BOS 2, BAL 1: In command

As Jon Lester’s frustrations lifted,striking out nine Orioles over seven innings pitched to earn his first victory of the season, Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz’ frustrations continue to mount.

4/19: One away from .500

It’s been nice facing the Orioles, hasn’t it? We’ve taken the first two, can Jon Lester turn it around and help us take the first three?

Buchholz dishes on injury to Fire Brand; PawSox pitching on fire

For a promising young pitcher who last season pitched himself from Boston to Double-A Portland, the last thing Clay Buchholz needs at this stage – or any stage, for that matter – of the season is an injury.

But that’s exactly what happened in the most innocuous of circumstances.

Just How High is Tazawa’s Ceiling?

When trying to rank a prospect, there are three main things to look at: present talent, ceiling, tools/stuff. I ranked Tazawa 7th on my list this off-season, mainly citing his present talent as ahead of the pack and his ceiling as his downfall. I bet if you asked a dozen people who follow the minor leagues on what they think his ceiling is as a pitcher, you’ll get anywhere from a number two starter to a nice piece out of the bullpen. Technically speaking, he’s in the wrong organization to be a number two starter, since the Red Sox already have the top three in their rotation set. With that said, let’s take a look at what Junichi has going for him to potentially become an above-average starter and what makes the cynics morose of him.

He has three above average off-speed offerings, as well as plus control and command of the strike zone. There are certainly pitchers in the major leagues that get by without a plus fastball, so it’s not as if that’s entirely holding him back from top of the rotation material.

BOS 6, BAL 4: Three and counting

Kevin Youkilis launched a three-run homer over the Green Monster giving Boston a 4-0 lead in the third inning. Then, Mike Lowell singled to center making it a five run gap. And for the first time this season the Red Sox finally held onto an early lead.