BOS 6, WAS 4: Homers power Sox
David Ortiz is starting to find his groove.
Category: John Smoltz
Justin Masterson is a reliever.
Justin Masterson is dominant against right-handed hitters. But lefties reach base well over the league-average. Meaning that Masterson will have trouble until he can establish an "out-pitch" to retire them. Or develop his command more so, which is a possibility. Because currently, Masterson still catches too much of the inner half of the plate, at least against left-handers. And 2009 hasn't been any different either. A relatively small sample, but Masterson's .794 OPS against lefties just isn't going to cut it.
Poll: Name those starters
New Poll Question:
Who will be the odd men out of the rotation come mid-July? Between a rehabbing Smoltz, a streaking Wakefield, Penny, Masterson and Buccholz, pick two to saddle up with Beckett, Lester, DiceK.
As always, new poll is up to the right...vote away and argue it out in the comments.
Don’t Panic: The Red Sox will improve.
Sample size, sample size, sample size! Remember the thing that increases the accuracy of whatever the available data happens to…
Know Thyself 2009: Boston Red Sox
The 2009 Boston Red Sox are in the final stages of preparing for what is certain to be an entertaining and exciting season. The spring is finally behind us, the roster is set and the team is moving northward to christen Citi Field with some Major League talent.
Now all the roster moves are behind us and the questions move from the "who" of the offseason as they shift to the analysis of performance and the "what" of baseball. This past week has been spent looking at the competition in the American League East, and stiff competition it is. In most cases, the Red Sox had the position by position edge over each team from the Yankees to the Orioles and it should come as no surprise, in that light, that the staff here at Fire Brand gives the Red Sox the edge to win the AL East in 2009.
Today we summarize much of what we've talked about in our "For Better or Worse" series this offseason as we go player by player through the Red Sox roster and prepare for live baseball next week.
POLL: Most impact?
Fire Brand asked which of the new additions to the Red Sox would make the most impact in the poll now running on the right-hand sidebar. The results are after the jump.
Fireside Chats #31: Where a little Smoltz and Baldelli goes a long way
Paul and Tim seem to have recovered from the aftershock of Mark Teixeira's donning the pinstripes, and John Smoltz and Rocco Baldelli have alot to do with it. Aside from breaking down the new acquisitions, they go up and down the lineup, wonder if Tim Wakefield's position on this team is secure, and review the MLB Network. Are they suddenly optimistic about the Red Sox 2009 prospects? Listen and find out.
JUNKYARD DOGS, A Season of Redemption . . . and Hope.
17 of the starting 25 Red Sox for 2009 have much to prove this season. Of this number, 15 are rebounding from injuries which plagued 2008.
Rocco Baldelli, John Smoltz signings are master strokes
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| Smoltz - y-its-mom (Flickr) |
All that's standing in the way of Penny, Smoltz and Baldelli is not ineffectiveness, it's injury. And all indications (considering the Red Sox do their homework on this) is that these players do not have injuries holding them back anymore.
They're ready and able to get Boston that World Series ring in a year where they have two heavyweights on their back in the Yankees and Rays. What the Yankees and Rays may not be counting on, however, is that the Sox, as presently constituted, could be better than them.
Cafardo’s Latest: Baldelli, Smoltz close
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe is reporting that Rocco Baldelli and the Boston Red Sox are close to agreeing on terms for the Rhode Island native to become the fourth outfielder for 2009. The St. Petersburg Times reported earlier this evening that Baldelli was likely to sign soon, and Peter Gammons later reported that Rocco and the Red Sox "close."
Cafardo is also reporting the team is likely to announce a deal with 42-year old veteran John Smoltz. Sources involved with negotiations indicate Smoltz with get a one year, $5.5 million deal with the potential to make $10 million in 2009. Smoltz is likely to return by early May and has a desire to be a starter.