Tuesday Links

Photo by Kelly O’Connor of sittingstill.smugmug.com

After wrapping up a series win in Texas on Sunday, the Red Sox enjoyed their third day off in the last 10 days. On the final leg of their road trip, the Red Sox head to Minnesota to face the Twins for a 3 games series. Boston will send Felix Doubront to the mound on Tuesday and hope the lefty can find a groove. 2014 has been a hit and miss year for Doubront who enters Tuesday’s start with a 5.09 ERA in 35 innings pitched. The Twins will counter with Ricky Nolasco who hasn’t exactly warranted the 4 year, $49M contract that he signed during the offseason. In 7 starts the right hander holds an ERA close to 6 and a WHIP of 1.55.

• Shane Victorino’s return hasn’t just helped solidify the Red Sox batting order and defense, it’s also had residual effects on the line up. Now with a fully healthy starting 9 the Red Sox order has seen more pitches, which has forced the opposing pitcher to empty his arsenal. (Victorino’s return helps solidify Boston’s lineup)

• After a rocky start to the season, the Red Sox have finally begun to look like a World Series defending team. Winning  6 of their last 10, the Red Sox have featured strong starting pitching, excellent relief performances, and– get this– timely hits. (Figuring out where the Sox stand)

• With Jon Lester’s impending free agency, the Red Sox are forced to decide whether or not they want to invest big money in their home grown product. When making this decision, it’s important for the Sox to remember how long it took Lester to develop into one of the leagues best southpaws, and determine if they’re willing to wait that long when developing another young arm. (A reminder courtesy Jon Lester)

• What would have happened if the Red Sox elected to resign Adrian Beltre in 2011 instead of trading for Adrian Gonzalez? Would they still have Will Middlebrooks? How would Anthony Rizzo play out in Boston? Would the Red Sox have won the 2013 World Series? While we’ll never know the answers to these questions, rewriting history is always fun to do. (Revised History: The Red Sox re-sign Adrian Beltre)

• Lost in the hype of Mookie Betts, Henry Owens, and other Red Sox prospects is first baseman Travis Shaw. Standing at 6’4, 225 pounds, Shaw generates good power to all fields and features a solid glove at first base. Without a stand out prospect at first, could Shaw be the Boston’s future at the position? (Powerful Shaw has the makings of a complete hitter)

• Tweet of the day: If you’re a real baseball fan, you’ll donate an elbow. What non-athlete needs two elbows for anyway?