Day: March 3, 2009

 Brad Penny

Fireside Chats #36: Where we get the On the DL with Dan Levy while hoping JD Drew stays off it

You didn't really think that we were going to talk another hour of spring training baseball did you? We only spend 15 minutes on the spring before moving On the DL. Thats just about as much playing time as J.D. Drew before his first trip there himself. But seriously, Paul's a little worried about Drew and what that could mean for the team if he were to miss any extended time this season.

We're happy to have Dan Levy from one of the fastest growing sports podcasts on the web, the On the DL Podcast, as this week's guest. Dan's a Phillies fan and a baseball enthusiast. We cover topics from his recent guest, poker celebrity Annie Duke, to why the northeast pumps out the most passionate fans (it's the traffic stupid). And, oh yeah, we mix in a little baseball talk.

March 3, 2009 tim daloisio
Brad Penny

Does Drew/Penny concern you?

Anyone else concerned about J.D. Drew and Brad Penny?

I am. The setback with Penny isn't terribly bad because of the crazy depth the Sox have in pitching and the fact that the Sox have three days off in the first 15 games of the season. It's possible the Sox could go to a four-man rotation and not miss a beat.

Drew, though, I'm concerned about. The team and Drew keep brushing off the concerns, but not for nothing did he head back to Boston and get an injection. If he's out, that means there's a platoon situation with Rocco Baldelli and Brad Wilkerson with Jeff Bailey (probably) on the bench.

If both Drew and Penny are out, it could really weaken the team.

March 3, 2009 evan brunell
Jason Varitek

Poll: Better or Worse: Josh Beckett’s ERA in 2009

New Poll Question: Better or Worse: Josh Beckett's ERA in 2009?

Josh Beckett pitched better than his 4.03 ERA might suggest in 2008, so it's safe to assume he'll better that total in 2009. The question is, "by how much?". How low can he go? How does 3.50 sound for a bar? Vote in the poll to the left and give your community projection for Beckett here.

Find out how you all responded to our previous poll, "Will Jason Varitek hit .240+ in 2009?" after the jump.

March 3, 2009 tim daloisio