by evan brunell | May 23, 2012 | Boston Red Sox, Mark Melancon, Poll
It’s time for a new poll! This one is asking your thoughts on how to get Mark Melancon back to the majors. Melancon has allowed just one run in 15 relief innings for the Pawtucket Red Sox. He’s punched out 23 and walked just two, and it’s obvious now...
by chipbuck | May 23, 2012 | Boston Red Sox, Carl Crawford, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Kevin Youkilis, Mike Aviles, Nick Punto, Ryan Sweeney
The leadoff spot. It’s something we haven’t talked about much here. To be fair, there hasn’t been a tremendous need. The offense has been rolling along, despite injuries to key players like Jacoby Ellsbury, Kevin Youkilis, and Carl Crawford. ...
by Mike Simmons | May 22, 2012 | Boston Red Sox, Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester, Josh Beckett
Please welcome new Fire Brand author, Harry Pavlidis. One of the most appealing aspects of PITCHf/x is the opportunity it gives researchers to spot changes in a pitcher’s stuff. With millions of tracked pitches, and thousands for some pitchers, it can be...
by aconvery | May 22, 2012 | Boston Red Sox, Carl Crawford
There’s no such thing as an intangible statistic in baseball. Let’s get that straight right off the bat. Things like “heart”, “grit”, and “mental toughness” are simply qualities conjured up by the media to make for better stories and articles. There are plenty...
by aconvery | May 21, 2012 | Adam Jones, Boston Red Sox, Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta, Mark Reynolds, Matt Lindstrom, Tommy Hunter
All it took for the Red Sox to escape Philadelphia with a series win was a piece of Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s left ear, Ryan Sweeney’s neck, and Carl Crawford’s glove. But they did. The Sox are rolling, capturing victories in eight of their last ten contests. Now they...
by mike scandura | May 20, 2012 | Ben Crockett, Boston Red Sox
There are two coincidences attached to Ben Crockett’s appointment as Boston’s Director of Player Development: Crockett was selected in the 10th round of the 2001 draft by the Red Sox but wound up enrolling at Harvard. A native of Topsfield, Mass. and a star pitcher...
by scandage | May 18, 2012 | Antonio Bastardo, Boston Red Sox, Carlos Ruiz, Chase Utley, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Daniel Bard, Daniel Nava, David Herndon, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Freddy Galvis, Hunter Pence, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jim Thome, Jimmy Rollins, Joe Blanton, John Mayberry, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Jose Contreras, Josh Beckett, Juan Pierre, Justin DeFratus, Laynce Nix, Michael Martinez, Philadelphia Phillies, Placido Polanco, Ryan Howard, Ryan Sweeney, Shane Victorino, Tampa Bay Rays, Vance Worley, Will Middlebrooks
After a split with the Rays, the Boston Red Sox (18-20) start interleague play with a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies (20-19) at Citizens Bank Park. The Red Sox have won six of their last seven and the Phillies have won five in a row. These are two...
by chipbuck | May 18, 2012 | Aaron Cook, Adrian Gonzalez, Alfredo Aceves, Boston Red Sox, Carl Crawford, Coco Crisp, Cody Ross, Daniel Bard, Daniel Nava, Darnell McDonald, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Varitek, Josh Beckett, Kevin Youkilis, Nick Cafardo Mail Bag, Ryan Kalish, Ryan Sweeney, Will Middlebrooks
<a title=" If you think playing A-Gon in center is a crazy idea, you’ll love the first question in today’s Cafardo mailbag… Has any thought been given to moving Middlebrooks to shortstop (his original position) upon the return of Youkilis to...
by evan brunell | May 17, 2012 | Boston Red Sox, Ryan Sweeney
My fiancee and I have a running joke where, when Jarrod Saltalamacchia steps to the plate, I’ll inform her that her boyfriend is up at bat. She’ll likewise let me know when my own boyfriend, Ryan Sweeney, is at the plate. But where Salty being her...
by scandage | May 16, 2012 | Adrian Gonzalez, B.J. Upton, Baltimore Orioles, Ben Zobrist, Boston Red Sox, Brandon Allen, Burke Badenhop, Carlos Pena, Cody Ross, Daniel Nava, Desmond Jennings, Dustin Pedroia, Elliot Johnson, Evan Longoria, Fernando Rodney, J.P. Howell, Jake McGee, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jeff Niemann, Jeremy Hellickson, Joel Peralta, Jon Lester, Jose Lobaton, Jose Molina, Josh Beckett, Kyle Farnsworth, Luke Scott, Matt Joyce, Matt Moore, Mike Aviles, Robinson Chirinos, Sam Fuld, Sean Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Wade Davis, Will Middlebrooks, Will Rhymes
Having won both games of a two-game set against the lowly Seattle Mariners, the Boston Red Sox (17-19) travel to St. Petersburg, Florida to play another two-game series, this time against the tied-for-first place Tampa Bay Rays (23-14). The Red Sox, while still in...
