POLL: Who’s going to step up?

Many people say the Sox have a deep, talented bench -- which player will stand out from the rest?

Fireside Chats #75: Where we don’t need no stinkin’ collapsed lung

Really, Jacoby Ellsbury's getting looked at for a potential collapsed lung? Mike Cameron's being evaluated for appendicitis? David Ortiz and JD Drew have struck out nearly half (26) of their 54 collective at bats? Let the calls for Jeremy Hermida's playing time begin now. And all in a world where Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek lead the team in home runs. Us "experts" got it all figured out don't we. Paul and I look forward to a critical home stand and the vaunted Tampa Bay Rays. I may be optimistic in expecting at least one home run from Papi while the team's at Fenway Park for the next ten games, Paul...not so much. Anyone else think Papi has a chance at going yard in April? All that and more on this episode of Fireside Chats.

4/15 Online Game Seats Thread: Rubber Match in Minnesota

After setting the Twins in their place yeterday, veteran Tim Wakefield takes the hill as the Boston Red Sox try to take the series rubber match.

Scutaro impressing with contact

I wanted to avoid writing about the pitching staff today, but the lack of strikeouts by our team is starting to get concerning. It's not just a few pitchers, it is all of them. Anyway one thing I found today that I thought shouldn't go unnoticed was Marco Scutaro's start and excellent approach at the plate. Before his at bat in the top of the eighth yesterday he had gone 24 at bats with a strike out. That is very good start although 7 games is nothing when you learn that the record is 84 posted by Ted Williams in 1949. Last year Scutaro had two streaks longer as well. He had one streak of eight games and another of nine.

4/14 Online Seats Game Thread: Sox Slide Continues

Now that the Twins have had their home opener celebration, the Boston Red Sox look to rain on the parade in Minnesota.

Lester’s Early Struggles

For the second straight start this year, Jon Lester has looked quite unlike the pitcher we've come to rely on over the past two seasons. As Troy pointed out in yesterday's quick post, Lester's control has been fairly poor to this point, though his velocity has been essentially what we expected. It's concerning, to be sure, but it's also not very far out of line with what we've seen from Lester in the past, and it's worth taking a look at Lester's previous Aprils and Mays to get a sense of whether this is a trend or an outlier.

First, though, a quick aside. I was in the stands for Lester's no-hitter in May of 2008, and what's interesting about that start is less the run of dominance he began afterward, and more the shakiness he'd experienced before it. At the time, Lester was not an ace - he was a feel-good story of a prospect, coming off cancer and a win in the deciding game of 2004. So when he began mowing them down the night of May 19, the feeling was more one of a young pitcher finally finding his stride than a pitcher settling into a season. In April of 2008, Lester posted an opponent's line of .260/.361/.425 and a K/BB ratio of a mere 0.96; he would finish that season at a much more impressive .256/.320/.368 with a K/BB of 2.30 - over twice as strong as in April. He also began going deeper into games, striking out more batters, and keeping the ball in the park at a better rate. What's especially interesting here is that the rest of his components - everything from BABIP to LD/GB/FB percentages - remained the same, with only his walk rate and the actual batting results really experiencing any kind of change.

Boof Bonser coughs up nine runs in two innings in second rehab start

Boof Bonser is on Boston’s disabled list because of a right groin strain.

After his second rehabilitation start Tuesday for Triple-A Pawtucket, Bonser’s more concerned about his surgically-repaired right shoulder.

Bonser gave up nine earned runs in two innings against Lehigh Valley in an International League game won 12-0 by the IronPigs.

Lester’s control issues continue

So far this young season Jon Lester has walked six batters in only 10 IP. While an extremely small sample it's a bit concerning. So far his fastball has been poor according to Fangraphs pitch values with a -2.19 runs per 100 pitches. One change I see right now is a sinker being classified by Pitch F/x, but that could easily be a slight change from his two-seam fastball. The one pitch I do see missing is his slider, which was up to 10 percent of his pitches last year. This year though he has yet to throw one according to Pitch F/x.

4/12 Online Seats Game Thread: Red Sox Open Outdoors in Minnesota

The Boston Red Sox hope to sour the Twins' home opener celebration, as Jon Lester looks to right his opening week wrongs.

The Days Turn Into Night, Or Do They?

For those Fenway Faithful who have committed themselves to watching every pitch of the 2010 season thus far, you have endured exactly 1,196 minutes of baseball – 19.9333 hours. Mazel Tov. Long games have certainly become a trend in MLB, a phenomenon that is being discussed across the board. Just last night, Orel Hershiser and Joe Morgan were posturing possible reasons for the seemingly exponential delay of pace this year. But is the trend all that new? The real question isn't which rope to hang ourselves with, especially compare it when you compare it to ghosts of opening week's past.