Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Thursday, August 2, 2007
A look at the Seattle series
Hopefully the trip to Seattle is more successfully than our other trip there in late June (a three game sweep the last two game being one run affairs), where we the offense couldn't get the big hit, as they squandered opportunity after opportunity. It would appear the Sox have the better pitching matchups
Friday: The two lefties Jon Lester versus Horacio Ramirez advantage Lester as he is pitching in his home state of Washington. Patience will be the key for the hitters in this one, both pitchers have a tendency to be a little wild. Ramirez has walked 24 on the season, in 58 + innings, his last time out he had 5 BB against the Athletics.
Saturday: Dice-K versus Jarrod Washburn. Another lefty throwing against the Sox. Dice-K hopes to continue to pitch well, he's been solid his in his previous three outings but only has one win to show for it. Scoring runs has been a problem for the Sox offense, as they have pushed across only 4 runs in the last three Dice-K starts. Washburn in his last three starts has no decisions.
Sunday: Curt Schilling was originally scheduled to return to the rotation however, his start has been pushed back to Monday against the Angels as he returns from his stint on the DL with shoulder issues. In his place will be Josh Beckett opposed by Miguel Batista. Beckett has struggled a little lately for the Sox, as he is 1-3 in his last 4 starts. However, in two of those losses he allowed only just one run, as he was a victim of the Sox offense, so the record is a little misleading. Last time out on Tuesday against the Baltimore he did give up 5 runs. Batista has been pitching well for Mariners, winning 3 of his last 4 decisions, he's coming off a 2-0 shutout win against the Angels, where he went 7 innings and allowed just 4 hits.
The Sox should be prepared to take 2 out of 3 from Seattle this weekend, if not a three game sweep the way the pitching matchups stackup. Seattle is playing much better ball lately, 5-1 with a series sweep of Oakland and taking 2 of 3 from the Angels. in their last 10, they are 5-5. Closer JJ Putz, has struggled blowing two of his last 4 saves opportunities, his latest came on Wednesday against the Angels. With the Sox bullpen strengthened, hopefully they can prevent Seattle, who has 32 come from behind wins from adding to their win total this weekend.
Friday: The two lefties Jon Lester versus Horacio Ramirez advantage Lester as he is pitching in his home state of Washington. Patience will be the key for the hitters in this one, both pitchers have a tendency to be a little wild. Ramirez has walked 24 on the season, in 58 + innings, his last time out he had 5 BB against the Athletics.
Saturday: Dice-K versus Jarrod Washburn. Another lefty throwing against the Sox. Dice-K hopes to continue to pitch well, he's been solid his in his previous three outings but only has one win to show for it. Scoring runs has been a problem for the Sox offense, as they have pushed across only 4 runs in the last three Dice-K starts. Washburn in his last three starts has no decisions.
Sunday: Curt Schilling was originally scheduled to return to the rotation however, his start has been pushed back to Monday against the Angels as he returns from his stint on the DL with shoulder issues. In his place will be Josh Beckett opposed by Miguel Batista. Beckett has struggled a little lately for the Sox, as he is 1-3 in his last 4 starts. However, in two of those losses he allowed only just one run, as he was a victim of the Sox offense, so the record is a little misleading. Last time out on Tuesday against the Baltimore he did give up 5 runs. Batista has been pitching well for Mariners, winning 3 of his last 4 decisions, he's coming off a 2-0 shutout win against the Angels, where he went 7 innings and allowed just 4 hits.
The Sox should be prepared to take 2 out of 3 from Seattle this weekend, if not a three game sweep the way the pitching matchups stackup. Seattle is playing much better ball lately, 5-1 with a series sweep of Oakland and taking 2 of 3 from the Angels. in their last 10, they are 5-5. Closer JJ Putz, has struggled blowing two of his last 4 saves opportunities, his latest came on Wednesday against the Angels. With the Sox bullpen strengthened, hopefully they can prevent Seattle, who has 32 come from behind wins from adding to their win total this weekend.
Another series down, another series win
The Red Sox wrapped up a very brief three game home stand with the visiting Baltimore Orioles in a rare Thursday afternoon matinee at Fenway with a 7-3 victory and a 2-1 series win. The Sox are off to the West coast for series against the Seattle Mariners (2nd in the wild card standings), and the AL west leading Los Angeles Angels (the team with the 2nd best record in MLB behind the Red Sox) before coming back east to play the Orioles at Fenway East (otherwsie now as Camden Yards). This is an important stretch of games for the Sox, who hold an 8 game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East.
Today Tim Wakefield won his 13th game of the season, now tying him with Josh Beckett (13-5) for the most win on the Sox. In all 23 games he has started this year, Wake has gotten a decision. In his last 7 games, he is 6-1 overall, not bad for a guy some people thought should be removed from the starting five once Jon Lester returned. One thing is for sure, Wake deserve to be in the starting 5 and has done nothing but prove that this season. Today's offense came from some unlikely sources as Wakefield's personal catcher Doug Mirabelli led the charge with a 3-3 performance, as he drove in 2 runs and scored 2, delivering his 4th homerun as well. It was his single in the 7th that provided the winning run for the Red Sox as they scored 4 runs in the 7th to secure victory number 66 of the season. In the 9th newly acquired set-up man Eric Gagne, had his first Fenway appearance, as he entered to a rousing standing ovation. In a 7-3 game, he quickly got the first two outs via the strikeout (Millar and Tejada), then in what appeared to be the final out of the inning, he got Aubrey Huff to pop up down the third base line, Lowell appeared to have a play on the ball but it blew back into fair territory and landed for a ground rule double, Jay Payton followed with an end of the bat bloop single into right field and Huff scored. Gagne finished the game off by retiring Gibbons on a fly out to left.
Although Gagne allowed a run but pitched very effectively, I like the setup of our pen now. I think Gagne serves two purposes, one he gives us three lights out guy in the pen (Okijima and Papelbon) being the other two. This shortens the game for the Sox, who tend to get their starters pitching into the 6th on most nights. He also is insurance if something happens to Okijima or Papelbon, he will be able to fill both roles, nothing like having a two proven closer in your pen.
J.D. Drew although a late scratch from the lineup did pinch run in the 7th for Eric Hinske, Drew had been away for two days as his 17 month old son had surgery. He had one at bat in the 8th and flew out to left. The Sox did nothing at the deadline to improve their bench which is their weak point right now. All the talk about moving Wily Mo proved to be fruitless. I think the Red Sox will be ok with the bench they have, and then get a boost with the September call ups, most notably Jacoby Ellsbury- who gives them speed and defense off the bench. Also there will be players clearing through the waiver wire all month, it is a popular belief that Bobby Kielty is someone the Sox would be interested in.
When the Sox return home after this nine game road trip, the AL East could be well in hand or the race could be heating up.
Today Tim Wakefield won his 13th game of the season, now tying him with Josh Beckett (13-5) for the most win on the Sox. In all 23 games he has started this year, Wake has gotten a decision. In his last 7 games, he is 6-1 overall, not bad for a guy some people thought should be removed from the starting five once Jon Lester returned. One thing is for sure, Wake deserve to be in the starting 5 and has done nothing but prove that this season. Today's offense came from some unlikely sources as Wakefield's personal catcher Doug Mirabelli led the charge with a 3-3 performance, as he drove in 2 runs and scored 2, delivering his 4th homerun as well. It was his single in the 7th that provided the winning run for the Red Sox as they scored 4 runs in the 7th to secure victory number 66 of the season. In the 9th newly acquired set-up man Eric Gagne, had his first Fenway appearance, as he entered to a rousing standing ovation. In a 7-3 game, he quickly got the first two outs via the strikeout (Millar and Tejada), then in what appeared to be the final out of the inning, he got Aubrey Huff to pop up down the third base line, Lowell appeared to have a play on the ball but it blew back into fair territory and landed for a ground rule double, Jay Payton followed with an end of the bat bloop single into right field and Huff scored. Gagne finished the game off by retiring Gibbons on a fly out to left.
Although Gagne allowed a run but pitched very effectively, I like the setup of our pen now. I think Gagne serves two purposes, one he gives us three lights out guy in the pen (Okijima and Papelbon) being the other two. This shortens the game for the Sox, who tend to get their starters pitching into the 6th on most nights. He also is insurance if something happens to Okijima or Papelbon, he will be able to fill both roles, nothing like having a two proven closer in your pen.
J.D. Drew although a late scratch from the lineup did pinch run in the 7th for Eric Hinske, Drew had been away for two days as his 17 month old son had surgery. He had one at bat in the 8th and flew out to left. The Sox did nothing at the deadline to improve their bench which is their weak point right now. All the talk about moving Wily Mo proved to be fruitless. I think the Red Sox will be ok with the bench they have, and then get a boost with the September call ups, most notably Jacoby Ellsbury- who gives them speed and defense off the bench. Also there will be players clearing through the waiver wire all month, it is a popular belief that Bobby Kielty is someone the Sox would be interested in.
When the Sox return home after this nine game road trip, the AL East could be well in hand or the race could be heating up.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
The Deadline approaches.. T-Minus 8 hours
Well as the trading deadlines nears at 4pm today, there are a plethora of rumors swirling around the baseball world. Yesterday saw plenty of action. as the most sought after player Mark Teixeira was traded to the Atlanta Braves, along with Ron Mahay for Jarrod Saltalamacchia and three minor leaguers, most notably Elvis Andrus. The Sox had been rumored to be interested in Saltalamacchia as a backup to V-tek.
The most persistent rumors have the Sox very interested in Jermaine Dye of the White Sox, this would give they a power right hand bat, and another outfielder. Apparently the Sox have told him that he would play 5 days a week. So it looks like J.D. Drew won't be playing against any lefties anymore and speaks volumes to what a mistake the contract they gave Drew, when just 2/3 of a season into his 5 year deal they are looking for backup. Dye struggled earlier in the year but has been much better since the all-star break he's hitting .250 but has 8 home runs and has driven in 17 and scored 18 runs. The chips to Sox will have to give to get this trade done have gone back in forth, but the lastest would see Wily Mo Pena and a pitcher (Manny Delcarmen, Jon Lester, or Michael Bowden). I would give up Delcarmen if we are able to pry Gagne away from Texas if not I would prefer to see Kason Gabbard traded over Lester. I think this is a deal that will get done, the Sox have been persistent in trying to make this work.
The other big name the Sox are interested in is Eric Gagne, this would be a great pickup especially considered the uncertainty of health in the bullpen, with Timlin's achy shoulder, Donnelly arm, and the youth of Delcarmen. There are several things that could hold up this deal, as Gagne would have to waive his no trade clause as well as be a set-up man, something that he didn't want to do. The other teams actively seeking Gagne are the Yankees (he doesn't have a no trade clause with them), Mets (he doesn't have a no trade clause with them) and the Brewers. Rumors have the Sox being the front-runners here. The Sox would have to give up CF Jacoby Ellsbury and top pitching prospect Michael Bowden or Justin Masterton to pry Gagne away. The price seems a bit steep and I don't see the Sox parting with Ellsbury for a rent a player. .
I think the Sox will make at least one of these moves, if not both. They need another right hand arm in the pen, so if they don't get Gagne they need to work out another deal to get some right arm help. If I had to chose between Dye or Gagne, I would take Gagne in a second. As they always say pitching and defense win championships. I think our offense could survive without another power bat. If they don't get Dye, then I would expect another Utility OF to be added, someone like Bobby Kielty.
One thing is for sure the trading deadline is a great time for baseball fans, as they wait on the edge of their seats hoping there favorite team makes a huge move that will propel them into the playoffs and to the world series title. Even for those teams out of the race, it's a time to acquire fresh new talent that one day might lead them to the promise land.
The most persistent rumors have the Sox very interested in Jermaine Dye of the White Sox, this would give they a power right hand bat, and another outfielder. Apparently the Sox have told him that he would play 5 days a week. So it looks like J.D. Drew won't be playing against any lefties anymore and speaks volumes to what a mistake the contract they gave Drew, when just 2/3 of a season into his 5 year deal they are looking for backup. Dye struggled earlier in the year but has been much better since the all-star break he's hitting .250 but has 8 home runs and has driven in 17 and scored 18 runs. The chips to Sox will have to give to get this trade done have gone back in forth, but the lastest would see Wily Mo Pena and a pitcher (Manny Delcarmen, Jon Lester, or Michael Bowden). I would give up Delcarmen if we are able to pry Gagne away from Texas if not I would prefer to see Kason Gabbard traded over Lester. I think this is a deal that will get done, the Sox have been persistent in trying to make this work.
The other big name the Sox are interested in is Eric Gagne, this would be a great pickup especially considered the uncertainty of health in the bullpen, with Timlin's achy shoulder, Donnelly arm, and the youth of Delcarmen. There are several things that could hold up this deal, as Gagne would have to waive his no trade clause as well as be a set-up man, something that he didn't want to do. The other teams actively seeking Gagne are the Yankees (he doesn't have a no trade clause with them), Mets (he doesn't have a no trade clause with them) and the Brewers. Rumors have the Sox being the front-runners here. The Sox would have to give up CF Jacoby Ellsbury and top pitching prospect Michael Bowden or Justin Masterton to pry Gagne away. The price seems a bit steep and I don't see the Sox parting with Ellsbury for a rent a player. .
I think the Sox will make at least one of these moves, if not both. They need another right hand arm in the pen, so if they don't get Gagne they need to work out another deal to get some right arm help. If I had to chose between Dye or Gagne, I would take Gagne in a second. As they always say pitching and defense win championships. I think our offense could survive without another power bat. If they don't get Dye, then I would expect another Utility OF to be added, someone like Bobby Kielty.
One thing is for sure the trading deadline is a great time for baseball fans, as they wait on the edge of their seats hoping there favorite team makes a huge move that will propel them into the playoffs and to the world series title. Even for those teams out of the race, it's a time to acquire fresh new talent that one day might lead them to the promise land.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Manny & Wily Mo power up....
The Red Sox finished off their 4 game set with the Cleveland Indians with a 14-9 win in a slug fest at the Jake. The Sox were paced by the red hot Manny Ramirez. Manny is hitting .434 with 6 HRS, 19RBI'S in 15 games since the All-Star break. It looked like this might be the year that Manny didn't get 30HRS and 100 RBI's but at this rate, he looks to be back on track. Right now he is on pace for 27HRS & 103 RBI'S. His offense has certainly been a welcome boost to the Sox lineup, as they continue to pound out the hits. They have 5 guys hitting over .300 in the lineup, those guys make up the 2-6 hitters, talk about a lineup a pitcher doesn't want to face right now, especially with the way Coco and Lugo have been hitting lately.
Highlights of last night's 14-9 victory
*Manny hits 2HR's, his 49th career game with 2 or more jacks. His home run in the 2nd was the third longest in history at the Jake, it went an estimated 481 FT, a true monster shot to straight away center. His HR in the 8th was again to straightway center. When Manny's hitting to ball to center you know he's going well, that's 3 HR's in the last week that have gone out that way.
* Wily Mo Pena, with trade rumors swirling around, he had one of his best offense nights of the year, 4-5 with 4 RBI'S & 2R's. Apparently the Cleveland pitching staff didn't listen to their scouts or their scouts are just that bad, because they threw Wily fastball after fastball and he kept smashing the ball all over the park. He saw more fastballs last night than he has all season, to his credit he was swinging early and made solid contact. It's crazy how much power this guy actually has, when he connects with a baseball the ball just flies off his bat. I am sure Theo was licking his lips after a performance like that last night, his trade value just went up from 0 to a 1. It's clear that playing time is what Wily Mo needs, something that he has never really had the chance to do since he played 110 games in 2004 with Cincinnati. It may be worth some small market team to take a chance on him, with regular playing time, he should produce 30 HRS a year.
*Curt Schilling in his rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket last night was outstanding, 5 innings, 8k's only gave up 2 hits, walked none on 66 pitches. Schilling looks like he is well on his way to coming back and being a lights pitcher, One more rehab start to extend his arm out and he'll be back on Aug 6th to face the Angels.
Other news
Kason Gabbard was cruising through the game having retired 13 of 14 batters, but ran into a blip, where he lost control and starting giving hits and never made it out of the 5th, so he wasn't eligible for the win. This type of performance may open the door for Jon Lester, or make the Sox more inclined to deal Gabbard at the deadline. I think it's clear to the Sox that the upside of Gabbard is not great compared to other arms they have in the minors (Bucholz, Bowden), they may sell now with his value being at it's high point.
The Sox are 7.5 games up, and have the best record in the majors 62-40 as the head for the Trop and the great pitching of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Let's hope the offense keeps going against these guys. We have to face Kazmir on Sunday.
Highlights of last night's 14-9 victory
*Manny hits 2HR's, his 49th career game with 2 or more jacks. His home run in the 2nd was the third longest in history at the Jake, it went an estimated 481 FT, a true monster shot to straight away center. His HR in the 8th was again to straightway center. When Manny's hitting to ball to center you know he's going well, that's 3 HR's in the last week that have gone out that way.
* Wily Mo Pena, with trade rumors swirling around, he had one of his best offense nights of the year, 4-5 with 4 RBI'S & 2R's. Apparently the Cleveland pitching staff didn't listen to their scouts or their scouts are just that bad, because they threw Wily fastball after fastball and he kept smashing the ball all over the park. He saw more fastballs last night than he has all season, to his credit he was swinging early and made solid contact. It's crazy how much power this guy actually has, when he connects with a baseball the ball just flies off his bat. I am sure Theo was licking his lips after a performance like that last night, his trade value just went up from 0 to a 1. It's clear that playing time is what Wily Mo needs, something that he has never really had the chance to do since he played 110 games in 2004 with Cincinnati. It may be worth some small market team to take a chance on him, with regular playing time, he should produce 30 HRS a year.
*Curt Schilling in his rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket last night was outstanding, 5 innings, 8k's only gave up 2 hits, walked none on 66 pitches. Schilling looks like he is well on his way to coming back and being a lights pitcher, One more rehab start to extend his arm out and he'll be back on Aug 6th to face the Angels.
Other news
Kason Gabbard was cruising through the game having retired 13 of 14 batters, but ran into a blip, where he lost control and starting giving hits and never made it out of the 5th, so he wasn't eligible for the win. This type of performance may open the door for Jon Lester, or make the Sox more inclined to deal Gabbard at the deadline. I think it's clear to the Sox that the upside of Gabbard is not great compared to other arms they have in the minors (Bucholz, Bowden), they may sell now with his value being at it's high point.
The Sox are 7.5 games up, and have the best record in the majors 62-40 as the head for the Trop and the great pitching of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Let's hope the offense keeps going against these guys. We have to face Kazmir on Sunday.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Welcome back Jon Lester
Last night was the return of Jon Lester to the big league, a little less than year after he was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma. The emotions were running high in Cleveland last night, and Lester was outstanding in his return to the mound, pitching 6 innings and limiting the dangerous Cleveland lineup to 2 runs on 5 hits, while striking out 6.
The return of Lester is great news for the Sox, it will give them 6 starters once Curt Schilling returns from the DL in 7-10 days. Will Lester stay up with the big club or will he return to the minors? If last night was any indication it maybe the former. Will the Sox now use Kason Gabbard's hot streak and dangle him as trade bait as the July 31st deadline approaches? Only time will time how the Red Sox will treat this situation, but Lester's return is another boost in the arm. With The Yankees tearing the cover off the baseball and on a hot streak winning 9 out of their last 11, getting a boost from Lester is just what the doctor ordered.
Aside from the emotion of Lester's return, the Red Sox offense continued its hot hitting in the first inning, as they jumped out to the 4-0 before Lester even threw a pitch, I am sure that helped calm the nerves. For the second straight day, the Sox made a pitcher work overtime in the first, as Jake Westbrook threw 33 pitches, the same number that White Sox starter, Jon Garland threw on Sunday. Manny Ramirez delivered against his former team with a two run double, giving him 7rbi's in the last 7 games, and 15 over his last 12.
Lester only blip on the scoreboard was a 2 run home run surrendered to Grady Sizemore in the third. Lester's fastball was his money pitch all night as he was able to throw it by the Cleveland hitters all night. In the 4th inning, Lester struggled with his command, allowing the base loaded with only one out, on a double and two walks. As he often did last season, its seems he gets better with more runners on base, he was able to escape the inning unscathed as he retired Josh Barfield on a slow come backer and a huge strikeout of Sizemore to end the inning with the sacks full of Indians.
The offense star of the night was the red hot Coco Crisp, who was facing his former team for the first time back in Cleveland, Coco went 4-5 on the night from the lead off spot and scored 3 times. He is 10 for his last 15 and his OPS is up to .756. Over the last 30 days Coco is hitting as well .384, I think it's safe to say he's out of his slump
A great night all around for the Red Sox, Jon Lester was triumphant in his return from cancer and the Sox picked up their league leading 60th win. The Sox are on a 4 game winning streak heading into tonight's premier pitching match-up of the series between Dice-K and C.C. Sabathia.
The return of Lester is great news for the Sox, it will give them 6 starters once Curt Schilling returns from the DL in 7-10 days. Will Lester stay up with the big club or will he return to the minors? If last night was any indication it maybe the former. Will the Sox now use Kason Gabbard's hot streak and dangle him as trade bait as the July 31st deadline approaches? Only time will time how the Red Sox will treat this situation, but Lester's return is another boost in the arm. With The Yankees tearing the cover off the baseball and on a hot streak winning 9 out of their last 11, getting a boost from Lester is just what the doctor ordered.
Aside from the emotion of Lester's return, the Red Sox offense continued its hot hitting in the first inning, as they jumped out to the 4-0 before Lester even threw a pitch, I am sure that helped calm the nerves. For the second straight day, the Sox made a pitcher work overtime in the first, as Jake Westbrook threw 33 pitches, the same number that White Sox starter, Jon Garland threw on Sunday. Manny Ramirez delivered against his former team with a two run double, giving him 7rbi's in the last 7 games, and 15 over his last 12.
Lester only blip on the scoreboard was a 2 run home run surrendered to Grady Sizemore in the third. Lester's fastball was his money pitch all night as he was able to throw it by the Cleveland hitters all night. In the 4th inning, Lester struggled with his command, allowing the base loaded with only one out, on a double and two walks. As he often did last season, its seems he gets better with more runners on base, he was able to escape the inning unscathed as he retired Josh Barfield on a slow come backer and a huge strikeout of Sizemore to end the inning with the sacks full of Indians.
The offense star of the night was the red hot Coco Crisp, who was facing his former team for the first time back in Cleveland, Coco went 4-5 on the night from the lead off spot and scored 3 times. He is 10 for his last 15 and his OPS is up to .756. Over the last 30 days Coco is hitting as well .384, I think it's safe to say he's out of his slump
A great night all around for the Red Sox, Jon Lester was triumphant in his return from cancer and the Sox picked up their league leading 60th win. The Sox are on a 4 game winning streak heading into tonight's premier pitching match-up of the series between Dice-K and C.C. Sabathia.
Monday, July 23, 2007
The cars that the Sox drive
Got the opportunity to catch my first Sox game of the year yesterday, 8-5 win over the White Sox. Got to the park early and had the opportunity to see many of the players arrive, they certainly are driving some nice rides. Papelbon took the cake with his yellow Lamborghini, Dice-K's Bentley was pretty sweet as well. Not pictured here, but Mike Timlin gets the award for most down to earth car, a Ford Explorer. Check out some of them.
J.D. Drew's H2 Hummer
Varitek's Volvo
Papi's Escalade
Coco's H3 Hummer
Pedroia's H2 Hummer
Papelbon's Lamborghini
Dice-K's Bentley
J.D. Drew's H2 Hummer
Varitek's Volvo
Papi's Escalade
Coco's H3 Hummer
Pedroia's H2 Hummer
Papelbon's Lamborghini
Dice-K's Bentley
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