Rotation Woes and the Weekend

With my friend over at TwinsTown out on his tour of Midwest ballparks for his honeymoon, I'm wishing I was strolling down Yawkey Way right now. I can't want to go back next summer. Anyway, I hope he has a safe trip and a good time.

Boston heads in to the weekend using two AAA starters in Devern Hansack and Kason Gabbard. With Josh Beckett being out of the rotation on the DL, it looks like the Sox are anticipating handling the visiting Atlanta Braves with some offense and saving some pitching for New York. I’m not saying Hansack and Gabbard can’t and won’t do a good job, I’m just saying that the Braves may light them up. Gabbard hasn’t seen any action in the bigs this season, and Hansack came in relief at Toronto and only pitched 2/3 of an inning walked three, gave up a hit, and surrendered an earned run. Yeesh. Hopefully he comes up and pitches like he did in September against Baltimore last year.

Boston gives another 2 for 1 today, but of course with Time Warner being complete fuckheads in their coverage on my MLB Extra Innings package there will be no afternoon games. Thanks a fuckin’ bunch go out to FOX as well. Dice-K was supposed to pitch against Braves starter John Smoltz tonight, instead he’ll be going up against Anthony Lerew and Hansack will get to dual against Smoltz in the nightcap.

Coming off taking 3 of 4 from what was dubbed the hottest team in the American League, the Detroit Tigers, I’m thinking the Sox confidence as a team should be at a season high. Going into a National League matchup should be a good tune up for the Yankees series staring on Monday in the Bronx. On the other hand, they cannot look past the Braves as they are a good, young, and dangerous team. Being two games out in the NL East behind the New York Mets you know they’ll want to steal a game or two on the road while up in Boston. Last year, the Sox swept the Braves in Atlanta with closer Jonathan Papelbon picking up saves (3) in each contest.