With 2007 AL Cy Young Award Winner Daisuke Matsuzaka scheduled to win his debut, and the Phillies scheduled for their 1st win early this afternoon, the whole 8-5 thing wasn't a good fit for me today. So I got all my work done faster than Papelbon dispatches a camp full of Tusken Raiders (for the Phillies-inclined, faster than Lieber dispatches a 12 course snack), and left the rest of the work day to the bullpen. As I hurtled down the highway at the speed of Darren Daulton's spaceship, I tuned into WEEI to soak up some of the Matsu-Mania. A Japanese sports reporter type (with a voice eerily reminiscent to that of my least favorite Statistics professor of all-time ) was speaking of the "3 peaks" of Matsuzaka's debut. The "3 peaks" were: the 1st MLB start, the 1st home start against Seattle and Ichiro Suzuki, and the 1st start against the Yankees and Hideki Matsui.
Consider the 1st peak scaled. Matsuzaka dominated the Royals, holding them to 1 ER over 7 innings, in a 4-1 Sox victory. He allowed 6 hits (including a solo HR) and 1 BB, while striking out 10. He seemed to be toying with the Royals, retiring them with a variety of different pitches, and ambling around the mound with an extremely focused expression after he did so. It was extremely impressive to watch. If Matsuzaka performs that well the rest of the season, the Red Sox (and my Sporting News fantasy baseball team!) will each have a good shot at 1st place. It's possible that the optimism may need to be tempered a little bit, when considering that the Royals are not exactly an offensive juggernaut. But Matsuzaka seems to have the stuff and the demeanor to succeed, if not excel, in MLB.
As for the rest of the Sox, Jonathan Papelbon made his 2007 debut, easily retiring the Royals in order (with 2 K's) in the 9th for the 1st of his 87 saves this season. Mike Lowell and Dustin Pedroia each went 2 for 4, with the 2B Hobbit raising his batting avg. to .500. Jason Varitek went 0 for 4 (.091 avg.) and Coco Crisp went 1 for 4 (.100). The Sox need to get more production from those two. In Julio Lugo news, he tried to steal 3rd with Papi at bat, and nobody out. He was safe at 3rd, and scored as the errant throw from C John Buck went into LF. But a good throw would have had him, and it didn't seem that such a good situation for him to be stealing. However, J.D. Drew (1.1 OPS!) might be starting to win me over.MIGHT BE. (As a Phillies fan, I can't believe I just typed that.)
For the Royals, SP Zack Greinke was very effective, allowing only 2 runs (1 ER) over 7 innings.
Greinke missed almost the entire 2006 season, as he dealt with the effects of depression and social anxiety disorder (S.A.D). His effective performance today was another positive step in his battle against his illnesses. I'll be rooting for him. (Just not against the Sox!)
The Phillies continued the battle against their own illnesses (L.O.B, R.I.S.P., "crappy-ass relievers") today, once again losing to their personal demons, and the Braves, 8-4. $24.5 million starting pitcher Adam Eaton was ineffective, allowing all 8 runs (7 ER), over 4 2/3 putrid innings "pitched." The Phillies tried to peck away at an 8-1 deficit after 5 innings, but fell short as they had too many missed opportunities (14 LOB.) Pat Burrell went 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles, raising his batting average to .364, but still continues to be booed mercilessly by a clueless subgroup of Phillies fans. (If they wish to know who they should be booing, I would be glad to furnish them with a list.) Perhaps Project P5 needs to be started. "Forget the Contract. Remember the Game."
I still think the Phillies have an excellent team, and are playoff bound, but it would be nice for them to get into the win column. Soon. Like in their next game. With the Phillies playing 3 games against CF Alejandro De Aza (.885 OPS!) and the Florida Marlins, and the Sox with a weekend set against the 0-3 Texas Rangers, it will be a good time for my teams to pick up some W's. I predict we'll see some Howard Blasts and Papelbonian Brilliance this weekend.
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