Comments on: April Battle for the AL East http://herraysbaseball.com/2008/04/april-battle-for-the-al-east/ A Tampa Bay Rays Blog From The Other Half Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:12:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jessica http://herraysbaseball.com/2008/04/april-battle-for-the-al-east/comment-page-1/#comment-99 Jessica Thu, 01 May 2008 16:15:19 +0000 http://herraysbaseball.com/2008/04/april-battle-for-the-al-east/#comment-99 Well the Blue Jays fielding percentage is on par with the Rays and Orioles, but they have the most errors in the AL East and their defensive efficiency is just a shade higher than the Yankees. I mostly got that from grumbling Blue Jay bloggers though! www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL_2008.shtml As for Matsuzaka you're right I did undervalue him. He is pitching much better than last year. Last year he seemed to vulnerable come the fifth or sixth inning, not the case anymore. As another rabid Rays fan I hate to admit it but I think Boston is one of the most well rounded teams in baseball, and that blows. Well the Blue Jays fielding percentage is on par with the Rays and Orioles, but they have the most errors in the AL East and their defensive efficiency is just a shade higher than the Yankees. I mostly got that from grumbling Blue Jay bloggers though!

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL_2008.shtml

As for Matsuzaka you’re right I did undervalue him. He is pitching much better than last year. Last year he seemed to vulnerable come the fifth or sixth inning, not the case anymore.

As another rabid Rays fan I hate to admit it but I think Boston is one of the most well rounded teams in baseball, and that blows.

]]> By: Bob R. http://herraysbaseball.com/2008/04/april-battle-for-the-al-east/comment-page-1/#comment-98 Bob R. Thu, 01 May 2008 15:36:26 +0000 http://herraysbaseball.com/2008/04/april-battle-for-the-al-east/#comment-98 I haven't looked at their numbers, but the Blue Jays are supposed to have the best defense in the division. Do you have some information to counter that evaluation? I also think you undervalue Matsuzaka. He had a terrific year in 2007 even if it was superficially less than expected, and he is pitching even better this year. Teams do not need two aces, but the Beckett/Matsuzaka one-two punch is among the best in the majors. As for the rest of the Boston rotation, it is probably as good or better than any other in the division save Toronto. It is certainly superior to NY and Baltimore, and I think that Wakefield, Buchholz & Lester are comparable to or better than Garza, Sonnanstine and Jackson (or Hammel). Like the Rays' pitchers, the Red Sox trio has weaknesses and inconsistency but also promise and probably a bit more history of success. I say that as a rabid Rays' fan, by the way. I haven’t looked at their numbers, but the Blue Jays are supposed to have the best defense in the division. Do you have some information to counter that evaluation?

I also think you undervalue Matsuzaka. He had a terrific year in 2007 even if it was superficially less than expected, and he is pitching even better this year. Teams do not need two aces, but the Beckett/Matsuzaka one-two punch is among the best in the majors.

As for the rest of the Boston rotation, it is probably as good or better than any other in the division save Toronto. It is certainly superior to NY and Baltimore, and I think that Wakefield, Buchholz & Lester are comparable to or better than Garza, Sonnanstine and Jackson (or Hammel).

Like the Rays’ pitchers, the Red Sox trio has weaknesses and inconsistency but also promise and probably a bit more history of success.

I say that as a rabid Rays’ fan, by the way.

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