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.

Fireside Chats #44: Where we are sitting on the dock of the Bay

Paul and I recap an eventful week from being owned in Tampa to rolling in NY while paying tribute to Jason Bay along the way. You can't miss Paul's "Joba rant" where he goes so far as to call Joba a douchebag (tough words Paul). From dropping Ortiz in the lineup to which pitchers are on the bubble as DiceK and Smoltz work their way back to Boston, we traverse more Red Sox topics than Carl Crawford can steal bases. All that and more on Episode #44 of Fireside Chats on MVN!

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?

Behind Jason Bay’s fast start

Jason Bay is currently experiencing the best year of his career so far.

It's only been 26 games with well over 100 to go, but Bay's hot start has been invaluable as David Ortiz works out of his devastating slump. On the year so far, Bay's hitting .321/.482/.619 with six home runs in 112 at-bats through Monday's game against the Yankees.

Is this sustainable? What is happening with Bay that is allowing him to get off to such a hot start? Should we take what we can get now, or can Bay keep this production up all year? Let's try to find out.

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.

5/5: Send them to .500

Jon Lester got down to business last night, now it's Josh Beckett's turn to show the Yankees that it sucks to draw the Red Sox #1/#2 punch in a two game series. A Red Sox win pushes the Yankees to .500. I like the sound of that.

Poll: Name those starters

Getting to know you: Ramon Ramirez

It's not often that an unheralded newcomer to an established bullpen establishes themselves in April as the go to guy that will bridge the most critical situations between the days starter and the designated closer.

With the perceived depth of the Red Sox bullpen coming into the season, it certainly wasn't expected that Ramon Ramirez, who entered the season behind Jonathan Papelbon, Takashi Saito, Hideki Okajima, and Manny Delcarmen in the bullpen rotation, would claim that mantle.