MVN: Most Valuable Network

Trade watch: Theo 'burning midnight oil'

All the recent trade rumors around the Sox have your head spinning? No worries. Evan summarizes everything you need to know leading up to the trade deadline and handicaps the Sox's chances.

BOS 15, KAN 9: Sox slug their way to win

Even though Boston got out to a 9-0 lead after four innings of play the Red Sox bullpen made it interesting.

BAL 11, BOS 10: Shocked

Even the best bullpen in baseball can have off days. This was just of the extreme variety.

MIN 4, BOS 2: Wild Thing

The Boston Red Sox did their best impression of Rick Vaughn in a 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

5/17: Evening, sirs

This is probably Masterson's final start before he goes back to the bullpen to make room for Daisuke Matsuzaka. Vargas will try to continue his hot streak, but isn't particularly any good.

BOS 5, SEA 3: Powered by Jason

No warning track power this time, Jason Bay wasn't going to be short changed.

Are the Sox starters as bad as they seem?

At what point can the Red Sox wait to address their AL-worst starting corps (or should I say corpse?), second-last in the bigs with a 5.81 ERA? Even the Yankees are faring better with a 5.64 ERA.

It's a testament to how good the offense and bullpen is that the Sox are hanging around first place. Once the starters start regressing to the norm, the club will be that much more stronger.

5/12: The Late Show

Have I mentioned how much I hate the west coast trip?

How much is a Penny worth?

While they haven't shown the "stuff" that was expected of them this season thus far, the Red Sox do have rotational depth. With Daisuke Matsuzaka on his way back to the big club and Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden in the minor leagues, decisions regarding the starting five and top alternates will soon be made.

As injuries throughout the infield (Pedroia, Youkilis, Lowrie) have started to take their toll on the Red Sox this season, the "surplus" in the starting rotation may soon be required to yield some reinforcements.

For Starters

"As a whole, and whole being defined 1-7, there isn't a better or deeper starting rotation in baseball. Even when confined to the five that will take the mound every five days, I would put these guys up against anyone and feel confident."

With Josh Beckett and Jon Lester off to slow and inconsistent starts and with Daisuke Matsuzaka's early trip to the DL with "post World Baseball Classic-itis", the Red Sox rotation hasn't lived up to those lofty expectations.

CLE 9, BOS 2: Joking aside

There was absolutely nothing to laugh about. Aaron Laffey was stellar out of the bullpen for the Cleveland Indians and any jokes made about Carl Pavano entering the contest were squashed, quickly.

5/6: Mastering Pavano

Justin Masterson has pitched impressively since joining the rotation. He has a 4.32 ERA starting which would be much lower had he not grooved a grand slam pitch to Evan Longoria. Pavano threw a gem against the Tigers, so may be coming around. Until he gets hurt.

TRIVIA: Unbeaten at home

Justin Masterson takes a 7-0 career home record to the hill tonight. Who was the previous Red Sox pitcher who began his major league career with a 7-0 or better record?

BOS 7, NYY 3: Message sent

Fine Jason Bay, next time I WILL pick you for the Star of the Game. I got the message. The New York Yankees, however, haven't.

Poll: Name those starters