The Empire Advances

A long time ago (2004), in a galaxy far, far away (New York)...It is a period of civil war. Red clad rebels, striking from a hidden base in Boston won their first victory in 86 years against the evil Galactic Empire. During the battle the Red Clad Rebel spies managed to steal secret plans on the way to defeat the Empire. Pursued by the Empire's sinister Cashmen, Prince Theo races home from California aboard the Flying Henry, custodian of the stolen Japanese secret weapon that can save her people and restore freedom, and the pennant, to the Galaxy.

"Pitching, Theo, Pitching," said the master. "The force is in the pitching.

The Empire, in all its offensive glory, decends on the rebel capital of Fenway Park tomorrow and we will find out which power is the stronger. The Yankmees swagger in with its gaudy offense featuring a relentless, patient hard hitting attack. The Sox counter with a dazzling, stingy pitching staff with its finesse and intimidation. Which is the greater power? This weekend, we are about to find out.

The Yankmees come in to town with a fearsome offense having bludgeoned there way to several walk off wins including today's 8-6 win over the Indians. Their eyepopping offensive stats have them ranked first in the major leagues in runs and home runs, second in team average (.283) and third in hits and OBP. The Sox meanwhile, are ranked 12th in runs and OBP, 14th in team average (.249), 17th in homers (they lead ARod 12-10) and 25th in hits.

So why are the Sox 9-5 one game up on the Yankees who come in at 8-6? Simple. It's the pitching stupid. If I've told Kevin in New York once, I've told him a thousand times. Good pitching beats good hitting most of the time. That axiom will be sorely tested this weekend. The immovable object meets the irresitible force. Something's got to give.

And the Sox certainly have the pitching so far this season. They rank 1st in opponent's batting average (.203) and runs allowed, second in ERA and tenth in strikouts. The Bombers rank 6th in opponent's batting, 8th in ERA, 13th in runs allowed and 28th in strikeouts.

The pitching matchups are ridiculously in favor of the Sox. Curt Schilling (2.84) vs. Andy Pettitte (1.50) back from the Minors in Houston; Josh Beckett (1.50) vs. Jeff Karstens (first start this year) and Dice K (2.70) vs. Chase Wright (5.40). But that is only on paper. What the Sox arms do against the new Murderer's Row will tell us a lot about the fortunes of these two teams going forward. The weather is expected to be pleasant, so that won't be an excuse for either team. It is mano a mano in this first round between the heavyweights of the American League.

Couple of suggestions for the Sox to slow down the Yankees potent offense.
1. Steal Giambi's needles
2. Hit a couple of long bombs into the triangle in center so Johnny Demon can impale himself on the bullpen wall as he did in 2005.
3. Sneak into ARod's hotel room and replace all the April calendars with October ones.

But seriously folks, one thing that Sox hurlers should do, and Schill should start it on ARod's first at bat, is to send some serious chin music inside. The Yankmees are way too comfortable at the plate. Who can forget the 2004 ALCS when Hideki "Shemp" Matsui was drilling Sox pitching. Pedro, God bless him, finally unleashed a screaming fastball at Godzilla's head knocking him on his pinstriped butt. He was never again heard from in the series. The Sox need to send that message again. And quickly before they get their bats ramped up.

Or failing that, Captain Tek needs to prepare another MittBurger for Mr. April, who is again on fire when nothing is on the line. Of course, the way Tek is going, he would go for ARod's head and miss.

In any event, fasten your seat belt for three great days of baseball. Pitching vs. hitting. Athens vs. Sparta. NY vs Boston. Evil Empire vs. the Rebel Forces. Let the games begin.

May the (pitching) force be with us.