The White Sox got a big break, as the Red Sox have announced that they intend to scratch Josh Beckett from his start in this series. He will be replaced by rookie David Pauley (0-0 10.38 ERA in limited action) Pauley was 14-4 with a 3.55 ERA at AAA-Pawtucket. However, in game 1, the Red Sox will send Matsuzaka 15-2 2.98 ERA, against the ever unpredictable Javy Vasquez. Vasquez, pitched very well in his last start vs the Rays, but he left after loading the bases and the bullpen decided to throw gasoline on the fire. Buehrle will face the rookie Pauley in game 2 and in the best match-up Gavin Floyd (The new ace of the staff IMO) who is 14-6 with a 3.70 ERA, will face Tim Wakefield who is 8-8 with a pretty good 3.73 ERA. He throws slow enough that Konerko, Griffey and Thome should have no trouble catching up with his pitches. Overall-if the Sox can beat this rookie, they should have a decent chance to take the series. But game 1 looks like a tough one.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Game 1 plays into the Sox weakness of getting hits with 2 outs. Matsuzaka has been putting a lot of runners on lately with walks. At the same time he seems to get out jams. A hit here or there and this guy's ERA would balloon. Still, all the extra pitches he throws reduce the number of innings he pitches. This leads to the true underbelly of the Red Sox, their middle relief.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

For the soon-to-be ex World Champions, Josh Beckett's elbow is going to get the attention of noted Dr. James Andrews. Fans in "Red Sox Nation" up in Boston are concerned that the ace of their staff could be shut down depending on the results of the MRI. As for Tim Wakefield, the knuckle ball can be a pain in the ass to hit, or it could be batting practice for the White Sox come Sunday at Fenway & it could be real good for the guys in silver & black.

Steve, did you clear this post with Danny mac before puttin it up?
You really should ask him first.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

If Beckett is done for the year, they may not even make the playoffs. As it is, they only have a 2 game lead in the wild card. It looks like its between Boston, and Whomever does not win the A.L. Central-Sox/Twins, for the wild card.The Sox probably lament the fact Beckett will not pitch in this series, as he was not in his usual form last time out and got knocked around. With the hitters the Red Sox trot out though, this series will be anything but a cakewalk.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Yes, as a matter of fact I did. He said he thought it was OUTSTANDING. He also mentioned that he thinks you are the biggest DUMB ASS on these message boards. Can't argue with him on that....

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Go Cubs!!!!

You're cool Steve, never afraid to look like a dumbass. It's a thing of beauty.
You go boy (to ask Danny if that was a compliment or an insult).

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

In his last 10 games, Matsuzaka has averaged 6 2/3 innings pitched. He did only go 5 innings (1 run) against the Rays in his last start. But the start before, he went 7 1/3 against Min. (No runs) , 6 innings against Baltimore (again No runs) and against Seattle he had gone 7 1/3 while giving up 2 runs. Seems more likely that he will give it up to a set up man than anyone in middle relief.

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Go Cubs!!!!

He's pitched passed the sixth inning only 4 times in his last 14 starts. How is going 7 more likely?

Steve, you do realize that "dumbass," be it in all caps or regular font, is just one single word right? You fucking dumbass.

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Hmmm. You might be right, Frank. Funny how we choose to spell such swear words.

I think asswipe would be one word but I do beleive cock sucker should have a space in between.

I thought cocksucker was one word. At least it is whenever Mr Reason posts it. Motherfucker might be one word too.

Either way, any of the aforementioned, spaces or not, all apply to the waste of human life that is Elmhurst Steve.

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I thank Westmont for the assist but even on the information Steve provided Matsuzaka did not make it into the 7th on 2 out of 4 starts. The seventh inning is middle relief territory my man.

As far as the runs given up, that simply confirms my point.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Well, since he has gone 6 2/3 and 7 1/3 TWICE in the last 4 outings, it seems like a pretty good possibility.

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Go Cubs!!!!

The possibility of him going past the 6th is mathematically equal to the possibility of him not going past the 6th over the last 4 games. So you must also think that it's a pretty good possibility that he doesn't pitch more than 6 innings.
You're full of shit on this one Steve. And I think Mac would agree with me.

Daisuke Matsuzaka went 8 innings in his first meeting with the White Sox and got the "W" about 2 weeks ago when Boston split the 4 game series at "The Cell". It'll be very interesting to see how the White Sox do vs. David Pauley tomorrow. No relation to Jane, but the BoSox called David up from Triple "A" Pawtucket and I think we know what the ChiSox do vs. pitchers they've never seen before...Not good.

Plus, for the sake of argument-who in that Boston Bullpen has been that bad in relief besides Timlin??? Hidecki Okajima has a 2.89 ERA, Justin Masterson, who has taken over Timlins spot for the most part-is 4-4 with a 3.30 ERA, Javier Lopez is 2-0 with a 2.90 ERA and if you get to the closer...well, Papelbon is 5-3 witha sparkling 1.71 ERA. That doesn't look too much like a walk in the park to me. But good luck getting into their bullpen before the 7th. And if you don't as Hawk would say..."Its Ovaaaa"

Westmont-if he pitched 6 2/3 , 7 1/3 and 7 1/3 again out of 4 games, that makes it 3 out of 4 that he has gone past 6 innings. 3 out of 4 is 75 %. Plus in the past 10 games, he has averaged 6 1/3 innings per start. That means he has pitched into the 7th inning on average. Thus getting past the more hitable arms in the bullpen and into the stage in the game where Okijima, Masterson and Papelbon are the guys they have to face. This game will not be close. Boston is gonna give them a beating in game 1. There is certainly hope for the Sox in games 2 & 3 but "strap it down" , and get ready for an ol fashioned beating tonight.

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Go Cubs!!!!

My best friend is a big Sox fan and feels the same way. I just think Floyd is consistantly good and Danks has wet the bed at times. He was awful his last start for example. They both should have very bright futures though-as long as they stay healthy...gotta add that. No reason to think they won't, but you never know.

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I'm not like Hawk. I don't bitch about balls and strikes every god damn day.

But today we got screwed. Their pitcher got 3 inches off the plate all day and we couldn't get calls when we hit the black. It's been amazing tonight. It's moments like this where you think the ump put some money on this game cuz it's been horrible. Or maybe he's just a Red Sox fan.

Like I said, I don't complain about the umps at all. This is the first time all year. Something is up with this Angel Hernandez. It's really weird tonight.

Of course, the cock sucking bullpen still gives it up. Carasco has the fucker 0-2 and hits the son of a bitch. Then he gives up a fuckin' 3 run double.

Fuck the Sox and fuck me.

Sox will recover. They'll still win the division. There is no hope for me.

Well, what do you know....Matsuzaka has gone 6 shutout innings already and will pitch into the 7th as he has in 3 of the last 4 games he has started. He may well pitch into the 8th as he has in 2 of his last 4 starts, where he went 7 1/3. No surprise to me. The Red Sox now lead 7-0 and the beating I predicted is on!!! Nice job by Pierzinski on the pop up and wild pitch he should have blocked. This game is ovaaaa.....

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Go Cubs!!!!

Coming from a cubs fan here. SHUT THE FUCK UP STEVE AND GET BACK TO YOUR OWN SIDE OF THE TRACKS BEFORE YOU GET YOUR ASS KICKED.

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What the fuck? We would have lost anyway more than likely. Matsuzaka was just good tonight. But the ump did everything he could to make sure he won his fuckin' bet tonight.

i agree the calls were AWFUL. but you don't have to point that out. hawk will do it for you...over, and over, and over again.

Red Sox are pitching a rookie tomorrow. He's making his MLB debut. No excuse not to kill him. Becket injury forced this move. Gotta take advantage of this break.

THAT'S BULL!!!

8 shutout innings on just 2 hits.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Matsuzaka was dealing tonight, and White Sox hitters couldn't get anything going. Right now, the A's need to do the Sox a favor and beat the Twins again this eve @ "Mt. Davis".

Ya Gotta hope Buehrle can hold down Bostons offense too. He has been kinda inconsistant this year. 11-10 on the year at this point, is not what one might expect of a guy making the money they gave him. He's supposed to be the staff ace. Yet Floyd and Danks have been better. It is a break, not to have to face Beckett. Hawk can say all he wants about facing a guy they have never seen before, but Beckett is a top of the line starter (when healthy) and facing a guy who wasn't good enough to be on the team out of spring training, or for most of the season for that matter,rather than Beckett, has to be a break. With the Twins beating up on the A's last night, the lead in the Central is just 1/2 game now. With Liriano going for the Twins today, if the Sox can't beat the rookie, they may well fall back to 2nd again.

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Go Cubs!!!!

The Red Sox are starting Michael Bowden from Waubonsie Valley High School. He was the Red Sox sandwich selection in 2005 (47th overall). He was an unbelievable pitcher in High School. His senior season he went 11-1 with a 0.45 ERA and 172 K's in 80 innings. At 21 years old he has shot through the minor leagues posting a 29-18 record and a 3.14 ERA in 3 season. He has also struck out 367 hitters in 375.2 innings while walking 101. It will be fun to watch a local kid make his major league debut but I hope the Sox knock him out of the game by the 3rd inning. He can get his first of many major league victories against Texas in his next start.