(ITM note: this was drafted on a blackberry while stuck on a subway crowd of suburban pink hats who can't find their way to Fenway Park)...
I wonder if somewhere in the Sox dugout, Dice-k is secretly praying for a rough outing from Brad Penny tonight.
The Sox are clicking in a number of areas of late, and as a result, are winning a lot of games. Save of course for Dice-K. I understand the Dice man must agree to any demotion or movement, but tonight's start may be just as important to him as it is to Penny.
Penny is certainly in the know, he comprehends how important this start against the Marlins is in determining his 2009 future. One thing is for sure, he's not holding back. From a verbal assault on Joe Girardi's recent whining to blasting 98 mph fast balls by hitters,Penny has a veteran edge to him that I enjoy.
The Sox have been considering a 6 man rotation of late, something most of us here at ITM dislike, but ultimately Brad Penny's value over the next few weeks may make that decision for Theo and company.
In what is nothing more than a "what have you done for me lately" comment, something about me wants to keep Penny around...Dice-K can't seem to get out of his own way, and as good as Smoltz has looked in his rehab, he's still unproven in the bigs this year while being much more likely to suffer a setback or injury.
So as much as I've built up Penny's performance tonight in my head, I end this post having convinced myself that Dice-K's next start is of even greater importance, possibly the biggest of the year.
Now if only everyone on this train could finally learn Boston's subway system.....
2 comments:
Penny threw too many pitches early, but still had a very solid night on the mound. Tough to argue that he's not a much better pitcher than Daisuke right now.
I agree it's tough to argue Dice-K over Penny as of right now...however we all know the Red Sox are not a team focused on the right now but rather long term goals. Penny has done everything he can to make Theo's job both easier and more difficult at the same time.
He wasn't as dominate as the Yankee game, but he did manage to take a line drive shot off his chest like it didn't bother him at all. That's a man right there.
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