Brett Anderson To Get Tommy John

Brett Anderson looked rough when he went against the Red Sox, and now we might know why. Reports say that Anderson thinks he may need Tommy John. It is really odd to actually hear from from a player, but for a player to come out and say this you would have to think it is true. I actually really hope it's not because I am a big fan of Brett Anderson.

If it is true then obviously he will be out for the rest of the season. This could cause the A's to start a fire sale. Usually there are a bunch of starting pitchers sent out the door, but I don't think this will be the case. Guys like Coco Crisp, Josh Willingham, and bullpen guys (Balfour, ect) would be the ones on the chopping block. Grant Balfour could be a guy who would interest the Red Sox, but we will have to wait and see if Anderson's theory is correct.

A's 8 Red Sox 6

This game really pissed me off. Penny was terrible letting up 5 runs in the first inning. I literally sat down and Penny threw his first pitch which was a HR to Adam Kennedy....I knew it was going to be a long night.

Boston fought back and scored 3 runs of their own in the bottom of the 1st off a Mike Lowell HR, but even though Penny settled down for a couple innings he ended up letting up another 2 runs and the game was out of reach.

The difference in the game was that youngster Brett Anderson showed more composure then Brad Penny. Anderson had 1 bad inning then was pretty much flawless from that point on. Bay and Youk combined to go 0-8 with 7 Ks, which is completely unacceptable.

I don't know what is wrong with the Sox right now. The night they hit their pitching gives out. When Beckett or Lester have a great game the bullpen implodes or the offense doesn't show up. The hope is that this is all just a bump in the road, but it is becoming alarming, almost like the Sox forgot how to put a complete game together (or how to win).

With the loss the Sox fall to 3 1/2 games behind the Yankees for 1st place in the AL East.

A's 6 Red Sox 0

Before we talk about the game I just wanted to say it was real classy of Sox fans to give Nomar a standing ovation...

The Red Sox only had 2 hits in this game, as Brett Anderson looked like a stud. Anderson has all the tools be a top pitcher in this league, he is just very young. Well last night we saw what he is capable of as he pitched 9 innings of shutout baseball on way to his 5th win of the season.

Boston looked terrible at the plate. They didn't have Pedroia, who had to be with his pregnant wife, and we all know the Sox are already playing without Lowell. The 3 big hitters (Youk, Bay, Ortiz) in the Sox lineup last night went a combined 1-11. When a lineup is shorthanded you really need your stars to step up, and the Sox stars fell right on their face last night.

Smoltz had another miserable outing letting up 5 runs on 10 hits in 6 innings. He doesn't seem to want to pitch to the inside of these hitters, which is a sign that he doesn't have faith in the velocity on his fastball. Smoltz is now 0-2 with a 6.60 ERA through 3 starts. Oakland is not a strong lineup and I have to say I was disappointed with Smoltz. I said I would give him 6 starts before I gave a true evaluation, but you have to wonder how long the Sox will go with him instead of Buchholz, who is tearing up the minor leagues.

The good news is that the Yankees lost too so the Sox are still up 1 game in the AL East.

Matt Holliday To A's

Matt Holliday appears headed to the Oakland Athletics in a deal with the Colorado Rockies, baseball sources have told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick and Buster Olney.

Final details are being finalized, though the teams have agreed to terms, a baseball source told Olney. The source said the deal may not be finalized for up to 48 hours.

The deal is also pending completion of physical exams.

Although the package coming back to Colorado has yet to be determined, it's believed that pitcher Greg Smith was one of the players under discussion, as was left-handed pitcher Brett Anderson.

This is a steal for the A's if they can sign him longterm. Holliday is one of the best outfielders in baseball and helps the A's offense tenfold. I was hoping the Sox would go after him, but it looks like the A's struck first. This instantly gives the A's a face of the franchise for a really long time. Greg Smith is going to be a really good pitcher and I don't know much about Brett Anderson.