9/23: Beckett + KC lineup = Bloodbath

GAME NOTES: Josh Beckett looks to grab his 16th win and continue his exit from the doldrums. Boston will face Luke Hochevar, who recently learned that he was tipping his pitches and thinks it's part of his struggles since entering the majors. He shut out the White Sox his last turn out, so maybe there's something to his claims. We'll see. All I know is that it took outsiders to let Hochevar know he's been doing it for years. Ah, the Royals...

POLL: 3rd catcher in playoffs?

New Poll Question: Should the Sox carry a third catcher in the postseason?

• Yes, at the expense of a 11th pitcher
• Yes, at the expense of a 5th OF
• Yes, at the expense of Kotchman
• No
  

Should Manny Delcarmen make the playoff roster?

Delcarmen looked to be an amazing relief pitcher prior to the All-Star game. He's been a completely different player since, and it's gotten to the point where there is a serious question towards if he should be pitching in October.

KC 5, BOS 1: Byrd Gets His Wings Clipped In First

A five run first inning by the Kansas City Royals did the Red Sox in last night, as the boys from Boston drop the second game of a four game series, 5-1.

Paul Byrd shook off the missteps of the first inning and went on to throw 6.2 innings, but the damage was already done, as Zack Greinke held off the Boston bats with another dominating performance.

Lester’s Case for the Cy Young

The Cy Young Award campaigns are getting real heated this time of year. The baseball media has zeroed in on four prime candidates: Zack Greinke, C.C. Sabathia, Justin Verlander, and Felix Hernadez.

Each of these pitchers has a great resume, but Jon Lester has had quite the season. Where does he stack up against the competition?

ERA

1) Zack Greinke - 2.14 - 1st in AL
2) Felix Hernandez - 2.45 - 2nd in AL
3) C.C. Sabathia - 3.31 - 6th in AL
4) Jon Lester - 3.33 - 7th in AL
5) Justin Verlander - 3.44 - 9th in AL

9/22: Byrd tries to defeat Greinke

GAME NOTES: The former Royal, Paul Byrd, will take on the likely Cy Young winner. Zach Grienke is basically the only good thing the Royals have going for them at the moment. x

Injuries, Blessings, and Manny Not Being Manny

A Pair of Injuries

On Monday, Junichi Tazawa was placed on the 60-day disabled list due to what has been described as a mild groin strain.

While the groin gives the Sox a formal reason to DL Tazawa, the pitcher had reportedly reached his innings limit, according to the Red Sox official web site. The move also helps make room for Chris Woodward.

The infielder will fill in for Nick Green, who is dealing with a back issue that has manifested as dead leg.

KC 12, BOS 9: Wakefield Gets Waterlogged

With a host of question marks looming over Tim Wakefield's much-anticipated return to the mound, it was the Red Sox bullpen that would leave everyone perplexed, as the Boston Red Sox drop the first game of a four game series to the Kansas City Royals, 12-9, in a come-from-behind win for KC.

At two different points in the game, the Red Sox led by six runs, on the heels of another Jason Bay home run (36 on the year) and a two-run RBI from Jacoby Ellsbury, who has been on fire as of late. Dustin Pedroia added an RBI of his own, before an untimely implosion of the bullpen, in a rain soaked game at Kaufman Stadium.

9/21: Timmeh returns

GAME NOTES: Tim Wakefield returns after having to skip a start due to his constant back pain. He will start only once every 10 days from hereon out. Mike Silver wondered earlier today if this is Wake's final season. Opposing Wake is Lenny DiNardo, a former Red Sox lefty.

Wholesale Keychain TRIVIA: Batting champion

Who was the first ever batting average champion to play for Boston?