Justin Masterson is a reliever.

Justin Masterson is dominant against right-handed hitters. But lefties reach base well over the league-average. Meaning that Masterson will have trouble until he can establish an "out-pitch" to retire them. Or develop his command more so, which is a possibility. Because currently, Masterson still catches too much of the inner half of the plate, at least against left-handers. And 2009 hasn't been any different either. A relatively small sample, but Masterson's .794 OPS against lefties just isn't going to cut it.

BOS 7, TAM 3: Bottom of the Sixth

Opposing teams must fear the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox.

5/8: Weekend Showdown

Tonight begins an important series in the budding rivalry between these two organizations. The Rays are threatening to take a serious mental edge over the Red Sox with a series victory. The Red Sox would love nothing more than a sweep to establish that the AL East still goes through Fenway Park. And so it begins.

Fire Brand on The Baseball Show tomorrow morning

Fire Brand's very own Tim Daloisio will be on The Baseball Show tomorrow morning. Tune your radios to WEEI or your tvs to CSNE (52, 852) tomorrow at 9:55 AM to see Fire Brand go mainstream.

Dom DiMaggio passes away at 92

It's a sad day in baseball. Longtime Red Sox centerfielder Dom DiMaggio has passed away. Former teammates with Ted Williams and younger brother of Joe, DiMaggio was only 5'9" (shades of Dustin Pedroia) and was called the Little Professor.

Dom had a 34-game hitting streak going once when Joe put an end to that in Dom's last at-bat during a Red Sox/Yankees game. Author David Halberstam called Dom "probably the most underrated player of his day." Dom was part of the subject of Halberstam's excellent Red Sox book, The Teammates.

BOS 13, CLE 3: Outburst

Rocco Baldelli singled home two runs in the bottom of the sixth for the Red Sox giving them a 4-2 lead. For Boston, it was all the run support they needed but it didn't stop there.

Should Jacoby Ellsbury be leading off?

Entering last night's game against the Indians, Jacoby is hitting .291/.323/.350 on the season. Now, the season is early but his numbers are eerily similar to last year's, when he hit .280/.323/.350.

He's been torrid on the basepaths and has 15 swiped bags on the season, but the .323 OBP is not worthy of being a leadoff man.

Should he be moved out?

Fireside Chats Breaking Report: Where we react to Manny’s suspension

When news breaks, you'll hear it here...a few hours later.

Paul and I react to the news of Manny Ramirez' positive test and 50 game suspension. What does this mean for the current Red Sox? Are 2004 and 2007 tainted in anyway? Has ESPN's "History Blown Away" headline taken it too far?

All that and more on a special edition of Fireside Chats on MVN!

Interested in voicing your reactions to Manny, his legacy in Boston, or the impact of this news on the organization past or present? Leave us a voice mail to be played on the air at 641-715-3900 ext. 57843 and we'll play it on next week's show.

And if anyone has a number for Jose Canseco, let him know we are interested in having him on the show.

5/7: Insert Manny joke here

Manny, Manny, Manny....Manny, Manny, Manny (throw in a "Paint" from Eckersly), Manny...Manny.........Manny

Willis, Bowden shine on mound

Dontrelle Willis resembled the pitcher who was the 2003 National League Rookie of the Year with Florida.

Michael Bowden resembled a pitcher who could be an American League Rookie of the Year.

Willis allowed two runs over 7 2/3 innings during a rehab start Wednesday for the Toledo Mud Hens against the Pawtucket Red Sox, who won 2-1, behind Bowden.