Fireside Chats #58: Where we prepare for a statement series in Tampa Bay

The Red Sox have put a nice run together and now stare down a series that we all circled as an important one back in April. They have the rare opportunity in sports to go for the kill. The question before us however, is do they have the killer instinct?

All that and more on Episode #57 of Fireside Chats on MVN!

Poll: Which arm will have the greatest impact on September?

Dice-K rolling anything but snake eyes

Daisuke Matsuzaka had a tough go of it in Double-A yesterday (Sunday), throwing two innings and giving up five runs on four hits. He walked three and struck out one. In other words, the same old Dice-K.

It would be nice to have Dice back for the stretch run -- this is no question -- but if the Sox can get into October, they may not need him. A three- and four-man rotation is usually all that is needed in October. Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Tim Wakefield and Paul Byrd, at this point, can help the Sox far more.

Update: Here's a link to photo's Tim took at the game in Manchester yesterday. From his view, Dice-K wasn't throwing his A stuff, almost as if he wasn't even trying the first time through the lineup.

Reddick reflects on time in bigs amid AAA struggles

In nine games with Boston, Reddick hit only .188 with one homer and two RBI. But Boston's 17th-round pick in the 2007 draft admittedly learned lessons that should hold him in good stead.

"The biggest thing I learned up there was, as a new guy, to keep my mouth shut and sit back and learn about how those guys carry themselves in the locker room and in the game," he said. "I want to build on that.

"When I got sent back down to Pawtucket, they always tell you not to get that big-league head syndrome. That's what I've been trying to work on. I don't think, in my opinion, I've been that type of guy because I've never been a guy to get a big head and get lazy on the field."

Manager Ron Johnson joined in:

"The ball jumps off his bat when he hits it in BP. When you take BP on a big league field and those guys hit the ball - Red hits the ball like that. Plus, he plays all three outfield positions. He's aggressive. It's going to be fun watching him develop."

Yankees do what they can to destroy Chris Carter

arThe Yankees claimed Chris Carter to tweak their cross-town rivals and intra-division rivals, directly benefiting from forcing the Sox to do a little 40-man roster manuevering in September. What I'm more miffed about is the Yankees effectively shuttering Chris Carter's career.

8/28: Beckett sqaures off against Richmond

WholesaleKeychain.com TRIVIA: 8 games, 8 days — ROUND TWO

No one has been able to get this question correct! Thus, I'm giving you guys another chance. The person who gets it right will get two points, not one. If no one can get it correct by next Wednesday, it will be my second "stumped Fire Brand" question. You don't want that... do you!?

Who was the first pitcher in major league history (hint: Red Sox player) to pitch eight games in eight days?

Q+A with ‘untouchable’ prospect Ryan Westmoreland

Ryan Westmoreland was drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 draft. He has been compared to Rocco Baldelli, given that both hail from Rhode Island. For Low-A Lowell, 'Westy' is hitting .298/.398/.491 with seven home runs, three triples and 15 doubles in 218 at-bats. He has 19 stolen bases and zero caught and is ranked the seventh best prospect in the organization by SoxProspects.com.

He got on the radar for casual Sox fans this year who heard that Westmoreland was deemed untouchable by the Red Sox during trade talks. Westmoreland first talked to Fire Brand exactly a year ago today. Let's check in...

8/27: Looking for the sweep

Brad Penny Released

The Red Sox released veteran starter Brad Penny late Wednesday night. While there may be some cheers in Red Sox Nation today, we can all collectively say good bye to that Boston rotation depth.

Another poor decision by the Red Sox front office. Let's just hope that Buchholz and Tazawa can pick up the slack.

Analysis inside...