D-Day 2009

"Baseball is a marathon, not a sprint."

How often have you been told that, with respect to the baseball season, no single day nor no single event matters more than the collective performance over a 162 game season? When looking at individual performance, I follow that perspective to a fault. Until a slump reaches the proportions of David Ortiz in the first months of 2009 or Jason Bay in the most recent, I feel confident that a player will regress or progress as the case may be back to their mean. "Water seeks it's level".

With respect to the team at large, a season is made of peaks and valleys, winning streaks and lulls. As a fan, every multi-game streak in either direction can feel like a precursor to the fate of the season, but as Terry Francona and his players will tell you time and time again, they don't get caught up in such momentum as easily as we do. They head to the park day in and day out to play, and try to win, a game against the team lining up against them on the field that day.

BOS 6, BAL 5: Flip side

Boston's bullpen had something to prove.

LAA 8, BOS 4: Taken away

Tim Wakefield had lost 5 straight road games to the Los Angeles Angels. He looked well on his way to breaking that streak with a four run lead heading into the bottom of the third. Mike Napoli made sure Wakefield's streak extended to six games with one swing of the bat.

Red Sox call up Daniel Bard

The Red Sox purchased the contract of RHP Daniel Bard from Triple-A Pawtucket, reports the Providence Journal. Bard struck out 29 batters in 16 innings, saving six games. He should immediately become a late-inning option in a Sox bullpen that has struggled as of late. No word on the corresponding roster move, as the Sox will have to not only make room on the 25-man roster, but the 40-man as well.

Lugo plays field, Ks twice for PawSox, will return April 27

Julio Lugo began a rehab assignment Wednesday for the Pawtucket Red Sox and came away feeling better, physically, than his performance would indicate.

Lugo, who batted leadoff and played shortstop, was 0-for-3 in three official at-bats and drew a walk in an International League game won by Pawtucket, 8-7, over Rochester in 11 innings.

Bowden, Bard propel PawSox to win; Bailey called to majors

Boston's pitching future was on display Monday afternoon at McCoy Stadium -- the future in the person of starter Michael Bowden and reliever Daniel Bard.

Bowden recorded his first Triple-A victory (which is interesting in the sense he won his first major league game last season) as the Pawtucket Red Sox blanked the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs, 2-0.

What’s the impact of Justin Masterson in the rotation?

All indications point to Justin Masterson taking Dice-K's place in the rotation after Dice was placed on the 15-day DL with arm fatigue.

As Masterson prepares to face the Orioles on Patriots Day, the trickle-down effect is significant, especially with the specter of the Josh Beckett suspension hanging over the team.

Masterson was a versatile option out of the bullpen that changes the makeup of the pen significantly. Masterson and Okajima were the two options out of the gate in the seventh and eighth to close out a game with the lead. Now, Saito likely takes Masterson's role, with Manny Delcarmen elevated in a role where the Sox pitch from behind.

Chat Transcript: Ortiz, Yankees, Buchholz and more

David Ortiz - Samara Pearlstein

Sit down with a big cup of coffee, because have I a treat for you. I participated in a chat on Tuesday night and they have made the transcript available for Fire Brand to peruse.

I talk about which minor leaguers to keep an eye on... what the Sox need to do to win this year... how important David Ortiz is to us.

Oh, I also throw out predictions such as who will finish at first... scoff at the Yankees... and talk about who the heck can be our future catcher.

Fenway’s Futures: Daniel Bard

Daniel Bard, the 6'4" flame thrower out of UNC has enjoyed some failures and successes as a member of the Boston Red Sox organization, has he cured those demons? or is he destined to repeat them?

As far as long term, as Bard has shown he can recover from rough spots and be a consistent/dominant reliever, I could easily project him as a long time set-up man for Jonathan Papelbon, but with the crowded pen as it is, Bard may end up being traded, or forcing the Red Sox to make a trade to accommodate a spot for him.

Sox Top 10 Prospects

Baseball America came out with the Top 10 prospects. Lars Anderson is unsurprisingly ranked first, but what's with leaving Will Middlebrooks off? A surprise: pitcher Nick Hagadone third. Casey Kelly and Ryan Westmoreland, despite lack of experience, rank high.