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September 15, 2007

Keep An Eye On Beckett Today

Via Mark Feinsand -

The Yankees and Red Sox were not given official warnings about potential beanballs before the start of their series last night at Fenway, but both teams were given what one baseball official called a "heads-up" to behave over the weekend.

Joba Chamberlain was suspended two games and fined $1,000 for throwing two pitches over Kevin Youkilis' head on Aug. 30. The rookie professed his innocence, but the Red Sox didn't buy his story, especially considering that he's put almost every pitch he's thrown in the majors exactly where he's wanted. Before last night's game, everyone on both sides was saying all the right things. Publicly, at least.

Several Yankees said they didn't believe there would be any trouble this weekend. "Unless they want to get some of their guys suspended," Johnny Damon said.

Asked if he thought the Red Sox might retaliate, Joe Torre said, "I can't say I anticipate it. That doesn't mean it won't happen. Is it necessary? In my mind, no, but that doesn't mean anything."

Josh Beckett has faced 745 batters so far this season and only hit 4 of them with a pitch. If Beckett hits a Yankee in this game today, I would expect the umpire to throw him out as quickly as Joba was in New York. No warning. Just the thumb. It's something to watch for today.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at September 15, 2007 08:31 AM

Comments

Mike Puma wrote in the NY Post that reliever Kyle Snyder said,

"This game hasn't changed in a hundred-plus years and it's no secret that everybody on this team looks to protect everyone else," Snyder said before the Yankees and Red Sox opened a three-game series. "If need be from either organization, I think [retaliation] is going to take place."

Posted by: redbug [TypeKey Profile Page] at September 15, 2007 11:22 AM

"If Beckett hits a Yankee in this game today, I would expect the umpire to throw him out as quickly as Joba was in New York."

They might yank him even quicker than Joba. Joba threw back to back pitches at a batter. My guess would be that Beckett gets one.

Posted by: Andrew [TypeKey Profile Page] at September 15, 2007 12:29 PM