BOS 9, BAL 3: No Surprise, Sox Sweep Orioles

With another short but sweet start from Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Red Sox were able to whittle the magic number down…

9/20: The Diceman goes up against B-more

GAME NOTES: Daisuke Matsuzaka takes the hill for the second time since his much-anticipated return. While his first start was impressive, it will be all for naught if he morphs back into his former self. Dice-K needs to continue attacking the strike zone if he hopes to contribute to the Sox in October. Berken has a 6.08 ERA. That is all.

20/20 Vision

A few years back, I was introduced to a simple site on the Internet that gave me a different and useful lens on the baseball season. Doug's Stats (www.dougstats.com) looks much like it did the day I stumbled on it in 2003. It hasn't gotten a Web 2.0 facelift, there are no fancy charts or running commentary. In fact, most of the stats can be gotten from any sports site with a "stats" tab in their MLB section. But there was one link on the front door of Doug's home on the Internet that grabbed my attention.

BOS 4, LAA 1: Dice is Nice

In his first game back since June 19, Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched a surprisingly decent an unagitating outing, as the Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California of the United States of North America, 4-1. The multi-million dollar man notched over six shutout innings, giving up only three hits. Unfortunately, he walked just as many batters, but the five strikeouts on 93 pitches were certainly a step in the right direction.

6/15: ALDS Preview… again?

GAME NOTES: The Angels come to town. We'll probably be facing them in the ALDS again -- the Angels could use a strong showing at Fenway Park to give them confidence going into the playoff series. The Angels aren't the pitching club they used to be, but boy, they can rake now. It's important, I think, to show them that their struggles at Fenway Park will continue. Oh, and Dice-K returns.

Matsuzaka to make return Tuesday, Byrd tucks wings in

Last night, Amalie Benjamin tweeted that Daisuke Matsuzaka was going to make his return to the Sox rotation on Tuesday. This means that Paul Byrd is suddenly out of a rotation spot, assuming Tim Wakefield makes his scheduled start next weekend in Baltimore. Check out how the weekend stacks up and when Byrd will probably start.

What to Do With Daisuke, The Transformation of Lester

With Daisuke finalizing his rehab stint for Class-A Salem, a September 15th return seems within reach. But what does Dice have to offer for the big club?

Through five months of the 2009 season, Jon Lester has morphed himself from above average starter into one of the best starters in the American League. What is at the root of this transformation?

What to Do With Daisuke?

As the Boston Red Sox get set for their weekend series against Tampa Bay, embattled starter Daisuke Matsuzaka gets prepared for a return to the Red Sox rotation.

Under any normal circumstances, the answer would be simple: bench him.

But these are not normal circumstances.

The dream of sending Daisuke to the pine, alive and kickin' since his horrifying yet successful 2008, is D.O.A. due to the size of his contract. Players who earn as much as Dice does will always get their playing time. That's just the way it is. The team has invested so much in him that they have to give him every opportunity to succeed.

Dice-K making another rehab start Wed.

Via Twitter, Amalie Benjamin (or as the FOXSports announcers would have you believe, 'Molly' Benjamin) says that Daisuke Matsuzaka will make another rehab assignment Wednesday -- the location to be determined.

The Dice Man started for Pawtucket on Saturday and was not pleased with his breaking ball command. Sox officials said they hoped to squeeze one more minor league start out of Matsuzaka.

After the start, Dice-K will rejoin the BoSox. It remains to be seen who he will replace in the rotation. The two candidates are obviously Paul Byrd and Tim Wakefield. My guess? Wakefield looks like he's still hurting a ton, so they'll give Wakefield a breather and work Matsuzaka in. What say you?

Matsuzaka displeased with breaking ball command after rehab start

Even though he last pitched for the Boston Red Sox on June 19, Daisuke Matsuzaka expressed confidence about his ability to return to the major leagues.

"I think I can stand on the mound with 100 percent confidence," Matsuzaka said through an interpreter after allowing two solo home runs in 4 1/3 innings during a rehab start Friday night for the Pawtucket Red Sox against the Syracuse Chiefs. "I approached tonight's start like it was a regular-season game. I felt close to how I pitch in the regular season."

Reddick Recalled, Wakefield Possible for Saturday, Daisuke Rehabs

-Josh Reddick was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket yesterday. He should provide added depth to an already deep outfield, as well as another option off the bench for pinch hitting duties. Hopefully the outfielder can build off his lackluster start with the big club.

-Tim Wakefield may return to the mound for a Saturday start against the White Sox. Following a cortisone shot on Monday, Wake seems to be feeling better. As ESPN reports, the Sox will wait to see how Wakefield feels on Friday before giving him the go ahead...