Well the outcome from last night was much better than I had expected. I know about Wake and his record v. Toronto, but I also know about Wake and his classic meltdowns, so that is always in the back of my mind when he pitches. Good for him to pitch such an efficient game, making the bridge to Papelbon that much shorter. Must be a real treat for hitters to chase butterflies for 3 AB's then face mid 90's gas.
I think the series is more important to Boston than it is to the Jays, at this point of the season. Already trailing by 3.5 going in (2 in the loss column), they certainly did not want to be swept. Even losing 2-3 will hurt becuase the Yankees are rolling along, Tex and Arod are hitting bombs nearly every game now in that launching pad of a ballpark. Boston needs to win the series and now they have a better chance than I had first thought. Lester has to be better tomorrow and he does pitch much better at Fenway. Plus they get Youkilis back tonight.
Jays shouldn't look at this as a big series. It is only game 1 of 18 they will play each other. They have built a pretty good lead that losing a series, if they do end up losing to Boston, isn't going to end their season. There will be lots of other chances to beat the Yankees and Red Sox. I just think Boston has much bigger problems than Toronto has - specifically starting pitching, Ortiz and the SS position, where they have now made nearly as many errors this season as the Jays have as a team. I don't watch a lot of Jays games but so far I don't think they have many problems. If they did, they wouldn't have one of the best records in MLB. Plus, their already very good pitching is going to get even better at some point this season. Then again, one has to believe Boston's pitching will also get better, they can't go much lower than where they are now. I will trade you an Ortiz and a Lugo for
all the Jays problems combined. LOL.
Penny v. Cecil tonight should be an interesting game. The John Goodman look alike has actually been pretty good for the most part, but I don't think the Jays will have much trouble with him. Boston has to realize that it is okay to score after the 4th inning. Seems the last 3-4 games, they score early then call it a night. Jays win tonight then hopefully Lester can get it back together for the rubber match tomorrow.
How did everyone enjoy Dennis Eckersly on the broadcast? He can be a bit of an arrogant jerk at times, some nights he will come right out and pretty much call an opposing player or a team a piece of crap. However, I will take the NESN feed on the TSN games so I don't have to listen to Howdy Doody.
