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.

Fenway Guide TRIVIA: Sox and Yankees 70 HR

Who was the only player to hit at least 70 home runs for the Red Sox and 70 home runs for the Yankees?

Could Sox get Angel Salome for Penny?

Brad Penny is steadying himself in the back end of the rotation after a tough start to the year. His ERA may be an unsightly 5.96, but he's providing quality starts and keeping the team in the game.

However, with John Smoltz needing to be activated by June 19, a decision looms. It's clear that Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka are more long-term options in the rotation than Penny. It's also clear that the Sox won't force Tim Wakefield out of the rotation in favor of Penny.

It boils down to two choices: does Penny go to the bullpen or is he moved to another team?

What the Sox can get is a solid prospect who could develop into a starter for the club.

A name came across my radar the other day that I think makes a lot of sense for both teams.

Fireside Chats #47: Where narrowly avoid complete technical meltdown

We called for David Ortiz' demotion to the six hole and Tito responded in kind. What should we call for next? Clay Buchholz' promotion to the big club? or his trade for a big bat? Cease and desist orders on all "what's up with Papelbon" talk? or do we dare use our powers to find a way to send Julio Lugo out of town?

All that and more on Episode #47 of Fireside Chats on MVN!

MIN 5, BOS 2: Lester loses it in fifth

Jon Lester has a case of the Dice-K syndrome.

5/26: Papi dropped, will he respond?

Let's see how David Ortiz and the rest of the offense responds to the lineup changes tonight.

David Ortiz dropped to 6th in the lineup

The lineups are out for tonight's game against the Minnesota Twins and David Ortiz has been dropped to 6th in the batting order. Mike Lowell will be getting the night off. Here's the lineup as tweeted by Amalie Benjamin.

1. Ellsbury
2. Pedroia
3. Drew
4. Youkilis
5. Bay
6. Ortiz
7. Varitek
8. Bailey
9. Lugo

Calling for Clay

Upon hearing of the feats of Clay Buchholz last night in Louisville for the Pawtucket Red Sox, I tweeted my gut reaction as follows: "Clay Buchholz just made his statement. It is time for the Red Sox to proverbially "sh!t or get off the pot".

For Red Sox fans under a rock, Clay Buchholz followed up his dominant Spring Training by cruising through AAA hitters, culminating in last night's near perfect game. Buchholz retired the first 24 hitters before a leadoff single in the 9th inning derailed his effort. To date, Buchholz is 3-0 in the minors this season with a 1.30 ERA and 49 strike outs vs. only 12 walks in 48.1 innings pitched.

What to do with Clay Buchholz?

After another solid, but hardly perfect, start from Brad Penny yesterday I have to wonder again what to do with…

BOS 6, MIN 5: Bang for the buck

Buy low, sell high. Brad Penny continues to fulfill, quite possibly, the oldest investment cliche ever.