Game 16: The Pinstriped Glass Cannon

Final Score: Boston Red Sox 7, New York Yankees 5

You know, I am starting to feel for this Yankee team. This is a team that is so plagued by injuries (because they have old or brittle pitchers) that Jeff Karstens isn’t even the biggest loser on the current staff.

Come on! Jeff Karstens? This guy was bagging groceries two months ago and he STILL is more recognizable than Chase Wright who just happens to be the body the Yanks are throwing out there today.

So why do the Yankees even have a shot anymore? Well it’s because they’ve paired this limping, drooling, single A pitching staff with the most potent hitting lineup in baseball. Beckett looked “ok” yesterday (he hung a few curveballs) and got lit up for his efforts. These brutes from the Bronx will punish you for every mistake you make on the mound and pretty much ever guy in the lineup can do it. They can score 4 to 14 runs every game.

So the Sox just need to be sure to score 5 to 15 off the scrubs in pinstripes. Smash the weakest part so when they inevitably get to the starter, they are just playing catch-up and run head long into the bullpen.

So yesterday they followed that battle plan. Ortiz and co. took Karstens to task and Oakie (I am REALLY starting to love this guy) and Papal-bon were able to put of the fire Beckett started.

The Yanks can dish it out, but they can’t take it like they were able to in past seasons. I want to see the same thing tonight with Dice K on the mound. Let’s get this guy some run support early. Out of everybody on the staff he is due for some help from the bats.