Here at Fire Brand, we’re starting to get into the swing of things. All this week you will see previews of every team in the division, otherwise known as my yearly “Know Thy Enemy” series. For the first time, I’m allowing others to infringe on my babies, so Zach and Mike will have three KtE’s for you. The Devil Rays, Orioles and Blue Jays will come your way this week, and I’ll report in with the Yankees on Thursday and then a look at the greatest baseball team in the universe on Friday. (That’s the Red Sox, for those who weren’t sure.)
Then starting next Monday (I can’t believe I’m saying this) … RED SOX BASEBALL STARTS.
Let me catch my breath for a second.
Okay, I’m cool. I’m just starting to get so excited I’m about to run out of work and jog down to Fenway Park just to see the stadium and imagine the sights, smells and sounds that will emanate starting April 10th..
Speaking of April 10th, the next day (April 11th) is to be Dice-K’s Fenway debut, second start of his MLB career, and his long-awaited showdown with Seattle Mariners leadoff hitter Ichiro Suzuki. I will be there! Expect pictures, lots of them, and video to boot.
Fire Brand will now have a post every weekend as well starting on Opening Day. You will be hearing from Fire Brand EVERY DAY with:
I’m not sure where Zach is today with his preview of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, but rest assured it will come at some point this week.
How about Josh Beckett last night, huh?
He said he’s slowed down his mechanics and no longer will try to blow his fastball past every hitter. These are words Red Sox fans want to hear from the 26-year-old, who was roughed up (5.01 ERA, 36 homers) in his first American League season.
“I’m just trying to relax and throw my pitches,” said Beckett. “I’m back to the way I used to throw. Last year, it was every pitch as hard as I could from the get-go. Now, I’m a lot slower, particularly on my windup.”
He has a 24/4 K/BB ratio and has struck 21 batters out in his last three starts. I’m really trying to temper my enthusiasm, but Beckett is just flat-out shining this year.
The results of the Jonathan Papelbon poll:
Jonathan Papelbon is the closer. Your thoughts?
* The right move, period.
47% of all votes
* I wish he was starting, but we needed him to close.
35% of all votes
* It’s a mistake, he should be starting.
18% of all votes
A lot of representation for each choice, but the overwhelming majority state it was the right move overall (the first two choices combined). I voted for the second choice, but I think I would amend it to the first one after hearing about how much Papelbon’s pitches tailed off in effectiveness the later he worked. I heard somewhere that by the third or fourth inning, his fastball was only in the 88 mph range. Here’s to another sub-1.00 ERA from Papelbon as closer, and as always, there’s a new poll!