Fireside Chats #60: Where we count chickens before they hatch all episode long and love it

The playoffs are right around the corner aren't they? Cause if they aren't then we might be a little bit ahead of ourselves. At least were not too conceded to think we still have a chance to catch the Yankees, even if my Daisuke-fueled bravado may have called the Red Sox the favorites to win the World Series. Ok...maybe we did include a "glimmer" of hope at the division still.

We talk rotation, Daisuke's return, Buchholz' emergence, the confidence in the offense and do some advanced scouting of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

All that and more on Episode #60 of Fireside Chats on MVN!

9/16: The Byrd flies with the Angels

GAME NOTES: Paul Byrd makes what could be his final start for the Red Sox, as Tim Wakefield is due back shortly. Byrd has been a nice arm for the Sox so far. Can he shut down that offense?

POLL: Playoffs No. 4 starter?

If the playoffs started now, who should be the Sox's No. 4 starter?

Q+A with prospect catcher Ryan Lavarnway

Ryan Lavarnway was previously interviewed on Fire Brand July 17, 2008. At that point, Lavarnway was rehabbing from a broken scaphoid bone in his left wrist after being drafted in the sixth round of 2008.

Lavarnway has gone on to be a major contributor to Greenville's playoff push, as the Drive are currently in the championship series. With 21 home runs, Lavarnway has had an extremely impressive season for a 22-year old catcher: .285/.367/.540. There is some thought that Lavarnway could be the Red Sox's first homegrown full-time catcher since... forever. Ryan was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule and answer some questions...

BOS 4, LAA 1: Dice is Nice

In his first game back since June 19, Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched a surprisingly decent an unagitating outing, as the Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California of the United States of North America, 4-1. The multi-million dollar man notched over six shutout innings, giving up only three hits. Unfortunately, he walked just as many batters, but the five strikeouts on 93 pitches were certainly a step in the right direction.