by evan brunell | Apr 21, 2008 | Clay Buchholz, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jed Lowrie, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, Manny Delcarmen
Should the Red Sox ink their young stars to long-term deals? Troy Tulowitzski and Fausto Carmona both recently inked long-term deals despite not being eligible for arbitration yet and the Tampa Bay Rays also inked James Shields in addition to Evan Longoria, he of six...
by evan brunell | Apr 17, 2008 | Coco Crisp, Daisuke Matsuzaka, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Hideki Okajima, J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Beckett, Julio Lugo, Kevin Youkilis, Manny Ramirez, Mike Lowell
The Red Sox have long been a club based on the three-run jimmy jack: Slow, stone-handed players that mash the ball. Given the close confines of Fenway Park, the Red Sox followed this mantra for years and it continued through 2003. The tide started to turn in 2004 but...
by mike edelman | Apr 15, 2008 | Clay Buchholz, Coco Crisp, Daisuke Matsuzaka, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Hideki Okajima, J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Varitek, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Beckett, Julian Tavarez, Julio Lugo, Kevin Cash, Kevin Youkilis, Manny Delcarmen, Manny Ramirez, Mike Lowell, Mike Timlin, Sean Casey, Tim Wakefield
A few weeks ago I asked “the crowd” here at MVN and specifically the Fire Brand community to participate in an social experiment of the highest order of importance to the future of mankind. The challenge at the time was to investigate the merits of group...
by shawn medeiros | Apr 14, 2008 | Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jacoby Ellsbury, Kevin Youkilis, Manny Ramirez, New York Yankees, Phil Hughes, Sean Casey
Jacoby Ellsbury and Kevin Youkilis both drove in two RBIs and Daisuke Matsuzaka struggled but earned his third victory of the season in only five innings of work. On 116 pitches, Matsuzaka gave up four runs, walked six and struck out two in the win which was aided by...
by zach hayes | Apr 9, 2008 | Coco Crisp, Jacoby Ellsbury
Entering spring training and the 2008 season, the number one question lingering from the previous campaign dealt with centerfield. Fans asked if a platoon situation would be in order, a system where Crisp and Ellsbury split playing time with Crisp facing more...
by evan brunell | Apr 7, 2008 | Coco Crisp, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Hideki Okajima, J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Varitek, Julio Lugo, Uncategorized
Now that the three-country odyssey has come to an end, perhaps the Red Sox can put their struggles behind them. The offense has been streaky, the bullpen mediocre en route to a 3-4 start and the schedule won’t get any easier. The off-day tomorrow will be...
by shawn medeiros | Apr 6, 2008 | Daisuke Matsuzaka, David Aardsma, David Ortiz, Frank Thomas, J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Varitek, Josh Beckett, Manny Delcarmen, Toronto Blue Jays, Vernon Wells
Josh Beckett got roughed for five runs in his season debut and the Toronto Blue Jays completed the sweep winning 7-4. Vernon Wells and Frank Thomas went yard in the win for the Jays in the win. Vernon’s dinger sent Beckett packing after 4.2 innings pitched with...
by shawn medeiros | Apr 2, 2008 | Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Varitek, Joe Blanton, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Oakland Athletics, Rich Harden
Daisuke Matsuzaka struck out nine and gave up just two hits in 6.2 innings pitched to earn his first victory of the season. The Boston offense contributed with two runs batted in from Jacoby Ellsbury and Jason Varitek in the win. Jonathan Papelbon notched his second...
by mike edelman | Mar 25, 2008 | Clay Buchholz, Coco Crisp, Daisuke Matsuzaka, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Hideki Okajima, J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Varitek, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Beckett, Julian Tavarez, Julio Lugo, Kevin Cash, Kevin Youkilis, Manny Delcarmen, Manny Ramirez, Mike Lowell, Mike Timlin, Sean Casey, Tim Wakefield
I usually write my posts the day before they publish here on Fire Brand of the American League and then press publish them when I get to my computer in the morning. In theory, today – as you read this – is no different. In reality however, as I publish...
by evan brunell | Mar 24, 2008 | Alex Cora, Bobby Kielty, Bryan Corey, Clay Buchholz, Coco Crisp, Daisuke Matsuzaka, David Aardsma, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Hideki Okajima, J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Varitek, Javier Lopez, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Beckett, Julian Tavarez, Julio Lugo, Kevin Cash, Kevin Youkilis, Know Thy Enemy, Kyle Snyder, Manny Delcarmen, Manny Ramirez, Mike Lowell, Mike Timlin, Sean Casey, Tim Wakefield
You guessed it — we’re picking the Red Sox to repeat as American League East Division Champions. Coming off a World Series, the Red Sox will look to repeat and make it three titles in five years (shades of the Patriots). The Red Sox have a strong team...
