05/27: Will the Big Unit be able to beat the Bosox tonight?
Posted by: David
In the first game of the season Randy Johnson pitched great and the Yankees beat the Red Sox 9-2 at Yankee Stadium. Since then he has been somewhat mediocre. He normally starts very slowly and gives up runs early in the game. Against the Mets, he gave up twelve hits and a guy like Miguel Cairo hit a homerun off of him. He needs to establish his velocity and location very early. He needs to go after the lefties like Damon, Ortiz and Nixon and dominate.
Is the relatively cold weather an excuse why he is throwing 91-93 mph rather than the 97-99 mph he was reaching consistenly last year? He seemed very frustrated against the Mets when they were hitting seeing eye base hits and dunking balls into the outfield. I think he will come out tonight and go right after the Sox from the first pitch. I just hope his aggression is controlled and he doesn't try and overthrow which will cause him to get behind in the count.
The Red Sox were just swept by the Toronto Blue Jays and really haven't been playing well at all. Johnny Damon and David Ortiz are complaining about the team in general and their poor play. With last night's win the Yankees jumped over the Red Sox into second place and this weekend the Yankees have the opportunity to open up some distance between them.
The Red Sox will be throwing Tim Wakefield tonight and he normally pitches very well against the Yankees. He seems to frustrate them and they end up looking silly. Hopefully they will not go up to the plate trying to hit home runs. They should try and go deep in the count and take him to the opposite field. Since he throws the knuckleball, pitch count really isn't a concern for him. Matt Clement will go Saturday vs. Pavano in the FOX Network game of the week and on Sunday night Mussina will face Boomer Wells. Clement has been great but Boomer may be close to his career finish line if things don't turn around soon.
A side story will be Mariano Rivera and his recent inability to beat the Bosox. He has been great lately, but it seems the Sox have his number because they have faced him so often. It will be a challenge for him and the team to be able to complete save opportunities.
However the games turn out it will be for sure that it will be great theater and Yankees and Red Sox fans will be on hand and glued to their TV sets and radios. I can't wait, what a great Memorial Day weekend to look forward to.
Is the relatively cold weather an excuse why he is throwing 91-93 mph rather than the 97-99 mph he was reaching consistenly last year? He seemed very frustrated against the Mets when they were hitting seeing eye base hits and dunking balls into the outfield. I think he will come out tonight and go right after the Sox from the first pitch. I just hope his aggression is controlled and he doesn't try and overthrow which will cause him to get behind in the count.
The Red Sox were just swept by the Toronto Blue Jays and really haven't been playing well at all. Johnny Damon and David Ortiz are complaining about the team in general and their poor play. With last night's win the Yankees jumped over the Red Sox into second place and this weekend the Yankees have the opportunity to open up some distance between them.
The Red Sox will be throwing Tim Wakefield tonight and he normally pitches very well against the Yankees. He seems to frustrate them and they end up looking silly. Hopefully they will not go up to the plate trying to hit home runs. They should try and go deep in the count and take him to the opposite field. Since he throws the knuckleball, pitch count really isn't a concern for him. Matt Clement will go Saturday vs. Pavano in the FOX Network game of the week and on Sunday night Mussina will face Boomer Wells. Clement has been great but Boomer may be close to his career finish line if things don't turn around soon.
A side story will be Mariano Rivera and his recent inability to beat the Bosox. He has been great lately, but it seems the Sox have his number because they have faced him so often. It will be a challenge for him and the team to be able to complete save opportunities.
However the games turn out it will be for sure that it will be great theater and Yankees and Red Sox fans will be on hand and glued to their TV sets and radios. I can't wait, what a great Memorial Day weekend to look forward to.
