Chat transcript: Globe reporter Gordon Edes
October 8, 2007Gordon_Edes: hey, everyone. welcome to the redeye edition of the dot com chat. But i'm up for it if you guys are
El_Guapo__Guest_: Hi Gordon, who's a better matchup for the Sox, New York or Cleveland?
Gordon_Edes: EG,I think given the state of the Yanks pitching, you'd be better off taking your chances against the Bombers, but do you really want to take your chances on seeing Johnny D. launching home runs against the Sox like he did last night? Realistically, I don't think you'd want to go up against C.C. and Carmona twice each in a seven-game series, but again if I were the Sox I'd prefer the Tribe
Rondo__Guest_: What will the Sox be doing for the long layoff before the ALCS? Are they going to rest for a couple of days then get back to it? Do you think the layoff will help or will it stifle their momentum?
Gordon_Edes: Rondo, John Blake, the Sox crack publicist, sent out an e-mail at 5 a.m. informing us of the team's plans. They shut it down today, having taken the redeye back, but they will be at the ballpark tomorrow at midday for a full workout and will continue to work out for the next two days
Mrinal__Guest_: Hi Gordon, going into the ALCS do you think Dice-K will be pushed out as the third starter in favor of Schilling? For whatever reason Dice-K isnt still looking like the dominant pitcher as he was early in the season.
Gordon_Edes: That's a very good question. If you leave Schill in the 3 hole, he would be in position to pitch Game 7, so they may leave well enough alone
Giant_Papi__Guest_: Manny and Papi couldnt be swinging the bats any better ... do you remember a time this season, or any other season, when they were both as locked in as they seem now?
Gordon_Edes: GP, I don't know...how 'bout October, 2004?
Skip__Guest_: Did we see the last of Roger Clemens last night?
Gordon_Edes: Skip, I haven't had a chance to read today's dispatches regarding the Rocket, but it doesn't look good at all for him, does it? I would think he's very uncertain for the next round, if the Yanks advance....as for next year, I have to think he's going to be sitting in Barcalounger somewhere
Josh__Guest_: Once again, Gagne gets put into a game against an opponent that .....hadn't shown signs of life in the game until that point, and immediately gives up a run. If he can't get a 1-2-3 inning in a no pressure situation, how on earth are they supposed to use him when the game is actually on the line? Do you think, reading between the lines, that it says something that Gagne didn't get used on Friday? Seems almost like they asked for an inning and a third from three other guys to avoid having Gagne go in for one. Do you think the Sox will consider leaving him off the next round's roster, or is that just wishful thinking on behalf of the entire Red Sox Nation?
Gordon_Edes: Josh, I think you're drawing the wrong conclusion. How many times have you seen a closer come into a game in a nonsave situation and give up runs? It happens all the time. They're just not geared up the same way, and with a 9-0 lead, Gagne is pitching to contact and just trying to get outs as quickly as he can. It does seem fairly evident, however, that the Sox aren't planning to use EG with the game on the line if they can avoid it
maineiac__Guest_: Is Tim Wakefield going to be the #4 starter in the ALCS? Do you think Lester will be on the roster?
Gordon_Edes: Maineiac, that certainly is the plan, but it all depends on how Wake bounces back from his shoulder issues. He had a side session over the weekend and everyone was encouraged. If Wake is on the roster, Sox would have to decide between Tavarez, Lester and Snyder as the 11th pitcher. I'm guessing on this one, but based on how little Julian pitched in September, they may opt to keep Lester
GO_SOX__Guest_: Hi Gordon, What is your prediction on the ALCS with the yankees/cleveland? Also, what do you think of Dice-K?
Gordon_Edes: I think the Tribe will rue not putting away the Yankees when they were up, 3-0, early in Game 3. I predict Bombers to advance
BurghSox_Fan__Guest_: Gordon, is, as K-Rod said yesterday, Manny more locked in now that he's been all season?? and can you attribute that to the month that he had off at the end of the season??
Gordon_Edes: BSF, I've long given up trying to understand Manny, but there's no question that right now he's as dangerous as the Manny of yore...I don't see how being off a month would have helped to lock him. He's a guy who up until last season usually played 150 games plus a year. He mentioned that he hadn't felt right, timing wise all season...those issues are long gone, obviously
Mike_in_NJ__Guest_: Gordo, is it me or should we starting thinking "Uh-oh! Here we go again!" with the Yankees? Emperor Steinbrenner issues a decree and the Empire's pinstriped Stormtroopers strike back. Are we looking at another repeat of 2001 when the Yanks came back against the A's?
Gordon_Edes: That's what I'm thinking, Mike. The difference in '01 is that when the Yanks came back from 0-2 to beat the A's, Game 5 was in the Bronx. This time they'll have to do it in Cleveland
michaelsean__Guest_: Gordon, do you expect Jacoby Ellsbury to be given a start in centerfield this next series?
Gordon_Edes: MS, I don't see that happening unless Coco is taking some real bad at-bats and is 0 for 9 or so after three games. I think the Sox like having Ellsbury in the role he's in
Josh__Guest_: Morning, Gordon. Hope you had a good trip. In your opinion, what's the best thing you saw about the Sox this short series, and what what was the worst (the thing you think needs the most improvement or perhaps scared you for the next round)?
Gordon_Edes: Josh, I'm stating the obvious when I say you have to be most impressed with the Sox pitching, on both ends. Beckett and Schill were fabulous, but so was the pen in picking up Daisuke in Game 2. There is very little to find fault with, other than to say if Daisuke is throwing 96 pitches in 4 2/3 against a team as free-swinging as the Angels, heaven help him against the Bombers or Tribe.
KeithS__Guest_: Gordon, what do you think the team's general feelings are about their long break before the next series?
Gordon_Edes: KeithS,
Gordon_Edes: I think they hope the other series goes as long as possible while they're resting. This layoff is nothing like the one the Tigers had before the WS last season, which I do think impacted their play. Any time you can get extra rest at this time of year, you take it. This won't take the edge off.
kevin_in_asheville__Guest_: Steve Stone on TBS implied that Schilling was hittable early in yesterday's game, but that Schilling got sharper as the game wore on. Is that also your impression. Did Sox dodge an early bullet? (I realize Weaver dodged an early bullet as well).
Gordon_Edes: K in A, Schill himself said after the game he made a lot of mistakes early. By my count, the Angels hit six line drives off him in the first three innings. But he was at his best with men on base, and definitely got better as the game went along
Bostondotcom: OK all
Bostondotcom: Gordon will answer a question or two more. He has completed his required 30 minutes in the room.
Maury_in_Jax__Guest_: Gordon, the Sox have some decisions to make on a handful of players for next season. Any news on Lowell, Timlin, Tavares, Mirabelli, Wakefield, Schilling...
Gordon_Edes: Maury, everything in its season. Sox will address those issues after the postseason. Lowell has put himself in the position of being a hot commodity on the FA market. If he gets a four-year offer from someone else, he'll be gone, IMO. I don't see the Sox picking up Tavarez's option. Timlin says he wants to pitch next season; I suspect he will be leaving, too. Wake, I expect will be back. If he's back, I'd guess Doug will be back, too, but that may be a coin flip, too.
Espi__Guest_: I have a question regarding Varitek & the future. Would it be wise to transition him to a pitching coach based on his game prep, smarts and knowledge of other team's batters?
Gordon_Edes: Espi, I think Jason will be content to go home and watch his kids grow up when he's done playing. Would he make a great coach? Of course. And perhaps after a sabbatical from the game, he'll come back. But I think he'll be ready for a vacation when his playing day is over
flanman74__Guest_: Gordon, I've enjoyed your work for years and really appreciate the hard work you put in. So, whaddya think? Does Trot Nixon get cheered or booed if the Sox take on the Tribe in the AlCS?
Gordon_Edes: Gotta be cheers...lots of 'em, flanman. Trot didn't ask to leave. People will be eager to show some love
Laz_Dog__Guest_: Gord: We had better not all get TOO excited here...it was good to win the series but lets remember it was an injured, depleted Angels team that was a shell of itself during the season. What do you think?
Gordon_Edes: LD, I hear you, but I think you have to get excited when Manny and Papi are as locked in as they are, Beckett and Schill are both October monsters, and the pen is pitching as well as it is
Gordon_Edes: OK, everyone, time for me to move on and start filling up tomorrow's Globe. Thanks for all the questions, and thanks for the support you show all of us--Amalie, Dan-O, Bob Ryan, Michael Vega, Nick and Peter May with the Yanks/Tribe during this busy time as we try to keep you as well informed as we possibly can. I consider myself so lucky to be doing this, and never lose sight of how cool it is that you're reading me in the Globe.
Bostondotcom: Thanks everyone for participating.
