BOSOXBLOG

Red Sox Buy a Bright Future

It seems that Fenway Sports Group, an arm of the company that owns the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park, said today it is buying a controlling stake of the minor league Salem Avalanche baseball franchise, based in Salem, Va.

Looks like those of us living in the DC area just got another way to watch the sox family.

Never too early to think about Spring!

As the days grow shorter and the nights colder it gets harder and harder for me to remember the warm, summer days of baseball.

Even though Christmas is upon us and the Pats are marching towards the Super Bowl (fingers crossed against Pittsburgh) I still scour the web for hints of summer and the Sox.  Here is something of the hot stove variety that is sure to help all of us get through the long wintry slog.

Hot Stove Time

For all those who cannot get enough winter baseball goings on...I present the free agent tracker.  Torii Hunter was recently signed by the Angels, so he's off the market.  Who out there thinks Coco Crisp will be gone in the coming months???

Evil Empire, Meet the Jedi

Last night, the Yankees were handed their worst road shutout loss in franchise history at the hands of the Detroit Tigers, 16-0. In turn, the Red Sox now have an eight-game lead heading into the start of tonight's three-game set in the Bronx.

Okay, so I was off by one game.
In my last post (before this weekend), I predicted we might have a nine-game lead by tonight.

I'll still take eight.
On yet another good note, Mike Mussina has been struggling, having an eight-plus ERA in August and allowing 18 runs in his past three starts.
He's lasted no more than three innings in each of those appearances.
And as if that weren't good enough, the ESPN team at last night's game is reporting all interest in the Yankees clubhouse is focused, and rightly so, to catch the Mariners in the AL Wild Card race, in which they are currently two games back.
Even in the Boston Globe on Monday, they announced Baseball Prspectus had determined the Sox have a 99.6% chance of making the playoffs, and a 95% chance of winning the division.

I'll take those odds.

Don't cry for me Dice-K

Red Sox fans have a storied history of blowing everything out of proportion.  Things go bad in April and its "these guys are terrible."  A pitcher has a bad outing and the Nation speculates what could be "wrong" with him.  Well in an effort be remain consistent I offer the following over-the-top analysis of tonight's 2-1 loss to the basement dwelling Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

After winning the first two games of a three-game set, the Sox looked to Dice-K for their first series sweep since the first week of July when, you guessed it, the Sox broomed the D-Rays.  Dice-K (13-10) was solid over six, allowing two hits and two runs over six.  Matsuzaka also had eight strikeouts while walking four. 

I don't have the numbers in front of me, but this is a disturbing trend: Dice-K puts in good work (he leads the league in quality starts), puts the Sox in a position to win, and the rest of the team can't pick him up.  You mean to tell me that you cannot scratch out one lousy run over three innings against the Rays? 

No offense to T.B. - they're a talented major league club with a lot of hard workers who perform nightly in front of about 28 people.  But the Sox are the best team in baseball and need to demonstrate as much by taking care of business.  It's a rare week when you have the chance to gain three games on the competition.  A Sox win tonight, coupled with a Yankee loss in Anaheim, would have provided just that.

In true Sox Nation fashion, tonight's loss will be tempered by a Yankee loss against the Angels.  Anyone see the shellacking the Angels put on the Yanks last night?  And speaking of shellacking, check out this football score the Orioles allowed today. 

The Red Sox lead will either be 6 or 5 games by tomorrow.  Next up for the Sox: the Chicago White Sox who have lost 8 of 10. 

Gagne traded for a box of crayons

Last night Eric Gagne's latest escapade nearly made me vomit.  The only thing that spared me from losing my meatball sub was that I couldn't actually watch Gagne blow another save and inflate his Red Sox ERA to 15.00.  Gameday has a way of making things look not so terrible.  The 7-5 loss to the Angels dashed my hopes that the Sox would sweep a rare double-header and gain ground on all pretenders to the throne.  Now I understand why sweeping double-headers is so difficult.

Heading into the bottom of the 8th things looked less than stellar for the Sox, but down 4-1 the Sox mounted a great comeback and entered the 9th leading 5-4.  With Papelbon going in the day game, Gagne returned to his traditional role of closer and began the ninth.  After securing one out, the wheels came off and Gags proceeded to give up three runs.  The Sox lost 7-5.  I cannot re-cast the plays that led to the defeat for fear of projectile vomiting.

A team built on pitching must pitch - It's that simple.  When the Sox got Gags the smart money held that he would anchor an already deep bullpen, give Papelbon a little rest, and provide insurance against injury.  Well, that theory is slowly dying.  It's getting to the point that when Gags enters a game the Fens holds its collective breathe and steels their nerves for another rocky road.  Can a brother please get a clean inning?

What makes this loss a little tougher to take than other defeats is three-fold.  First, the Sox came back against outstanding pitching (Santana held the Sox hitless over five).  Second, the Sox have trouble coming back and the see-saw effect is nauseating.  Third, there is no third.  I'm a Sox fan.  Every pitch, out, hit, run, inning, error, save, hot dog, fungo, glove, and hat is the most important thing EVER. 

Around the Horn

Doug Mirabelli is on the 15-day disabled list and the Sox called up Kevin Cash (great baseball name). 

Look for Clay Buchholz to return to Boston at the back of the bullpen.  Can anyone imagine a rookie taking Gags' turns?  I can.

It's nice to see Tito getting thrown out more this year.  I've always felt that Francona, as great a manager as he is, can be too controlled.  You gotta pull a Bobby Cox every now and then.  On second thought, never mind.  Tito has a bad ticker and I don't need to the Sox skipper laid out on the infield.

It's great to see Jacoby Ellsbury back with the Sox.

Is it me or did Ortiz look fabulous in yesterday's nightcap?  He had that smile.  Let's hope he is feeling a bit better.

Freakin' Gags.

Sox & Celtics to become two-headed championship hydra

Don’t buy your championship t-shirts just yet, but those in attendance at Fenway Park for yesterday's Sox-O’s game caught a glimpse of the future. And it is now. Ladies and gentlemen…throwing out the first pitch…Boston Celtic… Kevin Garnett. In yet another installment in a show I like to call 'Why I love the Sox,' David Ortiz caught the newly acquired 6’11” Garnett (low and in the dirt) to a roaring crowd. When asked if he would attend Celtic games this upcoming season, Ortiz said "You'll see me out there, boy!"

The Celtics are trying to compete for the prize of top team in the Hub. Not to be outmatched, the Sox created some buzz in the ballpark. Eric Gagne, one of the most accomplished reliever-setup-closers in the business was on scene and available tonight. Curt Schilling, the self-described ace of the staff, re-joined the club today as well. After several positive outings in Pawtucket, all signs point to Schilling getting the ball Monday against the Angels.

There was also a game last night, the Sox coming back to beat the O’s 5-4. (J. Lopez, W) Due to Kason Gabbard’s departure (kid we hardly knew ya’), which coincided with Schilling’s return to the rotation, meant a spot start for Julian (you make me nervous) Tavarez. Jules, who hasn’t won a start since July 1, lasted five innings for the no-decision. Being his usual schizophrenic self, Tavarez gave up three earned runs (including a Nick Markakis homer in the first), scattered seven hits, walked one, struck out none, robbed a bank and gave the money to Manny’s favorite charity.

The Sox came back from two down with a four-run seventh to take a 5-3 lead. Youk, Pedroia, Papi, and Ortiz were key. Heading into the eighth many who looked to the pen for an emerging Gagne… were disappointed. Instead, Okajima entered and promptly gave up a bomb to Tejada making it 5-4. In the ninth, Papelbon locked things down for his 24th save. Order was restored and the Sox go to bed with a 7 game lead over the team that shall not be mentioned.