6/12 Online Seats Game Thread: Can Boston Bomb Blanton Too?

A day after the Boston Red Sox took the Phillies out to the yard to play yesterday. Today, Daisuke Matsuzaka will do his part against Joe Blanton, who has been struggling since his return.

6/7 Online Seats Game Thread: V-Mart Cowboys Up to Face Indians

The Boston Red Sox narrowly missed a series sweep of the Baltimore Orioles. Daisuke Matsuzaka will lead the team into Cleveland to take on the struggling Indians, who have been missing Victor Martinez, as V-Mart makes his first appearance back in Cleveland since last year's move.

Is Matsuzaka still injured?

Although his skills are not ever going to let him be anything more than a number five pitcher, Daisuke Matsuzaka can still be worth the value of his deal if he can just stay healthy. In 2007 and 2008 he posted WAR over 3.2 and was worth nearly $15 million in free agent dollars those years.

5/27 Online Seats Game Thread: Boston Homeward Bound

After completing a clean sweep of the league leading Tampa Bay Rays, the Boston Red Sox might be a bit tempted to look past the fledgling Kansas City Royals, as they head home after a lengthy road trip.

Daisuke Rolling, Ellsbury Back, Colorado Catchers

Daisuke Rolling With all the issues the Red Sox rotation has faced this season, there is nothing better than to see Daisuke Matsuzaka stepping up into at the right time. Throwing a one-hitter in Philadelphia on Saturday, there has been some speculation that Daisuke may be taking that long-awaited leap to respectability. However, other than two stellar starts sandwiching his New York meltdown, there has been a little to be excited about this year. Daisuke just hasn't changed at all from years past to indicate that any sustainable change is in the works. His zone percentage at a career low (46.4 percent), his first-strike percentage largely unchanged (56.6 percent in 2010 v 59.5 percent, career), and his zone contact percentage in line with his career line (84.9 percent, 2010 v 84.2 percent, career), it seems we are dealing with the Daisuke of old again this season.

5/22 Online Seats Game Thread: After a Rocky Start in Philly

The first game of interleague play didn't go as well as the Boston Red Sox had planned. But tonight, Daisuke Matsuzaka will welcome back some familiar faces from the DL to take on Kyle Kendrick in the second game against the Phillies.

5/17 Online Seats Game Thread: Boston is Bronx Bound

The Boston Red Sox took their lumps in Detroit, but Daisuke Matsuzaka will have to look sharp as Boston heads to the Bronx to begin a two game series against the New York Yankees.

Drew Back on Track, A Thing or Two About Numbers, What is Fixable?

Drew Back on Track No Sox hitter in the past two weeks has been hotter than J.D. Drew. In Boston’s last ten games, he’s batted 17-for-36 with three homers. The eight Ks are a bit unfortunate, but nothing concerning. Not including last night, his first strike percentage is down to 63.4 from 72.7, his BABIP is up to .329 from .194. What is particularly exciting about Drew’s performance is the type of contact he’s making. Besides it being hard and consistent, he’s been doing an excellent job of sending the ball the other way on two strikes. According to MLB.com’s Fenway Park hit chart, Drew has four opposite field singles this season to go along with two doubles. In 2009, he had all of five singles (seven depending on how narrowly or widely you define the left field) and five doubles (up to nine for the width of left field). In particular, Drew has been serving these opposite field singles with two strikes. Keeping his hands back and serving outside pitches into right field means he’s timing the ball much better than he had been. Lots of hitters in slumps will get ahead of the pitch and roll the ball over to the pull side...

5/6 Online Seats Game Thread: Dice-K To Shake off A Dicey Start

The Boston Red Sox are riding the .500 line after taking three in a row off of the Los Angeles Angels. Now, Daisuke Matsuzaka will have to shake off the rust from his first start, in which he got tagged for six earned runs on seven hits against the Orioles, in order to complete the sweep of the Angels and give the Red Sox a winning record.

5/1 Online Seats Game Thread: Dice-K Back For Boston

After a brutal late game loss last night, Daisuke Matsuzaka will make his much anticipated return to the Boston Red Sox, squaring off against Brad Bergesen and the Baltimore Orioles.