Points for Papelbon
After the disappointing performance of Keith Foulke on Monday afternoon, the talk of the Boston media was "Will Francona bring Foulke in to protect a 1 run lead?" The answer, as we found out, is no. At least it is for now.
Last night's game against the Rangers was really interesting to watch because it featured several things we don't normally see. First, we saw a pitcher who struggled at the outset settle down and finish through 7 innings of work with only 1 run allowed. Second, we saw our Coco Crisp back up his assertion that he thinks "Triple" every time he hits a ball into the corner. Third, we saw a pitcher come out in the bottom of the ninth inning against a strong lineup and exude the sort of confidence and intensity, not to mention display the pure stuff, that is needed to emphatically shut the door on a close game.
The Red Sox don't normally win games like last night. It's far to early to have any sort of indication as to whether or not this team is going to be able to prosper in thost situations, and anybody who predicts something like that isn't going to be able to substantiate it. Still, it was an encouraging step in the right direction for both the bullpen and for Terry Francona.
Francona has been called many things, including the "worst in-game manager in baseball" according to Rotoworld, but he has never been called gutsy. His reputation is for being a manager that sticks with the established veteran, that tries to give the war horse one more crack at revival. If you want proof of this, see Kevin Millar's constant presence in the lineup in 2005. It's fairly safe to say that most of RSN was praying for one of two things when Timlin escaped the second and third jam in the bottom of the eight: Either 1.) Keith Foulke comes in and we pray to all the gods in heaven he hits his spots, or 2.) Tito trots Papelbon in and we all rest easy.
Papelbon's performance on Monday made him deserving of Francona's confidence in this sort of situation, and it was impressive to see Francona actually make the right call this early in the season. In reflecting over why he decides now to do what everyone knows he should but what may not be popular in the clubhouse, it struck me that Francona received a contract extension in training camp, something that his recent predecessors had not. He's over .500 as a Boston skipper, and now that he's got a little more job security it's likely that he feels more ownership over the club. After tying the Yankees in games played and losing the division by default, the importance of even one game stands out, since just one game not blown by Foulke in '05 would've guaranteed a division title. Maybe this is a sign that Francona has turned it over, than he can manage intelligently, and that Sox fans will be able to stop the imitations of our seemingly moronic manager.
Then again, maybe this was just the third game of the season, and maybe this means nothing at all.
Last night's game against the Rangers was really interesting to watch because it featured several things we don't normally see. First, we saw a pitcher who struggled at the outset settle down and finish through 7 innings of work with only 1 run allowed. Second, we saw our Coco Crisp back up his assertion that he thinks "Triple" every time he hits a ball into the corner. Third, we saw a pitcher come out in the bottom of the ninth inning against a strong lineup and exude the sort of confidence and intensity, not to mention display the pure stuff, that is needed to emphatically shut the door on a close game.
The Red Sox don't normally win games like last night. It's far to early to have any sort of indication as to whether or not this team is going to be able to prosper in thost situations, and anybody who predicts something like that isn't going to be able to substantiate it. Still, it was an encouraging step in the right direction for both the bullpen and for Terry Francona.
Francona has been called many things, including the "worst in-game manager in baseball" according to Rotoworld, but he has never been called gutsy. His reputation is for being a manager that sticks with the established veteran, that tries to give the war horse one more crack at revival. If you want proof of this, see Kevin Millar's constant presence in the lineup in 2005. It's fairly safe to say that most of RSN was praying for one of two things when Timlin escaped the second and third jam in the bottom of the eight: Either 1.) Keith Foulke comes in and we pray to all the gods in heaven he hits his spots, or 2.) Tito trots Papelbon in and we all rest easy.
Papelbon's performance on Monday made him deserving of Francona's confidence in this sort of situation, and it was impressive to see Francona actually make the right call this early in the season. In reflecting over why he decides now to do what everyone knows he should but what may not be popular in the clubhouse, it struck me that Francona received a contract extension in training camp, something that his recent predecessors had not. He's over .500 as a Boston skipper, and now that he's got a little more job security it's likely that he feels more ownership over the club. After tying the Yankees in games played and losing the division by default, the importance of even one game stands out, since just one game not blown by Foulke in '05 would've guaranteed a division title. Maybe this is a sign that Francona has turned it over, than he can manage intelligently, and that Sox fans will be able to stop the imitations of our seemingly moronic manager.
Then again, maybe this was just the third game of the season, and maybe this means nothing at all.
Labels: 2006 Season
Ryan Brodeur at 8:33 AM
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