Wakefield Flirts With No-hitter: Proof that Boston is Going Downhill

Bob on 04 16, 2009

Tim Wakefield flirting with a no-hitter and tossing a complete game is similar to Yankees 1st baseman Nick Swisher throwing a scoreless inning the other night; surprising and impressive, yet depressing at the same time.

In the company of aces like Daisuke Matsuzaka, Josh Beckett and Jon Lester in the bullpen, you wouldn’t expect Tim Wakefield to be the most productive pitcher so far. Behind his knuckleball that a little leaguer could hit, Wakefield boasts the best ERA(3.00) and is tied with Beckett for the best record at 1-1 (Brad Penny is 1-0, but it’s only fair to see what he does in his 2nd game).

It’s pretty distressing when 42 year old Tim Wakefield is pitching the best of the Sox bullpen. At 2-6, the BoSox needed someone to step up, and Wakefield was surprisingly that guy. He took a no-hitter into the 8th while pitching a complete game, as the Sox went on to beat the A’s, 8-2. Timmy stepped up last night, but I wouldn’t expect that to happen again. Consider it a miracle, because it was pretty damn close.

This season has definitely not started the way Red Sox fans and players expected. At 3-6, Boston really needs to pick it up or they are going to be in for a long season. This could turn out to be a very interesting season…when Daisuke is getting rocked and Wakefield is tossing complete games, you never know what might happen.

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  • Colin
    A. Whats wiith the outline format.
    B. Bob id like to see you hit wakefields one pitch.
    1. JOKE.
    C. They are a week and a half into the season! only 9 games out of 162 plenty of time to turn it around.
    D. Do u think the angels, rays, mets, etc., expected to start the season this poorly? Did you expect the marlins , or mariners to get off to such a hot start?
    E. "Flirting" with a no hitter and actually getting one is like being only a triple away from the cycle. Still far from it.
  • You Know Who
    B. I'm certainly not disputing the fact that Red Sox fans are disappointed in the start to 2009. But if you follow the Sox, you know that they annually struggle during West Coast road trips, regardless of the opponent. Also they have played 3 of the better teams that they AL has to offer thus far, I said going into the season that if the Sox are even slightly above .500 after month #1, I'd be happy.

    Wakefield's age is irrelavant given the type of pitcher he is. He could pitch for another 5-6 years if he wants. You should hardly consider it anything less than a decent possibility that it happens again given his track record on the subject.
  • Bob
    A. You know what I mean.
    B. 'This season has definitely not started the way Red Sox fans and players expected. At 3-6, Boston really needs to pick it up or they are going to be in for a long season.'

    No, I don't expect it to happen again. Wakefield is 42 and has one pitch.
  • You Know Who
    Hmm.

    A. Dice, Beckett and Lester are not in the bullpen, neither is Wakefield.
    B. The Sox are 3-6 after the win yesterday afternoon, not 2-6.
    C. It's hard to base your opinion that Wakefield has been the Sox's best pitcher when each starter has pitched two or fewer games, obviously Wake's performance yesterday is going to make his overall stats this year appear more impressive than they are. Realistically Beckett has been the best pitcher on that staff.
    D. Don't expect it to happen again? Wakefield has flirted with no-hitters throughout his 17 year career. I believe he is 3rd amongst active pitchers with 4 no-hitters through 7 innings. He took a no-hitter into the 9th a few years back.

    Other than that, yes...the Sox are depressing thus far with only 2 hitters with batting averages above .300 and a leadoff hitter with a BA under .200 and an OBP around .250. Our top two SS's are injured, and Ortiz and Lowell are clearly not back to normal.

    They'll get it together, don't get me wrong...but it's starting to get scary.

    (9 game home-stand coming up, tough to beat Boston in the Fen)
  • Eric
    stupid title
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