5/9: Southpaw Supremacy

Kid Kaz has owned the Red Sox at Fenway Park over the course of his career. Yet despite the 2.88 ERA and 72 strike outs in 68.2 innings pitched, Kazmir is still only a game above .500 against the Sox at Fenway (5-4). Truth be told, this hasn’t been the same Scott Kazmir that we’ve been used to seeing. He’s averaging a career low 7.6 K/9 and his average fastball velocity has dipped below 90 MPH for the first time in his career. Let’s hope Fenway Park doesn’t bring out the best in him. We know it does of his opponent.

Fire Brand talks to Michael Felger

Justin Masterson is a reliever.

Justin Masterson is dominant against right-handed hitters.
But lefties reach base well over the league-average. Meaning that Masterson will have trouble until he can establish an “out-pitch” to retire them. Or develop his command more so, which is a possibility. Because currently, Masterson still catches too much of the inner half of the plate, at least against left-handers.
And 2009 hasn’t been any different either. A relatively small sample, but Masterson’s .794 OPS against lefties just isn’t going to cut it.

BOS 7, TAM 3: Bottom of the Sixth

Opposing teams must fear the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox.