by bcowett | Jun 25, 2013 | 2013 Boston Red Sox, Boston Red Sox, Carlos Gonzalez, Clay Buchholz, Colorado Rockies, Daniel Nava, David Ortiz, David Ross, Dexter Fowler, DJ LeMahieu, Franklin Morales, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jordan Pacheco, Josh Rutledge, Juan Nicasio, Michael Cuddyer, Nolan Arenado, Rafael Betancourt, Roy Oswalt, Todd Helton, Troy Tuowitzki, Wilin Rosario
Ah, interleague play. A delightful little thing. Where the traditionalists love to tote the pitcher batting and – what? The Colorado Rockies are coming to Fenway? Really? YES! No ridiculous pitcher PAs! David Ortiz is a full-time player! Let’s get this...
by bcowett | Jun 24, 2013 | 2013 Boston Red Sox, Ben Cherington, Boston Red Sox, Clay Buchholz, Daniel Nava, Detroit Tigers, Jon Lester
The Red Sox won a game in Detroit, right? Because it really feels like they got swept. One of those series that really gets under your skin. The fans, much less the players, won’t forget Sunday’s game for a while. The Red Sox were over-managed and badly...
by bcowett | Jun 21, 2013 | 2013 Boston Red Sox, Andrew Bailey, Boston Red Sox, Daniel Nava, John Lackey, Jose Iglesias, Lowell Spinners, Manny Ramirez, Stephen Drew, Tampa Bay Rays, Wil Myers, Will Middlebrooks
Not the greatest of starts for the team last night. But there’s three more games left in the series – plenty of time to bounce back. All it took was one bad inning, and eight solid ones were made meaningless. Not the best of days – or weeks, for...
by jkeller | Jun 20, 2013 | Adam Jones, Alex Rodriguez, Andrew McCutchen, Brandon Mauer, Brett Gardner, Carlos Gomez, Carlos Santana, Chris Davis, Coco Crisp, Curtis Granderson, Daniel Nava, David Ortiz, David Wright, Derek Jeter, Dustin Pedroia, Edwin Encarnacion, Evan Longoria, Howie Kendrick, J.J. Hardy, Jhonny Peralta, Jose Bautista, Manny Machado, Mark Trumbo, Miguel Cabrera, Mike Trout, Paul Goldschmidt, Robinson Cano, Troy Tulowitzki, Yadier Molina
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is one of my favorite mile markers of the summer. I’m not talking about a horrendous “Celebrity” Softball game, or the even more unbearable Home Run Derby. I mean the actual baseball game, and nothing else. I...
by bcowett | Jun 14, 2013 | 2013 Boston Red Sox, 2013 Pawtucket Red Sox, Alex Wilson, Alfredo Aceves, All-Star Game, All-Star Voting, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Daniel Nava, Jonny Gomes, Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogaerts
If the BABIP gods covet one team above all the rest, it’s those Baltimore Orioles. Bloop singles everywhere and they’re catching every single liner. He may have gotten saddled with the loss, but Alex Wilson did a phenomenal job last night. He’s yet...
by bcowett | Jun 10, 2013 | 2013 Boston Red Sox, Boston Red Sox, Daniel Nava, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Ryan Dempster, Trey Ball
Yet another consecutive series win by the Red Sox. While sweeps are great, seeing this team consistently beat tough opponents is better. The bleachers in center & right fields were busy yesterday, as the Red Sox belted four round-trippers as a send-off for the...
by dpoarch | Jun 9, 2013 | Alfredo Aceves, Allen Webster, Boston Red Sox, Daniel Nava, David Ortiz, Jackie Bradley, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jose Iglesias, Josh Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, Trey Ball, Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogaerts
Last week, I had the bright idea of starting a Fire Brand mailbag. I thought I would have some fun with it, but mostly, it would focus on legitimate Red Sox analysis in a way Nick Cafardo typically fails to provide. I… was wrong. You can read the first part here....
by scandage | Jun 4, 2013 | A.J. Pierzynski, Adrian Beltre, Alex Wilson, Alexi Ogando, Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Miller, Boston Red Sox, Clayton Mortensen, Colby Lewis, Craig Breslow, Craig Gentry, Daniel Nava, David Murphy, David Ortiz, David Ross, Derek Holland, Elvis Andrus, Geovany Soto, Ian Kinsler, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jeff Baker, Joakim Soria, Joe Nathan, Joe Ortiz, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Jonny Gomes, Jose Iglesias, Junichi Tazawa, Jurickson Profar, Justin Grimm, Justin Miller, Koji Uehara, Lance Berkman, Leonys Martin, Leury Garcia, Matt Harrison, Mike Napoli, Mitch Moreland, Neal Cotts, Neftali Feliz, Nelson Cruz, New York Yankees, Robbie Ross, Ryan Dempster, Stephen Drew, Tanner Scheppers, Texas Rangers
After taking two of three against the Yankees (thanks, rain!), the Boston Red Sox (35-23, first place in the AL East, 2.5 games ahead) return to Fenway Park to face the Texas Rangers (35-21, first place in the AL West, 1.5 games ahead) in a three-game series. The Red...
by jkeller | May 30, 2013 | Alex Wilson, Allen Webster, Andrew Bailey, Andrew Miller, Andrew Miller, Boston Red Sox, Brock Holt, Clay Buchholz, Clayton Mortensen, Craig Breslow, Daniel Nava, David Ortiz, David Ross, Dustin Pedroia, Felix Doubront, Franklin Morales, Jackie Bradley, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, John Farrell, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Jonny Gomes, Jose Iglesias, Junichi Tazawa, Justin Verlander, Koji Uehara, Mike Carp, Mike Napoli, Pedro Ciriaco, Robinson Cano, Ryan Dempster, Shane Victorino, Stephen Drew, Will Middlebrooks
Every month, here on Fire Brand, I take a look at the relative value of the 25 players on the current active roster. If you missed the March or April editions check them out for the criteria of these rankings. As always, tell me if you agree or disagree in the comment...
by scandage | May 27, 2013 | Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Miller, Antonio Bastardo, Ben Revere, Boston Red Sox, Carlos Ruiz, Chad Durbin, Chase Utley, Clayton Mortensen, Cleveland Indians, Cliff Lee, Craig Breslow, Daniel Nava, David Ortiz, Delmon Young, Domonic Brown, Dustin Pedroia, Erik Kratz, Freddy Galvis, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jimmy Rollins, John Lackey, John Lannan, John Mayberry, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Jonathan Pettibone, Jonny Gomes, Jose De La Torre, Jose Iglesias, Junichi Tazawa, Justin DeFratus, Kevin Frandsen, Koji Uehara, Kyle Kendrick, Michael Stutes, Michael Young, Mike Carp, Pedro Ciriaco, Philadelphia Phillies, Roy Halladay, Ryan Dempster, Ryan Howard, Tyler Cloyd
Having been victorious in three out of four games against the Indians, the Boston Red Sox (31-20, tied for first in the AL East) take on the Philadelphia Phillies (24-26, third place in NL East, 6.5 games back) in a four-game home-and-home series starting at Fenway...
