Daisuke didn't look so sharp today against the Baltimore Orioles. I have to say I was nervous seeing him trotted out against an AL East team, but if all Sox pitchers were kept away from AL East opponents, there'd be half as many Spring Training games as are apparently necessary. He's gotta face 'em sometime--and maybe it's for the best they didn't see him with his best stuff.
The NESN broadcasters have conclusively identified the gyroball as a Pedro-Martinez style turned-over changeup, without quite as sharp a break. Matsuzaka threw a few beauts today, mostly in his highly efficient first inning. That first inning ended with Sox supporters standing and applauding under the lazy Florida sun, as he thew gem after gem, his location sharp, his fastball humming around 92, the breaking pitches huge and sweeping.
I'm not sure what happened after that. With two men on base in the fourth, Matsuzaka induced a ground ball he fielded himself, then wheeled to feed it to the second baseman for a double play, and missed. He threw the ball into center field. Afterward, in slow motion, NESN lingered on his face throughout the replay. I thought of my dad's line: "Around here we live for a guy to strike out against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in May." His outing was over shortly after that.
Now we find ourselves at 4 to 2, O's. Julian Tavarez just got a Lowell-anchored double play and has a full count to Brian Roberts (I think? NESN sound is all screwed up today). Then he walked him. Fortunately, Miguel Tejada flies out to J.D. Drew to end the inning.
Repeat after me: It's only March. It's only March. It's only March.
P.S. Just before Mike Lowell's bloopy single to bring it within one, the cameras showed Bill Belichick, decked out in casual golf gear, jawing into a cell phone, lounging around languidly while the game went on...only he wasn't in some seats in the bleachers or even right behind home plate--as the camera pulled back a bit Tito came into view; Belichick, looking frankly bored, is sitting right next to him in the dugout. Still, this can only be a good sign.
It is only March! Daisuke will have days like this throughout the season. The important thing is he was throwing harder and pretty close to full speed.
I'd much rather see streaky with moments of greatness than mediocrity across the board - its those hot streaks that you ride to World Series victories.
Needless to say, I'm happy he's in Boston and look forward to seeing many more games this year.
Posted by: Greg | March 11, 2007 at 20:05
i'm trying to decide between two seats at fenway - pavilion and loge. i've never been there and am a sox fan from nj. can you give me some insight into which are better? the pavilion seats are box 10 on the 3rd base side. the loge seats are box 98 on first base side
Posted by: beardedmike | March 11, 2007 at 20:51
beardedmike, they both have their advantages. pavilion is the upper deck, roof boxes--interesting view up there of the whole park and the city beyond. but if you can only get to one game, though, i'd take the loge seats. those are in the inner "bowl" of the stadium, around the infield, second section back. loge seats are also in front of the grandstand, so they don't have poles in the way.
Posted by: beth | March 11, 2007 at 22:31
so the loge seats have good views, than? i've also heard that the pavilion has great views of the game as well, but it seems that they are up so high that they wouldn't.
Posted by: beardedmike99 | March 12, 2007 at 08:43
yes, loge seats are right near the field and not blocked by anything. if you're going to one game, take the loge seats is my advice. the pavillion seats have a good view but they are the upper deck, further from the field.
Posted by: beth | March 12, 2007 at 09:36
not to be a pain in the ass, but i called the ticket office and they said pavilion has a better view. are loge seats in foul ball territory? i was going to go with the loge, but i had to call the damn ticket office.
Posted by: beardedmike99 | March 12, 2007 at 10:47
mike, i don't have a new answer for you. if you want my opinion, loge is better. if you don't want the loge seats, don't take 'em. up to you.
Posted by: beth | March 12, 2007 at 10:54
"Just before Mike Lowell's bloopy single to bring it within one, the cameras showed Bill Belichick, decked out in casual golf gear, jawing into a cell phone, lounging around languidly while the game went on..."
This only reconfirms the idea that Belichick is one of the most influential people in hip hop.
Posted by: Nick | March 12, 2007 at 15:52