Indians @ Red Sox Preview

The Red Sox lead over the Yankees is down to just 1 game. Last night, the game was tied in the 8th inning until Bard came in and blew it. He has been so good all season that I really don't read too much into it. Eventually everyone get it.

Tonight we will see David Huff vs. Josh Beckett. Huff lost two starts against Boston last year, but gave up just 3 earned runs in 11 1/3 innings. Since being called back up from the minors Huff has been actually pitching pretty well going 1-1 with a 0.71 ERA over 12 2/3 innings with nine Ks. Still with Jiminez being aquired this is probably Huff's last night.

Beckett wasn't as sharp in his last outing giving up 4 runs in 7 innings to the Royals. It wasn't a bad start,he just had one bad inning. I think he will come out strong tonight, even though he has struggled against the Indians in his career (4-5 5.04 ERA). Other then that last start Beckett has been amazing at home with a 1.88 ERA. Look for Boston to win big tonight.

Red Sox win 7-2
Player of the Game: Pedroia/Beckett
Game starts at 7:10pm

9 Indians, 6 Sox

Even though Daniel Bard gave up the dagger runs, I'm still going to blame the loss on John Lackey. Through the 1st three innings he pitched real well. Lackey gave up a run in the 4th to make it 3-2, and was fine until the 6th. Lackey got hit for 3 more runs in the 6th, including back to back homers by Cabrera and Hafner. Lackey ended up with 6 2/3 innings, giving up 8 hits, 5 runs, and struck out 5.

Speaking of Asdrubal Cabrera, he absolutely killed the Sox and went 3-5 with 2 homeruns.

Crawford and Salty chipped in with solo shots each. And everyone except Ortiz had a hit. We tried, just bad luck yesterday.

Indians @ Red Sox Preview

The Red Sox and Indians both made trades to improve their rotation, but that isn't something we will see tonight. Tonight we get Lackey vs. Josh Tomlin... very thrilling.

Tomlin has been the surprise of the Indians season going 11-4 with a 4.01 ERA, and is 4-1 with a 3.81 ERA over his last eight starts. Tomlin isn't an overpowering pitcher, but I guess on some level you have to give him respect with how well he has pitched this year.

The Indians as a team though have been struggling. They are just 2-8 over their last 10 games and have fallen 2 1/2 games behind the Tigers for first place in the AL Central. Even with their trades you have to wonder if this overachieving team may have finally leveled out.

Red Sox lead the majors with 586 total runs and have scored 15 over their last two games. As DP and I have stated several times this is the best offense we have ever seen. It is really hard for me to pick again them on any night, even with they have that shit head Lackey on the hill.

Lackey won his last four starts with a 2.52 ERA, so hopefully he has turned the corner. I still think he is letting up way too many hits and eventually that will come back to haunt him once again. Still, think the Red Sox win tonight though...

Red Sox win 8-6
Player of the Game: Ellsbury
Game starts at 7:10pm

Ryan Westmoreland Update

"The Providence Journal reports that Red Sox OF prospect Ryan Westmoreland could begin facing live pitching soon. “They know I’m ready, and I know I’m ready,” he said. “I’m physically and mentally ready — whether I hit the ball or not — to get in the batter’s box again. To see a pitcher throw a ball at me from 60 feet away is going to be pretty special.” As soon as the Red Sox staff gives him the go-ahead, based on his health and the way he’s handling batting practice, he’ll hit real pitches from a real pitcher for the first time since his surgery (CBS Sports)."

It will be shocking if Westmoreland every plays in a minor league game, let alone an MLB game, but these steps are impressive. He has basically had to learn how to walk, talk, and so on since the surgery. Now he is swinging a bat well enough that he will be able to go against live pitching. I really hope somehow this kid does pull off a miracle and makes it all the way back. What an incredible story it would be. You do have to remember he was the Sox #1 prospect not too long again, and although it is unlikely he will ever make it, it's great to hear these kinds of updates.

Red Sox Need To Fire Their Medical Staff

I have had just about enough of this Red Sox medical staff. With word coming out today that Buchholz will most likely miss the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his back, one has to wonder why the Red Sox staff didn't catch this almost 2 months ago.

When Wright had this same kind of injury it took two months for him to recover, that means if the Red Sox caught this in the beginning Buchholz would've easily been ready for the playoffs. I wish I could say this is the first Red Sox mistake, but they have been God awful these past few years.

They messed up Ellsbury last year. They have had problems with Pedroia. Only God knows what the hell goes on with Lowrie, but he has complained about them, and even Beckett had back problems last year that they never seemed to be able to get their hands around.

I am sick of this medical staff and I hope they fire all of them. They have had a ton of chances and it's time to get some much better doctors or whatever in here.

5 Red Sox, 3 White Sox

Hopefully with Bedard coming in this will be one of the last times we see Andrew Miller on the bump with Wake keeping his rotation spot.

It's not that Wake is even a better option than Miller, it's just Wake has the potential to go over 5.2 innings. Last night Miller went 5.2 innings, struck out 8 and gave up 10 hits.

Aceves pitched one inning, giving up a walk, to register the win with now a record of 1000-1. Daniel Bard went an 1.1, and Jonathan Papelbon closed her out for his 24th save of the year.

The offense came threw again in the 6th havng us get the 4-3 lead off of reliever Jesse Crain. Adrian, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Marco Scutaro all had multi hit games.

Tonight the Sox are going to welcome Ubaldo Jiminez in his debut.

Let's Get Bedarded in Here

How long before we start seeing "Can't Spell Erik Without a 'K'" T-shirts?

After the Rich Harden deal fell apart due to concerns over his health, the Sox went after another Canadian born pitcher. As part of a three team deal, they acquired Erik Bedard. They dealt C Tim Federowicz, RHP Juan Rodriguez and RHP Stephen Fife to the Dodgers in exchange for minor leaguers OF Trayvon Robinson and OF Chih-Hsien Chiang. The Sox then sent Robinson and Chiang to Seattle for Bedard. Righty Josh Fields was packaged along with Bedard.

Fields was drafted by Seattle with the 20th overall pick of the 2008 draft. He's a 25 year old reliever just promoted from AA to AAA Tacoma.

Bedard is obviously the main event of the deal. The Sox need pitching to fill out their rotation. Buchholz was just placed on the 60 Day DL and his recovery has hit some roadblocks.

Bedard's been plagued by injury problems the past few years. He hasn't tossed a full season of work since 2007. He hasn't even thrown 100+ innings since 2007. He missed the entire 2010 season. And he was sidelines for a month with a sprained left knee. He made his return to Seattle's rotation Friday night, struggling through 1.1 innings and allowing 5 runs.

However, when healthy, he is a legitimate frontline starter. On the season, he has a 4-7 record (remember, this is Seattle, who have saddled Felix Hernandez with a 9-9 record) and a 3.45 ERA. But those numbers don't tell the whole story. He struggled in April, starting the season 0-4 with a 7.71 ERA. Since April 27th, he's gone 4-3 with a 2.34 ERA. That ERA includes his 1.1 inning, 5 run debacle on Friday.

Nine of his last 11 starts have been Quality Starts.

This is a good move. Bedard may end of on the DL by early September, but if he doesn't... Well, he's not just an upgrade over Andrew Miller. He solidifies the top of the Red Sox rotation.

His first start is slated to be Friday night against the Yankees. Welcome to Boston, Mr. Bedard.

-The Commodore

Breaking News: Clay Buchholz Out With Stress Fracture In Back

Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz has a stress fracture in his lower back and will most likely miss the rest of the season, according to a report in Comcast Sports New England.

I knew it, so this also spotlights the Bedard trade. So this means come playoff time we are going to need to go Beckett, Lester, then Bedard/ Lackey... I guess I'm comfortable enough with that. Bedard is pretty good and Lackey could (probably not) turn it around.

There is always a chance that the Sox make an August waiver move too, but I don't see that really happening, especially if our offense keeps carrying us the way it has.

Red Sox @ White Sox Preview

The old knuckleballer is on the hill again tonight, but as good as his 2-0 record seems over his last 3 starts, he hasn't been pitching all that well. he has a 6.50 ERA in that span while allowing 28 hits and receiving 23 runs of support in 18 innings. To make things even tougher on the Wake Chicago won 13 of the last 15 meetings with Boston.

Floyd is 5-0 with a 3.26 ERA in six career starts versus the Red Sox, and he's also been stellar in winning his last two outings. Yet, even with as well as he has been pitching one would have to think the he just hasn't run into an offense like the Red Sox.

Boston has been crushing the ball, and I don't think that will stop tonight. Pedroia homered Thursday to extend his hitting streak to 25 games, and is hitting .404 with nine homers during his streak (has been on base in 37 straight game). Add that to what Ellsbury/Ortiz/Gonzalez have been doing on a nightly basis and I just can't pick against the Sox.

Red Sox win 8-6
Player of the Game: Gonzalez
Game starts at 8:10pm

4 Royals, 3 Sox

Sometimes you split series with Kansas City.

The Sox jumped out to a 2-0 lead on shitty pitcher Luke Hochever, and it seemed as if we were going to cruise to another win. Then Josh Beckett hit a little rough patch a half inning later and gave up the 4 Royals runs.

The Sox just were shut down after that. Adrian Gonzalez and Drew Sutton had multi hit games and Pedroia was able to extend his streak in the 8th with a home run, but other than that.

It happens.

Red Sox Looking To Deal For Erik Bedard

"The Red Sox, reports FOXSports.com, are "all over" M's lefty Erik Bedard and will scout his first start off the disabled list Friday. Boston is not alone, however, as the rival Yankees have interest, too (ESPN)."

Bedard would really help this team right now if he can stay healthy, but that always is a question with Bedard. If the Red Sox could eventually get Buchholz back to 100% and bring in Bedard they would have one filthy rotation heading into the playoffs.

Lester
Beckett
Buchholz
Bedard
Lackey

And since you don't need a 5th starter in the playoffs I would feel fantastic about their chances of winning it all. I agree with what DP said earlier, this might be the best Red Sox team I have ever seen, and they can get this rotation right they will be unstoppable.

More Worry For Buchholz

Clay Buchholz will visit another specialist for his injured back and will not throw off a mound until at least after that meeting. The Red Sox are saying visiting the specialist is just precautionary and not a setback. I said in a post earlier in the week that while the Red Sox seemed to be excited he was able to throw a 30 pitch bullpen session, his comments made me nervous. He said he was still feeling pain in his back, but it was manageable. My question is how much pain would he feel when he was pitching at 100%?

Maybe it is precautionary, but this makes me very nervous. The Red Sox could be having him go see a specialist, so they can get a feel if they need to make a serious move before the trade deadline. Bottom line is that when the playoffs roll around the Red Sox are going to need more then just Lester and Beckett if they are going to win it all, and if they have to rely on the Wake, Lackey, or Miller/Aceves for the #3 spot I will be no where near as confident.

Royals @ Red Sox Preview

When we look back on this season we might sit back and say that the Red Sox have 4 of the top 10 offensive players in the AL. Ellsbury, Gonzalez, and Pedroia are all and the MVP hunt, and it is hard ignore what Ortiz has been doing.

If that wasn't enough for Red Sox to drool over Beckett takes the hill today and he could easily be in the Cy Young race. Beckett is 9-3 with an outstanding 2.07. One our biggest question marks heading into the season is now one of the Red Sox biggest assets.

Going against Beckeet is Luke Hochevar. I feel like we have been waiting for year for this kid to break out. He has the stuff to do it, but is very much an underachiever, which is shown by his pedestrian 6-8 record and 5.29 ERA. The thing that has been real disappointing about him is that most scouts thought he could be a real strikeout pitcher and year only has 66 Ks in 131 innings. To make matters worse for Royals' fans Hockevar has been lit up by the Sox in his career (1-3 7.94 ERA). Plus, the Sox seem to win every day game.

Red Sox win 11-2
Player of the Game: Beckett/Pedroia
Game starts at 1:35pm

12 Sox, 5 Royals

Chicks dig the longball, and that's what the Sox provided last night. Homeruns all around Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Ortiz. Ellsbury and Pedroia lead off the game with back-to-back home runs. Ellsbury is now batting .325 with 17 homers (8th this month) on the season, next Ricky Henderson I tell ya. Pedroia extended his hitting streak to 24 games with the 1st inning homer and had a 3-4 performance. But the biggest home run of the night comes off Papi's bat as he demolished a grand slam for his 20th of the year and 10th of his career. It was also his 1000th of his Red Sox career.

Lackey was Lackey, going 5.2 innings, giving up 11 hits, 4 runs (3 earned) and striking out 3. With our offense hitting the way it is we can make up for the fact John Lackey is on the team.

This is the best Red Sox team I have ever witnessed, hands down.

Royals @ Red Sox Preview

The Royals piled on some runs last night, but the Red Sox offense is just better and Aceves was able to shut them down. The question is who will shut down the Royals tonight if Lackey gets in trouble. That could be the difference in this game.

I hate what I'm about to say, because every time I say it Lackey gets lit up, but... He is pitching better of late. Over his last 3 starts he is 3-0 letting up a total of only 4 runs. Still, if you look close you would notice they were against shit teams (not that the Royals are good), and he let up 21 hits as well over those starts.

Going against him is the surprising Bruce Chen. Chen is 5-3 with a 3.30 ERA, which is impressive on such a bad team, but the wheels are starting to come off as he is 0-3 with a 5.21 ERA over his last 8 appearances.

Even though I have a terrible feeling about Lackey (who has an ERA ranks as the highest in all of baseball among pitchers with at least 90 innings... 6.28) I still can't pick against the Sox with this offense.

Red Sox win 11-6
Player of the Game: Pedroia
Game starts at 7:10pm

13 Red Sox, 9 Royals

Even though Andrew Miller has been John Lackey esk the passed few starts, we won, no harm, no foul. At least we didn't have to put OF Mitch Maier to pitch for us. Let me rant for a second about Andrew Miller. Miller kind of sucks, sure he is 4-1 with a 4.65 era but I would rather have Aceves start than him. Miller constantly is in trouble, and constantly has short outings making us use our bullpen. I believed that Miller could be the next big thing for us, but at the end of the day he's just a waste of a roster spot. Should have let the Yankees grab him, but we should also thank the Yankees for giving us a disaster specialist in Alfredo Aceves. I don't know where the Sox would be without him. Other than Beckett he's been our 2nd most impressive pitcher all year.

Our 3-4-5 hitters were on point as they went 10-13 and drove in eight runs. Pedroia flirted with a cycle in the eighth. He hit a line drive but it was caught in front of the monster. Pedey is hitting .429 in the cleanup spot this season.

Royals @ Red Sox Preview

The Red Sox offense didn't show up last night, but I can't see that being the case again tonight. The Royals send youngster Danny Duffy to the hill. This will be his first start against Boston, but is coming off one of his strongest starts when he went 7 innings allowing 2 runs against the White Sox.

The Red Sox counter with Andrew Miller, which could be good news for Boston as they are 5-1 in games in which Miller has started. One thing he needs to do though is cut down on his walks. Last time out he let up 6 walks in 5 2/3 innings, which is a big reason why his start was cut short. If he can do that I could see him going deep into this game.

Boston should win this game, and I think last night was just a hiccup, it happens from time to time and the Red Sox were due for a slow game after how hot they have been.

Youk will not be playing tonight, as he recovers from a tight hamstring suffered in the 8th inning of last night's game.

Red Sox win 7-3
Player of the Game: Pedroia
Game starts at 7:10pm

Buchholz Progressing

Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz, on the disabled list since mid-June due to a muscle strain in his lower back, threw 30 pitches off a bullpen mound -- his first session off a mound since the end of June in Philadelphia -- and proclaimed the session to represent a significant marker in his progress back to the rotation. Buchholz threw a "short box" session, in which the catcher sits in front of home plate, and suggested that he got through the session with only minor soreness that he was quickly able to manage.

"This is I think the biggest step in the right direction so far in this process," said Buchholz. "There was still a little soreness coming off after I threw. Sat down for about 10 minutes, did a couple stretches and it felt better (WEEI)."

As well as the Red Sox are playing they are going to need Buchholz if they are going to have any chance of winning it all. Beckett and Lester can get them so far, but in the playoffs having a 3rd good pitcher is huge. I have to admit this update does not make me overly optimistic. Why is he still having soreness? I mean he only threw 30 pitches, and he is still feeling soreness in his back. That can't be a good sign. What happens when he pitches in a game and pushes it? Or if he is in a game and it's raining and it tightens? Sorry, but this doesn't sound good and I am starting to get worried. I hope the Sox are right and this is a step in the right direction, but it doesn't sound all that good to me.

3 Royals, 1 Sox, Marco Scutaro Blows

When can we cut Marco Scutaro. He's one of the worst players in baseball and he costed the Sox another game. He was asked to do a simple task which is bunt the ball. Instead he got a single and tried stretching it to a double and got thrown out. He is a veteran player, not paying attention to signs is inexcusable. This was in the 12th inning too, thanks Marco.

On a positive note, Jon Lester looked pretty good. He went 5.1 innings, let up 7 hits, 1 er and 6ks. We desperately need him back and in good shape going forward as our pitching staff is a mash unit.

Shitty loss, cut Scutaro.

Royals @ Red Sox Preview

The Red Sox have won 9 in a row at Fenway Park, and are lightning it up against these terrible teams. Yet another one heads to Fenway, and this time it's the Royals. The Royals started off the year well, but have gone back to their sucking ways and are once again in last place.

To make matters worse for the Royals Jon Lester is back and he has crushed the them in his career going 4-1 with a 1.22 ERA. Meanwhile, the Sox go against Kyle Davies who has been especially bad on the road this season, posting a 9.35 ERA, even though he is 2-0 against Boston in his career.

The Sox have won 17 of 20 games in July. That's just silly, and they are going to pound this team tonight. Look for Ellsbury to have another huge night tonight as he has a .462 BA with 3 HRs and 7 RBIs in the last 7 days, and let's be honest Davies is only going to help those numbers.

Red Sox win 10-2
Player of the Game: Ellsbury
Game starts at 7:10pm