Red Sox could stumble when they get back to the USA
- From: Gnork <gnork@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:36:28 -0700 (PDT)
There are a lot of reasons why they could get off to a slow start this
year. But none of them make it a sure thing.
The main reason is the convoluted spring training brought about by the
promotionally motivated season opening 2 games in Japan. This totally
fouls the spring training routine in many ways:
1. There are off days and travel days which usually don't happen.
2. The official starts at a record early date.
3. The hype which will accompany the teams in Japan.
4. The total flip flop of the time and the body rhythms. (Cue Eric Van
for a detailed explanation).
5. Re the travel two halfway around the world trips in about a week.
6. Spring training already has been going less than ideally with
hitters not in a groove and pitchers not doing well either.
In the past teams that embark on these far less than fair early season
journeys seem to suffer some when they return home. I hope the Sox
trainers and medical staff have figured out protocols to minimize
these problems.
On another side of this trip I noticed that the Red Sox will be the
away team for both games. I had figured it would be one each, home and
away. But I guess Oakland that doesn't draw anywhere near as well as
Boston was willing to give up two home games in exchange for the money
they will make by going to Japan.
After playing regular season games on March 25 and 26 in Japan, they
fly back to the west coast and after a day off on the 27th go back to
playing exhibition games. Weird. They play on the 28th, 29th and 30th
in L.A. against the Dodgers. Then off again on the 31st, then on April
1st the regular season restarts with 2 games in Oakland (1st & 2nd).
Then after yet another off day on the 3rd they go to Toronto to play
on the 4th thru the sixth. After the ubiquitous off day on Monday
April 7th, they finally open at home vrs the Tigers on the 8th.I know
they won't be flying coach on any of these trips, but that has to be a
bit grueling.
But they better be ready. Without any more days off they have 3 at
home with Detroit, 3 at home with the Yankees, 2 on the road in
Cleveland and 2 more on the road with the Yankees. So at the point
where they might be the tiredest they have 10 consecutive games
against what figure to be their 3 best opponents of 2008. load up on
melatonin, eat limes, take vitamins, do what the trainers say and be
ready to hit the ground running. I expect the Boston to Pawtucket
shuttle to be in frequent operation during this time. If they are at
least 9-8 after these first 17 games, I will be reasonably happy with
their performance.
.
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