Clair, I'm afraid your Sox won't be making the playoffs this year. I think you had your chance to create some distance from New York while they were going through injuries. Matsui should be back soon and then Sheffield. Yanks win the East and the 2nd place Central team will take the wildcard.
i don't know why you adressed that specifically toward me I just like to see the Sox succeed, b/c it normally means the Yankees won't succeed my team is the braves! But the Yankees can have all the hitting they desire. They have struggled this year b/c of PITCHING Sidney Ponson is a regular in their rotation... nuff said
Don't count on Matsui's return being soon, if at all this season. Sheffield probably won't be back until late August at the earliest. Also, the Yankees are riding a hot streak lately, but are still inconsistent, and are no gaurantee to win the division. Boston is almost unbeatable at Fenway, and will play more home games than any other team the 2nd half. With the rookie Lester coming on strong, and Schilling and Becket being as reliable as you can ask a starter to be, the Sox will be tough to catch. Especially if Wakefield doesn't sit out too long, and Clement even gets back half the stuff he had as a Cub.
matsui could be cleared for hitting drills as early as tomorrow. sheff returning more like early or mid september. octavio dotel about to be done with minor league rehab to offer mariano much needed help out the pen. oh and i hate the yanks.
octavio dotel is no savior, by any means, but considering what they've got other than Rivera, it should help
http://http://sportsline.com/mlb/injuries That's just when Matsui will be "healed" enough to play. But no telling how long before the strength, and full range of motion returns to his wrist, because that varies greatly from person to person.
if he can stay healthy he definitely could be if hes anywhere near the setup guy he was with the stros. hes no closer as the mets found out. back to 2.00 era and a k per inning is exactly what mariano needs from dotel before they blow his arm out. torre has been forced to pitch him over an inning in far too many games already because farnsworth and proctor are average at best and cannot be trusted. hes looked good so far in rehab i think.
carpenter is throwing pellets right now in STL, this should be a Cardinals win... I don't see our 3-A starter holding off STL for long
im quite aware he wont be 100% much like anyone coming off rehab. you said he was likely out all season. matsui has said all along he was returning in august. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/436319p-367634c.html regarding form and mechanics not strikeouts and era even though thats been good as well.
