July 4, 2009

SEA 7, BOS 6: Comeback falls short

George Kottaras hit a solo home run to right field but it wasn't enough as Boston's second comeback of the night fell just short in a 7-6 loss to Seattle. Read article

11:38 PM

Dice K going down South to rehab.

"I think he needed a little bit of a break mentally, too," Francona said. "I think sometimes you just get fried. He worked hard while we were gone again without a baseball. Now, we'll get a ball back in his hands, but just to play catch. As he gets stronger, that will certainly increase." Read article

July 3, 2009

7/3: Wake's All-Star Statement Game



Tim Wakefield has never been to an All-Game and this year may be his best and last chance. With a 10-3 record, the few blips that bounced his ERA above 4.00 can be ignored along the way, especially with a win in a head to head duel with 8-3 Felix Hernandez (2.54 ERA) tonight. Read article

July 3, 2009

Zach's 2009 AL All-Star Roster

Since the American League is once again wholly superior (seriously, one could make the argument that any of the top four teams in the East could win four out of the other five divisions, the West being the exception with the Dodgers) and the league I know better than the back of my hand, here's my best shot at devising what should be true the 2009 AL All-Star Game Roster complete with nine starting position players, six starting pitchers, six closers and 13 reserves: Read article

12:10 PM

Poll: Hypothetically thinking ahead

New Poll Question:
Who is more important for the Red Sox to extend past their current contracts?
  • Jason Bay
  • Josh Beckett
It's very likely that both JB's could end up staying in Boston past their current contracts, but if you were held feet to the fire and forced to choose just one right now, who would it be?

As always, new poll is up to the right...vote away and argue it out in the comments.
Read article

July 2, 2009

BOS 6, BAL 5: Flip side

Boston's bullpen had something to prove. Read article

July 1, 2009

7/1: How to handle a loss like last night.



Think positive. For it is one loss, not ten. I always understand that things like this happen. I mean, if there wasn't a rain delay, the game probably would have ended in our favor anyway. And even with the delay, the best bullpen in baseball would normally have held onto a 4-1 lead. So a 10-1 lead was an eternity away for Orioles hitters.
Read article

July 1, 2009

Another take on Lowell + options

Last year, the Red Sox lost Mike Lowell's services down the stretch and into the postseason due to a painful hip injury that zapped the third baseman's power and discarded his defensive mobility. With Lowell on the pine, the Red Sox were forced to play Kevin Youkilis at third base and Mark Kotsay every day at first base, where the longtime outfielder hit .226/.286/.345 in 84 second-half AB's for Boston and compiled just a .233 average in 30 AB in the ALCS against Tampa Bay. Read article

July 1, 2009

BAL 11, BOS 10: Shocked

Even the best bullpen in baseball can have off days. This was just of the extreme variety. Read article

June 30, 2009

Fireside Chats #51: Where we try and find holes in this team and fail

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You know things are going well when your starting third baseman hits the DL and you're really not all that worried about your team's future.  We've almost come to expect another series win and another 2 out of 3 taken from the opponent.  Paul and I do break down some of the options in front of the Red Sox as the trade deadline approaches and sing the praises of the starting rotation.

This weeks' "Tweet of the Week" from our Red Sox Twitter Tracker:




from @kentremendous

All that and more on Episode #51 of Fireside Chats on MVN!

Read article

June 30, 2009

6/30: Smoltz takes the hill for the second time this season.

3:14 PM

Twitter Alert: Lowell to the DL?

My article from this morning may have just taken on a little extra context as it appears Mike Lowell is headed to the DL after a setback with his right hip.

@amaliebenjamin with the scoop

Read article

June 30, 2009

Keeping up with the corners

MLB: APR 10 Red Sox at AngelsWith Mike Lowell's recent injury concerns creeping back into the active conscious of Red Sox Nation, depth at the corners and in the middle of the lineup has suddenly been thrust to the forefront of the early pre-trade deadline chatter.

Much of the Red Sox trade innuendo to this point has surrounded the potential acquisition of a shortstop or catcher, positions without organizational depth or strength. But with Jason Varitek and George Kottaras holding down the fort behind the plate with acceptable production and Nick Green earning the job at short with Jed Lowrie waiting in the wings (and Julio Lugo being Julio Lugo), those positions may not be the most critical to address as July rolls in. Read article

June 29, 2009

BOS 4, BAL 0: Reverse, reverse

One day after being dominated by Tommy Hanson, Jon Lester and the Boston Red Sox turned the table on the Baltimore Orioles. Read article

June 29, 2009

6/29: Lester looks to add another strong performance.