[英文] ALDS 賽前分析

[pago (Red Sox Rules!!!)]

From MLB.COM

CATCHER  EDGE: RED SOX
A.J. Pierzynski has been considered an offense-first catcher for some time.
But unlike his reputation at his last stop, San Francisco, he has worked very
effectively with the White Sox staff. He remains a productive hitter for his
position, and was even pressed into the No. 3 spot in the order in some
late-season games. Only the third team captain in Boston history, the first
in 16 years, Jason Varitek is an island of sobriety in a sea of eccentrics.
He commands respect in the clubhouse and on the field. He doesn't call a game
as much as orchestrate it. Offensively, put up his typical cookie-cutter
season.

FIRST BASE  EDGE: WHITE SOX
Paul Konerko became the second White Sox player to hit 40 home runs in
back-to-back seasons, the other being Frank Thomas. And Konerko is an
intangibles guy, a source of clubhouse stability in a roller-coaster second
half. John Olerud jumped into the AL East frying pan out of "retirement" for
the second straight year, this time on the Boston side. He was born to hit
line drives and carries a smooth glove. Since joining the Sox at the end of
May, has played 75 games to incumbent Kevin Millar's 62.

SECOND BASE  EDGE: WHITE SOX
Tadahito Iguchi quietly became a steadying influence on the Sox defense, as
well as being a valuable No. 2 hitter. Acquired from Kansas City in an
emergency a day after Mark Bellhorn went out with a sprained thumb, Tony
Graffanino quickly blew away the Red Sox with his skills set. He has less
power than the man he replaced, but also a smaller hole with his bat. He has
been deadly in the clutch. Iguchi's game has more dimensions.

THIRD BASE  EDGE: EVEN
For most of his career, Joe Crede had been better defensively than
offensively, but this season he delivered some very crucial hits. He's an
improved player, part of the improved White Sox defense. Bill Mueller has
survived well on a twice-operated right knee, but the switch-hitter has lost
most of his power from the right side. He is lightning quick at the hot
corner but doesn't have much range to his left, making the gap between him
and Edgar Renteria a little too inviting for batters.

SHORTSTOP  EDGE: RED SOX
Juan Uribe turned out to be another defensive upgrade for the White Sox.
They had been shaky at short for some time, but Uribe has helped to solidify
the defense at this crucial position, and like almost everybody else on this
team, has enough pop to worry the opposition. After a slow start, Edgar
Renteria has given the Red Sox exactly what they expected with the bat. But
his defense has been a shocking disappointment. Not only does he have more
errors than the last two seasons combined, but he has not exhibited the kind
of range that he has demonstrated throughout his career. Still, in this
setting, he's been a big-time player for a long time.

LEFT FIELD  EDGE: RED SOX
Scott Podsednik was the missing link for the White Sox as they changed to an
offense that had the potential to manufacture runs. His speed at the top of
the lineup gave the White Sox the element they needed to kick-start their
offense. The Manny Ramirez package never changes. You get thunder at the
plate, adventure on the bases, occasional amusement in the field. Despite a
reputation as a defensive misfit, he was the AL's runaway leader in outfield
assists, but that's owed at least in part to left field's close quarters at
Fenway Park.




CENTER FIELD  EDGE: RED SOX
Aaron Rowand is another White Sox player who has grown into his job. He's
had some dazzling defensive stretches this season, particularly against the
Yankees in New York. And although this was not his best offensive season, he
gives the Sox another hitter who can produce in the bottom half of the
lineup. At times, it has been painful to watch Johnny Damon persevere with a
seriously damaged left shoulder, which he has carried since early June. At
bat, however, he continues to inflict pain. He's done an even better job of
setting the table than last year, though his run production is understandably
off. His arm was never a particular strength, but he can still cover ground.

RIGHT FIELD  EDGE: WHITE SOX
Jermaine Dye has been a major factor in the White Sox success this season.
He is still a quality run producer. He is another positive factor in the
clubhouse, a steadying influence, a pro who has been down this road before.
After missing much of last season's fun, Trot Nixon has been along for the
full ride. Although his bat is only a splinter of its former self, he is a
cold-blooded guy who is very dangerous in the clutch. It's difficult to take
the extra base on plays in front of him.

DESIGNATED HITTER  EDGE: RED SOX
Carl Everett was a solid run producer over most of the season, one of the
reasons that this club could withstand the loss of Frank Thomas. But late in
the year, at the very time the Sox were scuffling, he went into a pronounced
slump. And then, when he was dropped from his usual third spot in the lineup
to sixth, he went public with his displeasure. It was an ugly, but not
atypical, episode. He may be "only" a DH, but David Ortiz might be the best
DH the game has ever seen. For the fourth straight season, he has improved
his numbers across the board. Reggie can keep Mr. October but, one more
postseason like the last one and Big Papi becomes Sir October.

BULLPEN  EDGE: WHITE SOX
The relief corps has been a major strength of the White Sox run to a
division title. Dustin Hermanson took over the closer's role, which was
unsettled coming into the season, and was terrific until he was slowed by
back problems. Setup men Neal Cotts from the left side and right-hander Cliff
Politte had superb seasons as well. Lefty Damaso Marte had a few hiccups late
in the season, but generally also performed well. The closer's role went late
in the season to Bobby Jenks, a massive rookie with a fastball that can touch
three figures. He was not infallible, but he was on the mound when the Sox
clinched the division and that says something. If Terry Francona managed in
roller skates, he'd considerably cut down on the time of games. He's been in
matchup heaven since an influx of midseason changes redid his pen. Mike
Timlin has done solid work inheriting closing duties, and Jonathan Papelbon
is secure as the eighth-inning guy. Otherwise, it's the left-right shuttle
with Mike Myers, Chad Bradford, Lenny DiNardo and Jeremi Gonzalez.

BENCH  EDGE: WHITE SOX
The Sox have some serviceable Major Leaguers to pick from, including Timo
Perez, Geoff Blum, Ross Gload, Willie Harris and Pablo Ozuna, most of whom
had stretches of regular work due to injuries among starters and all of whom
helped the cause. Except for Kevin Millar, who invariably ends up with an
integral role even when Olerud starts, for the Red Sox this is strictly a
"break glass in case of emergency" group. Catcher Doug Mirabelli sits in Tim
Wakefield's caddy bag, outfielder Adam Stern is a late-game defensive sub and
infielder Alex Cora is a veteran who can provide defensive help. As for
helping in a pinch, Jay Payton still leads with three pinch-hits, and he's
been in Oakland since July.

MANAGER  EDGE: EVEN
Ozzie Guillen is probably the leading candidate for AL manager of the year,
and why not? He infuses his team with nonstop enthusiasm. He is
unconventional. He is candid, probably to a fault. He has offended more than
a few people with more than a few comments. But it is hard to argue how far
the Sox have come under his leadership. He has a vision of what kind of
ballclub he wants and he works on getting from here to there every day. Terry
Francona is a big risk taker, and as long as he has the right personnel and
uses them in the right spots, he'll keep landing on his feet. He is willing
to roll the dice, taking a counter-character approach if the situation
warrants. Just think of that legendary Dave Roberts steal in Game 4 of last
year's ALCS. How many managers would have risked losing an elimination game
on that play? Guillen is this year's probable AL manager of the year.
Francona won a World Series with the Red Sox. The competition is too keen to
award an advantage.

INTANGIBLES  EDGE: RED SOX
The White Sox were the darlings of the first half. Then, when their 15-game
lead shrunk to almost nothing, their critics were calling them "chokers." But
they are probably better off for having had some adversity and then
succeeding, rather than coasting home with a huge lead. What you can't know
about the White Sox is how many of their postseason first-timers will react
under this pressure. The Red Sox will never give in to circumstances. They're
immune to pressure or bad breaks. Of course, they learned that by fire,
coming back last October from the direst situation possible. So you can never
count them out. In something as emotion-driven as the playoffs, that's a huge
asset.

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the
approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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推 wtsph:Short Stop? XD
推 damper:  MANAGER? XD
推 pago:對方的SS更鳥XD     我一直找不到季候賽名單  有人找到了嗎
推 IronChef:Aaron Rowand is an excellent all around CF
推 toddyeh:我看洋基對白襪的比賽...Rowand的防守強到靠盃...請原諒我
→ toddyeh:用這麼難聽的字眼...因為根本就沒有球可以over他頭上
推 James73:我到覺得 輸最多的部份是投手 其他都還好
推 muska:上次我有幸(?)看到一球他判斷錯誤然後 over   ^O^
推 ckhou:沒想到憂銳臂居然比租更鳥?!....Orz
推 James73:Renteria今天好歹也打了.276  至少不算差
→ James73:當然比起他該有的是差了點沒錯
推 MazdaRx7:主要是守備阿 我們要的是他的"金手套"哩,
推 pago:他的守備跟攻擊能力都比往年差   還領了年薪千萬美元 =.=
推 Carmelo3:Uribe跟Rent比大概只有砲管比較大支的優點吧
推 IronChef:Btw, if they start Kevin Millar against a RHP
推 twwang:推Sir October :)