DON'T ANSWER YET - let me explain my question....
Regular season ends and Sox and Angels are up for first round. Francona announces pitching rotation for series, and "everyone" (at least in Boston sports media) assumes that OF COURSE Schilling will pitch in Game 2 - but Francona put Schill in for Game 3 instead, and the media trip all over themselves to find out WHY, OH WHY is Francona doing this?! Good God Almighty, WHYYYYYYY?!?!?! Francona gives a sheepish, apologetic press conference about how he thought REALLY HARD about this and just had to go with Schilling in 3.
And yet, they have to play AT LEAST 3 games anyway in a 5-game series... so, whether Schilling is pitching in 2 or in 3, HE PITCHES! He gets to pitch in the playoffs! In fact, he's in a position to possibly WIN the series for the Sox by pitching Game 3 instead of 2.
SO HERE'S MY QUESTION: Baseball fans (not just Sox fan) - help me understand this drama, because I don't!
2007-10-05 03:29:15 · 6 answers · asked by ? 6 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Adam and Eric - OK, I see what you're saying, but I guess what I don't get is why the media in Boston portrayed this as some sort of slap against Schilling, like Francona lacked confidence in him or something. I know (well, assume) you don't see Boston media, but that's the way I was hearing this whole thing.
2007-10-05 03:40:01 · update #1
Francona's first thoughts were, he wanted Schilling to pitch Game 2, and save his best pitcher besides Beckett (Dice-K) to win that crucial Game 3, should the Angels tie the series. However, I believe NOW, Francona wants to use Beckett in Game 4, and rack up two quick victories against the Angels, and should Schilling blow up, they have Beckett on the mound for Game 4.
Smart strategy by Francona - very good move, too. (I'm a Yankee fan too, and I'll admit it's great strategy)
2007-10-05 03:35:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Slow down your brain.
Curt Schilling's playoff resume` speaks for itself. He's a top knotch pitcher (think World Series MVP With Arizona).
He'll pitch game 4 in the next round (if all goes accordingly in this series). He's the pitcher I'd want on the mound when it counts, only because of his record.
Don't worry, there's Dice-K, Lester, Beckett and maybe Wakefield if that helps if Schilling faulters.
2007-10-05 10:50:53 · answer #2 · answered by David M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's the right call. Schilling is the Vet, you trust him more on the road. Dice is the Rook, you trust him more at home. They made the right call.
2007-10-05 10:34:47 · answer #3 · answered by Incognito 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i havent herd the "drama" about schill... and im a sox fan...
2007-10-05 10:34:26 · answer #4 · answered by redsox all the way! 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
TV hype and his pitching was not that good this year.
2007-10-05 10:55:55 · answer #5 · answered by Michael M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sh*tting my pants I'm so worked up, dude.
2007-10-05 10:33:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋