Fireside Chats #46: Where we anxiously await the return of Papi, but we won’t hold our breath

Paul and I took to the airwaves after tonight's win against Toronto in the showdown between the top two teams in the American League East (at least thats what the standings would tell you). We cover topics from the return of the Pap(elbon) to the exact opposite of the Pap(i), Jacoby Ellsbury's recent tear, and interleague play.

And yes...it is time to drop David Ortiz in the lineup...

All that and more on Episode #46 of Fireside Chats on MVN!

Fireside Chats #45: Where we pull Joe Haggerty away from the Zamboni to talk baseball

Even with a 1/2 hour breaking news special this week on Manny Ramirez and his hormonal imbalance, you didn't really think that we'd be done covering the topic did you? Mix in Lou Merloni and Dan Duquette and add the expert take of Bruins Red Sox reporter Joe Haggerty and we, like Manny on his "drugs" could "go all night".

It's not all steroid talk...we also cover Youkilis and Pedroia's pains and the call up of Daniel Bard.

All that and more on Episode #45 of Fireside Chats on MVN!

Fireside Chats #44: Where we are sitting on the dock of the Bay

Paul and I recap an eventful week from being owned in Tampa to rolling in NY while paying tribute to Jason Bay along the way. You can't miss Paul's "Joba rant" where he goes so far as to call Joba a douchebag (tough words Paul). From dropping Ortiz in the lineup to which pitchers are on the bubble as DiceK and Smoltz work their way back to Boston, we traverse more Red Sox topics than Carl Crawford can steal bases. All that and more on Episode #44 of Fireside Chats on MVN!

Fireside Chats #43: Where we talk Yankees, Ortiz, and Wake with Chad Finn and April MVP

Chad Finn, not scared away after our first conversation, graces the MVN airwaves for a second time as he recaps his reactions to the dramatic weekend with the Yankees at Fenway Park. Like many of us, Chad's starting to get a little worried about David Ortiz.

After Chad leaves, Paul and I give out our awards for April Most Valuable Player and look forward to a big week ahead on the road.

All that and more on Episode #43 of Fireside Chats on MVN!

Fireside Chats #42: Where we bask in the glory of the sweep and welcome back our cranky friend Frank

It's a marathon, not a sprint. You've got to stay in for the long haul. Everything will regress to the mean. Water seeks its own level. The cream will rise to the top. You get my point...All is right with the world this week coming off a series sweep against Baltimore.

Paul and I welcome back our longest standing guest of Fireside Chats, Cranky Frankie the Yankee in advance of this weekends renewal of "the rivalry".

We close the show discussing the greatest moments in Red Sox Nation history. Our vote, cast for Dave Roberts and the steal. How about you?

All that and more on Episode #42 of Fireside Chats on MVN!

Fireside Chats #41: Where we find ourselves in the cellar looking up at the Os

The season certainly has taken a turn since we last talked with you all after an Opening Day win and that turn was not a good one. In fact, it was so bad, we now find ourselves in last place in the bizzaro world that is the American League East. But neither Paul nor I are ready to press the panic button, yet.

In today's show, we lament the loss of Lowrie, blame the WBC for all things Matsuzaka, and Paul explains why he believes Josh Beckett did throw at Bobby Abreu and why a suspension is in order. We also look forward to the week ahead and talk a little O's with Anthony Amobi of MVN's Oriole Magic.

Fireside Chats #40: Where we celebrate Opening Day and talk Rays with DRaysBay.com

The 2009 season is finally upon us and we celebrate a win over those pesky Rays by taunting the very bloggers that cover them. Old friends of the show Tommy and Erik were kind enough not to back out of an appearance after the loss today to talk about the 2009 Rays and give us some perspective as we watch this team in action over the next few days.

Of course, we couldn't let the show go without reminiscing fondly over C.C. Sabbathia's first start in a Yankee uniform. While we don't expect him to throw $800k stinkers out there every start, we do think that the Yankees bullpen on the road to Rivera is wrought with potholes.

All that and more on Episode #40 of Fireside Chats on MVN!

Fireside Chats #39: Where we preview the East, talk ourselves into Sheff, and learn from Dylan

The next time we all get together and talk, there will be actual baseball going on (thank you lord, the Spring has been the death of me). While Paul and I go out on a limb and agree that the O's and Jays will struggle this year, our opinions on the AL East Champions differs. Find out who proclaims Yankees as the favorites in our AL East preview segment.

We recap the Madness and come away convinced that Jacoby Ellsbury might not only win this thing, but that he might be the most important player on the Red Sox this season.

Gary Sheffield's been released in Detroit...could he? could we? nah....or could we? Maybe Sheff as a Sox isn't as far fetched an idea as you might think.

If you stick with us until the end, Dylan from CA tells us why he thinks Mike Lowell could and will be the surprise performer in Boston in 2009. Dylan, shoot me an email at tdaloisio [@] gmail.com with your contact info so I can arrange a shirt from our friends at the Red Seat. Listen Now!!!

Fireside Chats #38: Where Paul & Tim sit back and listen to the experts, Will Carroll and Jeff Goldberg

It's a star studded episode of Fireside Chats as we first welcome Jeff Goldberg who tells us why he thinks Big Papi is going to be swinging a big stick this year and how Jon Lester's contract extension could be the best of the Sox offseason moves. Jeff, a career newspaper journalist with the Hartford Courant before they made some deep cuts in the sports department last year, also gives us a candid look at where the media landscape. It doesn't look bright for the newspaper industry.

From newspapers we turn the conversation to injuries and who better to talk to than Will Carroll from Baseball Prospectus. He is the injury expert (I've given second thought to using the word guru - thanks Will) and he tells us why we shouldn't rely on Brad Penny, not to fear for Mike Lowell or David Ortiz, and that if Julio Lugo is half the woman that Mary Lou Retton is, he'll be back on the field in short order (you'll have to listen to understand the reference). All that and a new t-shirt contest after the jump!

Poll: Better or Worse: Jon Lester’s innings pitched in 2009?

New Poll Question: Better or Worse: Jon Lester's innings pitched in 2009?

Jon Lester pitched a yeomans-like 237 innings in 2008. There is debate over whether Lester will be a candidate for the now famous "Verducci-effect" in 2009. Can Lester's arm hold up for another 200+ innings this season? Vote in the poll to the left and give your community projection for Lester here.

Find out how you all responded to our previous poll, "Will Josh Beckett drop a sub-3.50 ERA in 2009?" after the jump.