Dystopian Futures of the AL East

Around this time ever year, we hit that tipping point where most of the offseason’s notable moves have already occurred. Sure, there are some free agents left to sort out (I.E. Stephen Drew, Nelson Cruz, Ubaldo Jimenez, etc.), but for the most part, the bigger pieces...

Three Rays I Fear and Three I Don’t

The long wait is nearly over. After clinching the American League East on September 20, and the American League’s best record on September 28, it took until October 2 to finally learn the Red Sox Divisional Round opponent for the 2013 playoffs.  Once again, a familiar...

Ranking Possible Playoff Opponents

ESPN’s standings currently have the Red Sox sitting at a 99.9% chance of making the playoffs. So is it a lock that Boston will once against be dancing in October? Of course not! But just how close are they to winning the AL East? Even if the Red Sox go a modest 7-8...

Roster Power Rankings, July Edition

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, April, May, or June editions check them out for the criteria and history of these rankings. This month sees a season high six...

What Was I Thinking?

Making spring training predictions usually guarantees two things: 1) You will hit on a few. 2) You will miss on a lot more. Since we’re now through more than a quarter of the 2013 season, let’s take a look at five predictions that I already wish I could...

Know Thy Enemy 2013: Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles 2013 Season Preview When we starting the Know Thy Enemy series, I specifically requested to cover the Orioles. There was a specific reason for that – I wanted to write about what I think will be the biggest fall-to-earth team in baseball. I...

Evaluating the AL East, Part One

Baseball’s offseason sucks. Well, alright, every sports offseason sucks. But baseball’s feels worse, somehow. Maybe it’s just how slowly it moves. There’s no real free agent blitz like there is in football; it can be months before free agents...

The Advanced Scout – Baltimore Orioles

After losing both of their final home games, the tied-for-last Boston Red Sox (69-87, 21 games back in the AL East) travel to Camden Yards for their penultimate series of the year against the Baltimore Orioles (89-67, 1 game back in the AL East, leading the AL Wild...

The Advanced Scout – Baltimore Orioles

After splitting a series in St. Petersburg, the Boston Red Sox (66-83, 19 games back in the AL East) return to Fenway Park for their last home stand of the season for a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles (85-64, 1 game back in the AL East, 4.5 games ahead...

The Advanced Scout – Baltimore Orioles

After taking two of three from the Blue Jays in a quick road trip to Toronto, the Boston Red Sox (28-26) return home to Fenway Park to start a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles (30-24). The injury bug has hit the Orioles, with Nick Markakis most notably...