4 games in 3 days in Pawtucket

[Mike D.]

Well, my long weekend oddesy at McCoy is over. As some of you know, I had a little side gig scoring Pawsox games for a stats company. Well, this weekend was my first games, and I ended up going to 4 games in 3 days. Fridays rainout led to a double header on Saturday, and I had single games on Sunday and Monday. It's a bit cold for baseball in New England yet (Sunday was particularly miserable), but it was good getting to see the goings on in Pawtucket.

Last night, Mike Timlin made a 1-innings rehab "start" for the Pawsox. His official line was 2 hits and 1 K in a scoreless inning, but the first hit should have been an error in my opinion. The official scorer in Pawtucket is the most leanient I've ever seen when doling out hits. Timlin was between 88 and 92 with this fastball on the stadium gun, and nothing was hit hard off him. He got outs on a swinging strikeout (after the hit/error to lead off), he gave up a ground single to right, a tapper back to the mound, and a grounder to second.

Despite the cold, Chris Carter is really tearing the cover off the ball...in 5 games, he's got a .444/.500/.667 line with 4 doubles and 3 RBI. He has struck out five times and looked below average in left field. Brandon Moss has been playing first base and has looked solid there.

After having 10,000 people at McCoy on opening night, I don't think there was half that total for the four games I saw this weekend. There were about 300 people in the park for the start of Saturdays second game (it was a single admission DH) and about 200-250 there when yesterday's game ended. Warmer weather will bring the bigger crowds.

The biggest prospects at Pawtucket to start the season are Moss (a fan favorite already), Carter, and Jed Lowrie. Catchers Dusty Brown and George Kottaras both could figure into the big clubs plans as soon as next season. On the pitching side there are no big time prospects like a Buchholz on the roster right now, but I expect to see some come up from AA at some point this summer (Bowden, Masterson?). There are several pitchers who could contribute to the big club in limited roles this year, including Colon, Pauley, Hansack, and Kolb.

Anyway, just figured I'd share a few observations from my first four games down in Pawtucket. As the season progresses, I'll try to post any other interesting happenings/observations. Hopefully, by then, I'll have regained feeling in my feet!

[DickZ]

Thanks, Mike, for posting an upbeat note in the middle of all this gloom and doom coming from others here.

I hope that we don't have to get rid of Big Papi just because he's batting .115, or get rid of Josh Beckett because his ERA is almost 10.0. And those of us who figured Clay Buchholz would throw a no-hitter every time out are getting pretty disappointed with him too.

I'm still waiting for someone to say we have to get rid of all these guys, and not just toss out Lugo and Delcarmen.

And I hope your feet warm up too.

[Mike D.]

After looking at the Red Sox schedule before the season, I said that if they come out of April at .500, I like our chances.

I mean, look at the schedule....Japan, west coast exhibitions, the A's 1-2 starters again, then a cross country flight to play in Toronto. They're finally home today, and what do they get? The Tigers followed by the Yankees. Then they hit the road and play the Indians and Yankees.

They then have Texas at home, probably their easiest series of the young season, but then the Angels come to town before they play on the road at a much improved Tampa Bay.

By my calculations, they travel 16,000 miles and play games in three countries, then play four straight series against the elite teams of the American League, then things get a *little* easier with two series against so-so teams (Texas and Tampa Bay) and one against another elite team (the Angels).

That's a rough month! And freaking out over super-small sample sized stats is crazy. Yes, Beckett's ERA is almost 10...in what, five innings? In his first start of the year? Coming off an injury? Let's release the bum! :cap:

[brose3312]

You just have to laugh at the doom and gloom club.
Same story they sang last September. Mike, great point about the schedule, it is brutal and the fact is they will probably be in third or fourth place at the end of the month. I think there is plenty to be positive about early on starting with Dice K and J.D. Drew. Two guys the that people wanted no part of last year are off to great starts.

Is Chris Carter better suited to be a major league DH?

[Mike D.]

Is Chris Carter better suited to be a major league DH?

I'd say yes, that's probably his ideal position, no offense met to Mr. Carter.

He has played mostly 1b during his career, but the Sox seem to be playing him mostly in left so far this season. I guess they're trying to see where his glove will do the least damage. Of course, they're also playing Moss out of position at 1b to add to his versatility (he can play all three OF positions, too), so maybe they're just trying to do the same with Carter.

[Jager]

Is Chris Carter better suited to be a major league DH?

MUCH! He's pretty terrible defensively. Maybe adequate, but that's being generous probably. If he was on any other AL team he'd definitely be on the big club DH'ing. That kid can flat out hit, but he can't field much of anything.

[brose3312]

If that is the case then where do you guys see him fitting in. Is he the future replacement of Ortiz? Ortiz still seems to have a few more years left in the tank. It seems that his trade value would be somewhat diminished if he is an ideal DH.