship dreams.  It usually has nothing to do with the team and, yet, almost always is the proverbial stake in the heart each time.

In 2001 the Pittsburgh Steelers booked their flights and hotel rooms for the Super Bowl week prior to the AFC Championship game.  They had been double digit favorites to beat New England.  We all know how that season ended.

In 2002 the San Fransisco Giants had their "2002 World Series Champion" banner for their stadium printed prior to game 2 of the World Series versus the Angels.

In 2003  - during the ALCS game seven against New York...Boston lead in the 6th inning by four runs.  The grounds crew started the process of painting the World Series MLB logo behind home plate at Fenway.  Four innings later Aaron Boone's home run sailed into the Bronx night sending the Yankees to the World Series.

2008 = in the week's leading to the Super Bowl, shoppers on nfl.com were able to purchase 19-0 New England Patriots t-shirts...before they went 19-0.

And now available on mlb.com...t-shirts printed of something that hasn't happened yet...

[MaineDolFan]

I couldn't help but thinking something last night as I watched the game.

Any of you have older brothers or maybe an uncle?  You'd play 21 with them and have them on the ropes, you're sitting pretty at 19.  You are all excited thinking that you're finally...FINALLY...going to beat that miserable SOB.  And then he smerks and, next thing you know, you've lost again.

It was almost like Boston played rope-a-dope with Tampa last night.  Load the bases with no out and shut 'em down.  Spot them runners on 1st and 3rd with no outs and shut 'em down.

Let them get to 19, smerk and then pull the rug out from under them.

I think that Tampa discovered a couple things last night.  First, you aren't in the regular season anymore.  Not quite as easy to be so laid back when there is so much on the line.  Second is that you aren't playing the Chicago White Sox anymore.  The guys in front of you are the defending World Champions - a team you beat 10 games to 8 in the regular season but of those 10 wins, 8 were by one run and 5 were come from behind. 

One game in a seven game series means almost nothing.  Christ - being up 3-1 doesn't mean a ton anymore.  That's why you play 7 games.  But I saw something in Tampa last night that I hadn't seen all season - and what I saw was "uh-oh.  This isn't yesterday anymore, is it?"

Beckett comes out and is Beckett tonight and you might see a little panic setting in.  I would in their shoes.  Matsuzaka just schooled us, Beckett mowed us down and now we get to go to Fenway to face Lester?  Yikes.  There is a lot for Tampa riding on tonight. 

They have gone all season with no pressure.  Last night Boston put 100% of the season's pressure right on the Rays young shoulders.  Lets see how they respond.

[Sunstroke]

Last night simply means that Boston has won one of the three games I predicted they'd win in this series...

For what it's worth though, NO ONE outside of Red Sox nation has been as steadfast in their endorsement of Dice-K since his arrival as I have. Even when he struggled, I kept saying "He's still getting his feel for the hitters and umpires in this league" and "his best games are yet to come." Well, they're here now... Everyone saw the ceiling for Matsuzaka last night, and it was painted up like the fukkin' Sistine Chapel.

Kazmir in game two...Go Rays!!

[EDGECRUSHER]

I don't know if they are cursing themselves as much as they are going to lose to a better playoff team.

Who was the dynasty? I hope they don't mean the 3rd place Yankees.

[Sunstroke]

Captain Hyperbole, please pick up a white courtesy phone...

That shirt is listed as part of the "AL East Division Winners" section of the TB catalog on MLB shop. Last time I checked, they actually DID win the AL East. Try being flattered that they called you a dynasty and try not hiring a contortionist to stretch for your bulletin board material.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Hmmmmmmmmmm.  If it does apply to them winning the division, then the shirt is accurate.