Varitek and Delcarmen Down, Possible Trade Candidates

The injury carousel keeps turning – and, unfortunately, keeps landing on the Red Sox’ spot. While Jason Varitek was placed on the disabled list Thursday with a broken foot, Manny Delcarmen was also added on Friday with a strained right forearm. Reliever Robert Manuel was recalled to replace Delcarmen while catcher Kevin Cash was acquired from the Astros in return for infielder Angel Sanchez. Second baseman Niuman Romero was called up from Pawtucket to assume Sanchez’ vacated roster spot. With all the injuries and new names flying around, this seems like the perfect opportunity to stress the importance of offseason minor league acquisitions. While these replacement level signings are often glossed over in the newspapers and on the transactions lists, these players are signed for precisely this reason: to provide insurance against the unlikely event of a nightmare scenario playing out -- much like the one the Sox are currently in.

7/3 Online Seats Game Thread: Getting to Guthrie

Jon Lester and Jeremy Guthrie have both factored into twelve decisions so far this season, earning a (9-3) and (3-9) record, respectively. Tonight, Lester will look to continue the Boston Red Sox's successful record against the struggling Orioles.

7/2 Online Seats Game Thread: Showing Baltimore the O Face

As if they didn't get enough of the beating's before, the Baltimore Orioles are back for more from the Boston Red Sox who will once again truck Tim Wakefield out to the mound.

The Offense Has Carried The Club And Now It Is the Rotation’s Turn

As the Red Sox world turns, it is reflecting more and more like a general hospital. On a daily basis another player is heading to the disabled list. The Olde Towne Team needs to keep their collective heads above water until the starters get back on the diamond. The good play since April allows the Red Sox the opportunity to stay in the race even with numerous key players in the training room.

The Red Sox offense is mostly responsible for the May and June resurgence. They lead the American League in runs scored, are second in on-base percentage and first in slugging percentage. The incredible turnaround of David Ortiz and the unconscious Adrian Beltre at the plate have been two that have performed beyond expectations.

6/30 Online Seats Game Thread: The Beast of the East

The Boston Red Sox seemed to have settled in nicely at home with last night's win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Daisuke Matsuzaka will try to make it two for Boston, as he goes against Tampa's Matt Garza.

6/29 Online Seats Game Thread: Home Sweet Home

After a seemingly endless road stint that left the Boston Red Sox bruised and battered, they will have to mount up once again to take on the Tampa Bay Rays. John Lackey will head out to the mound for Boston, while James Shields will try to handle the Red Sox callups.

Red Sox stumble to break with replacements

Looking back on Sunday's lineup we may long for that day these next few weeks. The roster was: Marco Scutaro Daniel Nava David Ortiz Kevin Youkilis Victor Martinez J.D. Drew Bill Hall Darnell McDonald Jon Lester That lineup still held five of our expected starters. Getting back to the AL we will have Adrian Beltre back in that lineup, but with Martinez hitting the DL we are starting to see a lineup half full of replacement level players. Now it looks like Eric Patterson will be getting some time at second as well as Bill Hall, but neither has produced even one WAR in the past three seasons.

6/28 Online Seats Game Thread: Pyrrhic Victory

The Boston Red Sox have sacrificed life and limb to take the series against San Francisco, but the Giants will send out The Freak, Tim Lincecum, to try to nab the rubber match from the Sox.

6/26 Online Seats Game Thread: Welcome to the Jungle, Bumgarner

Giants fans have long been awaiting the arrival of Madison Bumgarner to add to their already stellar list of pitchers - but the Boston Red Sox will look to spoil his big arrival with a Boston welcome party.

Papelbon struggles as Bard dominates

Papelbon has gone from an elite closer to what appears to be a replacement level reliever in just a matter of a few seasons. This year his numbers have fallen off a cliff as his K/9 was always his best skill and even though his walks were going up he could still maintain strong numbers. This year though his K/9 has dropped all the way to 7.67. That's not going to get it done when your walking more than 3 batters every nine innings. Looking at his xFIP of 4.74 you can see he has actually been lucky so far this year. There aren't many signs for what is wrong though. His arm speed is as good as it has ever been and while his slider is a bit slower it has been his best pitch according to run values.