Battle of the Underachieving Aces

[EDGECRUSHER]

Beckett vs. Johnson

I expect Beckett to post a good start before Randy does, especially if Randy really is hurt which many believe.

Sheffield was placed on the 15 day DL and the Yankees called up Melky Cabrera who has been torching up the International League. Unfortunately for him, he gets to face Beckett, Schilling and Wakefield to start off his 2006 MLB season. Maybe even Papelbon too. You would think the Yankees don't like Melky.

Last year he was completely over his head. He was rushed up because the Yankees tried to catch lightning in a bottle for the 3rd time and he couldn't even catch routine flies. Now, he should be calmer, although I'd be lying if I said I expect him to do better than 2 for 12 with 5 K's.

P.S. If Tanyon Sturtze is in this game Larry Lucchino has pictures of Joe Torre with a goat.

[EDGECRUSHER]

They're doing it now.

STOP SWINGING AT THE FIRST GODDAMN PITCH!!! In 2003 Beckett was on 3 days rest and pitched a CG shutout on about 85 pitches. That's essentially impossible unless the hitters are stupid.

So, after a lengthy first inning in which Beckett worked a lot but really only made on bad pitch, they start off the 2nd inning by swinging at the first pitch in ecah at bat. I don't think Beckett threw 8 pitches that inning. That's just stupid. I know the guy usually throws strikes but to become swing happy when it's not your style is not how to succeed.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Randy Johnson is either hurt or his career suddenly just died. In his first 3 starts he didn't walk anybody. His last 4 starts inlcuding tonight he walked 13. Just go on the DL or retire. The international symbol for "Stop pitching" is walking Alex Gonzalez.

Oh, and A-Rod sucks too.

EDIT: That symbol is now "Giving up a 3 run HR to Alex Gonzalez".

[EDGECRUSHER]

Melky went 2-3 with an RBI. I only saw his first at bat because I have a policy of not watching Yankee games when their pitchers expose their vaginas on the mound, but unless he got 2 hits and an RBI off of some glorified AA baller, it was a positive start.

That play in the outfield though was ridiculous and I don't blame him. The wind was ridiculous, Damon and Cano called for it and Melky got it about 10 feet away. It was worse than Wrigley.

Either way, game over and time for Mussina to stop the bleeding and salvage at least one win in this series because I don't trust Shawn "Why throw strikes? It's easier for them to hit the ball then" Chacon against a patient team like Boston.

[MaineDolFan]

Johnson is hurt.  I'm a pitcher, I can see it in his mechanics.  He's not opening up his shoulder.  Case in point on two of the pitches that flew to the back stop.  They were 93 and 92 mph, he was really trying to get something into them.  His shoulder didn't open and he couldn't control where they went.  There is something physically not right with him.

[Denver_Bronco]

Johnson is hurt.  I'm a pitcher, I can see it in his mechanics.  He's not opening up his shoulder.  Case in point on two of the pitches that flew to the back stop.  They were 93 and 92 mph, he was really trying to get something into them.  His shoulder didn't open and he couldn't control where they went.  There is something physically not right with him.

I agree. I am all for guys not sitting out when they have a hang nail, but there has got to be something wrong with him besides his horrible looks.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Like Bronco said, I am all for guys who try to play through the pain and gut it out, but when your a pitcher and your ERA is around 10 for the past 5 starts, it's time to go on the DL because the only thing you are doing is hurting your team.

Actually, his ERA was saved by some errors, but it didn't deserve to be.

[MaineDolFan]

His ERA actually lowered from 5.02 to 5.01 last night.  That is misleading, too however.  His wild pitches don't count as an error, but they directly attributed to runs.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Once again an ace underachieves, this time for Boston. Schilling didn't really pitch bad, just made the wrong pitches at the wrong times to dangerous hitters. Who knew Rodriguez would turn on a fastball? I would say 55,000 there didn't.

The rubber game is Chacon vs. Wakefield and I would love for Chacon to go 7 strong, but I would also love to be hung like a can of pringles. I got better odds than Chacon. He just doesn't throw enough strikes and you can't do that against a patient team.