4 Sox, 0 Orioles

Andrew Miller won the game, if you took awak the 6 walks he had a great stat line, but he finished with 5 2/3 innings, giving up 2 hits, 6 walks, and striking out 3. Albers, Bard and Papelbon combined for 3 1/3 innings of hit-less relief. This is the most amount of walks a Red Sox pitcher has allowed since....... Matt Clement(remember that guy? He was an All Star for us).

Jacoby Ellsbury provided half of the scoring for the Sox, by hitting 2 solo home runs in his 2-for-4 day. Ells is now 3rd on the Sox with 15 Homers, he's turning into a modern day Rickey Henderson. So much for Gonzo's slump as he burst out of it going 4-5 from the DH spot. I like that move from Terry, he surprisingly did something right. Carl Crawford had another good game, going 2-for-3, with a double and a stolen base.

Another win against the lowly Orioles

Sox vs Orioles Preview

Starting Pitchers

Boston: Miller (3-1, 5.68 ERA)

Baltimore: Arrieta (9-6, 5.10 ERA)

How I see it going down:
Last night was a tough loss, but even a blind squirrel finds a nut from time to time. Tonight the Sox send out Andrew Miller who hasn't been that impressive recently. His ERA has skyrocketed and the guy that everyone has been fawning over hasn't worked out that great. However, the Orioles suck and Jake Arrieta sucks, so that means the Sox will win.

Adrian hasn't been playing great since the break and a serving of Jake Arrieta will be the medicine he needs. I guarantee A Gon will hit a homer during the first AB he sees.

Winning Pitcher: Miller
Tommy Award: A Gon
Score: Sox 7-2

6 Orioles, 2 Sox

Well you can't win them all.

My boy Jeremy Guthrie shut down the Sox as he went 7, scattering 8 hits and giving up 2 runs and improved his unfair record to 4-13.

Kyle Weiland didn't have a bad outing either, it was much improved from his last start, he went 6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K.

And right when I'm about to proclaim Alfredo Aceves was the best middle reliever I have ever seen and Theo's best move this offseason... Boom. Give up a 2 run jack to Derek Lee and a solo hr to Mark Reynolds in the 8th.

Salty has been cruising as he hit another HR, and Gonzo has gotten off to a slow start from the all star break going 2 for 21.

Sox vs Orioles Preview

Starting Pitchers

Boston: Weiland (0-0, 13.50 ERA)

Baltimore: Guthrie (3-13, 4.45 ERA)

How I see it going down:
Kyle Weiland can't worse than he was last game out. I am seeing him actually having a quality start this game. He has some good stuff and good movement on the ball, so with a major league game under his belt already he puts it together. Also, Weiland was accused of intentionally hitting Vladimir Guerrero who is now on the DL, so if any game were to break out in a bean ball war, this would be it.

Jeremy Guthrie is one of my favorite players, he's a good player on an awful awful team and has been for years now. If you remember back a few years ago the come back on mothers day, Jeremy Guthrie was the dominant pitcher before the Sox came back on the O's pen. So I'm going to say he keeps the Sox at bay by yielding only 4 runs in 6 innings.

Winning Pitcher: Kyle Weiland (7 innings, 2 runs, 4 ks)
Tommy Award: Adrian Gonzo
Sox win 4-2

15 Sox, 10 Rays

If anyone asks, Yes, It's as fun as it looks to be a Red Sox fan.

While some pussy pitcher from Philly is asking to be taken out of the game because it's too hot, the Sox are scoring 8 runs in the 8th inning to put the dagger into the lowly Orioles.

Well actually pick it up in the 8th when the score was tied at 7 (My Wakefield prediction was a little off as he got blown up for 7 runs, 3 earned). Pedroia kicked off the party in the 8th by knocking in the 1st 2 runs of the inning, not only going 2-5 for the day but extending his hit streak to 16.

Everyone in the line up produced, except for JD Drew who had another hitless game, but that's expected at this point. Carl Crawford in his day back went 2-5 with an RBI and there were no signs of the leg bothering him. The Sox went 7-17 with runners in scoring position, had 16 hits and 2 solo shots from Salty and Josh Reddick.

Another great win.

Red Sox vs Orioles Preview

Starting Pitchers

Boston: Wakefield (5-3, 4.74 ERA)

Baltimore: Bergesen (1-6, 5.65 ERA)

How I see it playing out:
Since the Sox are cruising and the Orioles blow donkey balls it's pretty clear that the Red Sox will win this one. I know we have the Tim Wakefield factor in this and he could give up some runs, however, we luck out as his counterpart Brad Bergesen sucks and may be the worst SP behind John Lackey.

The key to this game is to go far. The Bullpen was used a lot last night and we really need them to get a night off, so hopefully can pull one of his 8 IP, 7 hit, 2 er, 4 K games out of his ass.

Also, this is the first game that Carl Crawford is back. Many people are saying that he has been a failure so far, and although his early season struggles he was starting to put it together before the injury. I like Carl and think he has a monster 2nd half.

All of this is in wake of the beanball fest that took place a week and a half ago. Papi will be out the next 3 games for his suspension and that's a good thing. With Papi out there is no real reason for the Orioles to peg anyone, even though Youk could get hit as he always seems to get pegged.

Unlike BMack I refuse to be reasonable when it comes to picking the score and will never have the hometown team lose.

Winning pitcher: The Wake
Tommy Award: Carl Crawford
Score: 8- 2 Sox

8 Sox, 6 Orioles

Remember when the Orioles started off the year really hot and Fuck Showalter decided to open his giant trap and go after Theo and the Sox? Yea, that was a while ago, now they are where we thought they would be, nestled in comfortably in the basement of the AL East.

Sure there were the fireworks that happened friday, but the Sox basically beat the living shit out of the Orioles. the passed 2 days. Last night with the MASH starting unit we have, the Sox decided to hand the ball to Kyle Weiland a kid who in AAA had a 3 era with about 90 ks in 90 innings. So you know, he could be good.

Instead in 4 innings he let up 8 hits, 6 runs and got knocked around pretty bad in the 2nd. To his credit he was able to save the bullpen a little as he went 2 more shut out innings. Alfredo Aceves got the win, with throwing 3 shutout innings after.

Luckily for the Sox the Orioles also turned to a rookie pitcher who promptly gave up 6 runs in 1.2 innings, then the Sox scattered 2 runs over the next 7.1 innings.

As of the offense the top 4 hitters in the line up all had multi hit games as well as Queeratek.

Good series to have before the All Star break.

Baby Ortiz

On Friday night, David Ortiz found himself in the middle of a beanball battle, and I'm sorry, but he was the baby of the group. All laundry aside, he charged the mound because someone told him to run to first base instead of jog casually to his dugout. Really? That reminds me of Gerald Williams in 2000, charging the mound because Pedro spat in his general direction. Is that all it takes for these overly sensitive prima donna hitters to make a move toward the pitcher?

Know what, Ortiz got thrown at. Belt high. And he threw a hissy fit. As so many hitters have thrown so many times the last decade and a half. It's become an insult if a pitcher dares try to reclaim the inside of the plate, especially against a hulking lefty.

Sorry folks, but Gregg went about things the right way. He aimed for Ortiz's fleshy middle section, missed, and then got the stare down. Then it happened again. Ortiz's temper tantrum over inside pitching is just the latest example of hitters acting like spoiled babies who think the entire plate belongs to them.

And as far as the Red Sox go, I want Ortiz leaning over the plate. He's a better hitter when he takes control over that territory. But I'm not going to defend him when he acts like a baby because someone pitched inside to him. Especially not when it's all well below the skull. And I'm not going to praise his pugilistic prowess because he threw a mighty hook/uppercut that completely missed (because he was off-balance. Mick from Rocky would have tied a rope between his ankles).

Ortiz fights about as well as he fields. The Orioles actually pitched him inside. Something the Yankees have never had the stones to do. And I'm not going to criticize another team for following the basic fundamental principles of pitching. I also think Ortiz charging the mound for something as trivial as Gregg's gestures is beyond childish. Ortiz threw a temper tantrum, we here in Boston are praising him for it, but I think he acted like a spoiled baby.

-The Commodore

Orioles @ Red Sox Preview

Look out MLB the Red Sox are rolling again. After a tough NL road trip the Red Sox have returned to where they belong and have taken back 1st place from the Yankees. Last night the Sox did it with the long ball hitting 6 homeruns, I hope they keep it going because it seems like Beckett never gets any run support (5.3 runs per game, but only 3.48 when Beckett is pitching).

Even without the run support Beckett has been the Red Sox best starting pitcher going 7-3 with an amazing 2.12 ERA. If that wasn't impressive enough he is even better at home (2-0 with a 1.17 ERA in six outings). Funny to think we were all worrying about Beckett as much or more then we were with Lackey.

This will be Bitton's 2nd start against the Sox and he did very well in his first start one run in six innings. I have been really impressed with his kid and think he is the real deal. He keeps the ball on the ground with his sinker and that has led him to a 6-6 record with a 3.47 ERA, which is pretty damn impressive for a rookie.

Britton is going to have his work cut out for him though with the way the Sox are hitting the ball, and even though he is a lefty Ellsbury is hitting the cover off the ball (.440 2 HRs 11 RBI in the last 7 days), so he better be careful.

Red Sox win 6-2
Player of the Game: Pedroia
Game starts at 7:10pm

10 Sox, 4 Orioles

Last night was home run derby against Baltimore and more importantly moved back into 1st place.

The 7th inning was fun to watch as the Sox hit half of their 6 home runs. The 7th featured back to back to back home runs with David Ortiz's solo-homer, followed by Josh Reddick, and then finished with Salty. Pedroia hit the first home run of the game in the third then A Gon hit a solo shot in the 5th, giving the Red Sox the 5-3 lead. Ellsbury continued his hot streak, hitting a monster 2-run home run to right in the 6th.

With the huge offensive explosion 1 person didn't record a hit, want a clue..... his name rhymes with poo.

Andrew Miller had a weird game, he went 5 didn't K anyone and let up 3 ers.

Oh well we're back in 1st place.

Oriloes @ Red Sox Preview

The Red Sox had a great comeback last night, and this offense is rolling, but tonight could be a lot more difficult with Britton on the hill for Baltimore and the Wake trying to hold it together for the Red Sox. Britton has faced the Red Sox once in his career, but he looked damn strong going 6 innings allowing only 1 run, plus he is 5-2 with a 2.42 ERA. This is a different Boston offense then it was on April 26th, so hopefully they can light him up.

This will be Wakefield's third start of the season and last time out he was hit hard, allowing 8 runs, 9 hits and 4 walks in 4 1/3 innings. For Sox fans you hope Wakefield can go 5 innings and allow no more then 4 runs. That's really what you are asking for from the 44 year old.

It will be tough to score on Britton, but I do think they can wear him out, and we saw just how bad the Orioles bullpen is last night. So, I think the Sox might have to comeback in this game, but I do think they can win.

Red Sox win 7-5
Player of the Game: Youk
Game starts at 7:10pm

Red Sox 8 Orioles 7

The Red Sox were down 6-0 in the 6th inning. Dice-K had one of "typical" games letting up 5 ER in 4 1/4 walking 7 batters and throwing 106 pitches. The Red Sox offense looked stagnant, and it just seemed like it was going to be a blowout loss.

Yet, it was the Sox offense that kicked into high gear and crushed their way back into the game. Boston scored 5 runs in the 6th inning with Lowrie, Tek, Gonzalez, and Youk all driving in runs. These hopes seemed to be dashed Mark Reynolds too Aceves deep in the top of the 7th, but once again Tek knocked in another run in the bottom of the inning.

By the way Tek is hitting almost .400 over the last 8 days.

Yet, tonight it was Gonzalez once again who put this team on his back. Smacked a ball off the Green Monster driving in 2 runs to put the Red Sox above .500 for the first time all year.

The Sox offense is getting going, but they haven't hit their peak yet. Wait till Youk and Pedroia really start rolling. I am a little worried about the rotation with Lackey going to the DL, and Dice-K doing normal up and down thing, but this team is going to be able to smash the ball most nights, and will never be really out of a game.

With the win the Red Sox are in a 3 way tie for 2nd place in the AL East, just 3 games behind the Rays.

Oriloes @ Red Sox Preview

The Red Sox are finally a .500 baseball team, after sweeping the Yankees the Red Sox are riding high. Everything seems to be coming into place for the Sox, they are hitting and get decent outings from their starting pitchers (the exception of that assclown Lackey). Tonight, it's Tillman vs. Dice-K.

You never know what you are going to get from Dice-K, but overall I think he has been turning the corner. He let up three runs in the first inning last time out, but was able to settle down and give the Sox 6 strong innings. If he can pitch 6 innings each time out, and let up no more then 4 runs I'll take that every time from Dice-K. On the season he is 3-3 with a 4.64 ERA. Although I feel good about Dice-K you have to be worried about his numbers against the Orioles going 4-3 with a 5.73 ERA including 1-2 with a 7.56 ERA in three starts last year.

Tillman was a praised prospect that really hasn't panned out year for Baltimore, though he is coming off his best start of the season going 6 innings allowing 1 run on three hits. Still, he is 2-3 with a 6.15 ERA, so one would think Boston could do some damage tonight with the way they have been hitting.

Red Sox win 7-4
Player of the Game: Gonzalez
Game starts at 7:10pm

6 Red Sox, 2 Baltimore

It was a good game to win with the Sox losing the 2 previous games against the Orioles. The Sox had their the 2nd best pitcher on the mound and he rewarded the team with a great outing. After a shaky start Jon Lester was able to straighten out he yielded two runs on four hits, walked three and struck out five in 8 innings to go 3-1 on the year.

As for the offense it has been good to see Adrian starting to hit left and right. He went 3-5 with 2 rbis, Jacoby Ellsbury re payed the Sox for the lead off spot by going 3-5 with 2 rbis.

They went 6-3 on the road trip which is pretty good figuring they went 0-7 last road trip. They come home tonight to take on the Mariners.

Box Score

Red Sox @ Orioles Preview

Nothing has been going right for the Red Sox this series. Their starting pitching (Beckett/Buchholz) hasn't been sharp, they aren't scoring runs, and even their bullpen has let them down.

Tonight we get the Red Sox ace Jon Lester on the hill, and one would hope he will do what an "ace" does, and that's stop losing streaks. Lester has never lost to the Orioles, he is currently 13-0 with a 2.33 ERA against them, which is pretty incredible. Against Lester will be Brad Bergesen, who is terrible (0-3 5.40). If the Red Sox don't crush him tonight you really have to question what the hell is wrong with their lineup.

I see a blowout tonight, and I think Lester will throw a gem, because...well he always does against the Orioles.

Red Sox 6-1
Player of the Game: Lester/Ortiz
Game starts at 7:05pm

5 Baltimore, 4 Red Sox

Well that was a little bit of a kick in the nuts. After the Bruins won in OT, you thought that the magic would work with the Sox, especially since they were able to tie a 4-0 deficit thanks to a Gonzalez RBI and a Youk 3 run homerun in the 8th.

But then Nick Markakis opened the Baltimore eighth with a single off Daniel Bard, and Derrek Lee followed with a single to left. Both moved up on a passed ball by Jason Queeratek, and with Guerrero at the plate, Markakis was thrown out trying to score on a pitch that passed the Captain again. Vlad then bounced the ball passed the pitcher, the Orioles took the 5-4 lead and that was all the Orioles needed.

Beckett regressed a little from his stellar starts by letting up 4 runs, 7 hits, in 6 innings. I wouldn't look too much into it, shit happens. Also, I hate losing to the Rex Ryan of baseball Buck Showalter, I hope he goes to the hell.

Box Score

Red Sox @ Orioles Preview

The Red Sox got exposed last night by yet another left hander last night, the good news is tongiht they go against a righty. I don't feel like I have been able to say that a lot this year, but Jeremy Guthrie on the hill I expect the Red Sox lineup to come alive. Not just because he is a righty, but because he is 1-7 against the Sox with a 4.94 ERA.

Beckett is on the hill for Boston, and he has been fucking awesome this year (2-1 1.93 ERA), if he is back to being the old Beckett the Sox (and their fans) are in for a treat tonight. Overall Beckett has had pretty good success against Baltimore going 6-3 with a 3.53 ERA). I think tonight you are going to see a bunch of strikeouts for Beckett, because the Orioles have a bunch of guys that are "free swingers" (Vlad, Reynolds, Lee, Jones, ect).

Boston bounced back tonight with a big win, and I am hoping to see the long ball tonight for guys like Ortiz and Gonzalez.

Red Sox win 8-1
Player of the Game: Beckett/Gonzalez
Game starts at 7:05pm

4 Orioles, 1 Red Sox

It's not like Zack Britton pitched a great game against the Sox he pitched 6 innings let up 5 hits, 1er, 2bb, 2ks but he kept the red hot Red Sox offense at bay. He became the first rookie starter in franchise history to win four games in April. He has an impressive 2.84 ERA and owns nearly half of Baltimore's nine victories this year. Meanwhile, Clay Buchholz continues to struggle this year as he let up 12 hits and 4 runs in 6.2 innings.

Adam Jones drove in two runs for the Orioles, who won for only the third time in 14 games, and Vladimir Guerrero had his first three-hit game since coming to Baltimore as a free agent during the offseason.

Youk drove in the only run for the Sox. It was a pretty boring game to be honest.

MLB Preview: Baltimore Orioles

2010 Record: 66-96

Offense:
2B Brian Roberts
RF Nick Markakis
1B Derrek Lee
DH Vladimir Guerrero
LF Luke Scott
3B Mark Reynolds
CF Adam Jones
C Matt Wieters
SS J.J. Hardy

I really like this offense for this year. They have a lot of old guys mixed with some potential guys. Obviously if Brian Roberts can stay healthy that certainly helps but he's just never healthy. I'm going to refuse to say if Nick Markakis can bring his game to another level because I feel like his time has passed and he's never going to be a 30/110 guy, he will hit you around 20 homeruns and 80-90 RBIs. Derek Lee and Vlad in the middle can be a great heart of the order if healthy, both are capable of getting 20+ and 80+. Mark Reynolds will hit 40 homeruns but hit .220, Adam Jones can hopefully turn into the player he was once projected to be and Matt Weiters is not and will never be "Joe Mauer with the power" but maybe he can be more consistent on the offensive end. This will be what carries the Orioles.

Pitching:
RHP Jeremy Guthrie
LHP Brian Matusz
RHP Justin Duchscherer
RHP Brad Bergesen
RHP Jake Arrieta
CL: Koji Uehara

All of these guys are question marks. I like Guthrie but he's more of a 3 or 4 then a 1, Matusz pitched well late last season but has been god awful this spring and Duchsherer, Bergesen, Arrieta all make me want to throw up. I'm more excited for Zack Britton in their minors than seeing any of these guys. Britton should be in the starting rotation by May because Duchscherer will do his token injured for the rest of the season act.

Overall:
I think they improve with that offense, but their pitching staff is gross.

75-87

Everyone Shut Up, Buck Showalter Has Something To Say

Here is an unnecessary rant from Buck Showalter:

"The first time we went to Yankee Stadium, I screamed at Derek Jeter from the dugout," Showalter said in Men's Journal, according to the Bergen Record. "Our guys are thinking, 'Wow, he's screaming at Derek Jeter.' Well, he's always jumping back from balls just off the plate. I know how many calls that team gets -- and yes, he [ticks] me off."

Speaking about the Red Sox, Showalter mocked the notion that Epstein's biggest offseason acquisitions -- namely, left fielder Carl Crawford and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez -- were indicative of the Red Sox GM's savvy.

"I'd like to see how smart Theo Epstein is with the Tampa Bay [Rays] payroll," Showalter told Men's Journal, according to the Record. "You got Carl Crawford 'cause you paid more than anyone else, and that's what makes you smarter? That's why I like whipping their butt. It's great, knowing those guys with the $205 million payroll are saying, 'How the hell are they beating us?'"

Couple things on this. 1. You realize that you're the coach of the Orioles right? You had a great second half coaching them last year, but you realize this is a full year against the AL East? 2. Shut up about Theo and using the payroll as an excuse? That's one of the things I'll even defend the Yankees about too. If you're fortunate to make more money then other teams and you use the money that your team and owners have earned, so be it. Who cares, I'd rather have management that spends money than doesn't. It's not Theo's fault that we make a buttload of money and uses what is given to him. If you have an issue with this blame MLB and the lack of a salary cap.
3. Buck is trying to do a Rex Ryan thing right now, so if we all ignore him he will go away and realize he's coaching the Orioles and realize he's out of the playoffs by May.