Red Sox @ Tigers Preview

The Red Sox are probably wishing they could play another day game, since they have scored 28 runs the last two days, but right now it doesn't seem like anything can stop them.

Tonight we get the Wake vs. Rick Porcello. Porcello has had a nice bounce back year so far (4-2 3.08 ERA. He doesn't strikeout a lot of guys, but he makes you swing by being able to nibble. Porcello is 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA in his last six starts, but maybe that's what fires up the Sox. It seems like every time the Sox play a good pitcher (or one that is "hot") they explode.

The Wake has done a good job for the Sox so far. Wakefield is 10-3 with a 3.51 ERA in his last 14 starts versus the Tigers, so hopefully he can keep that up. Wake is a tough guy to project. He could go in and pitch 6 strong innings and the knuckleball will be dancing, or it won't and he could last 2 innings. I'll take the middle ground and say we get 5 innings from Wake allowing 2-3 runs.

Red Sox win 7-5
Player of the Game: Gonzalez
Game starts at 7:05pm

Red Sox 14 Tigers 1

Boy was I wrong. I thought that Scherzer would be able to slow down the Red Sox offense, instead they lit him up for 7 runs in 2 innings. This game (much the game before) was over before it started.

Ellsbury hit a 3 run HR, and Crawford went 4-5 with 3 RBIs. Speaking of Crawford he is now batting .244, which is just .003 behind Pedroia in batting average. I wonder if a change in the lineup with will happen? I say not yet, but certainly something they will start looking at in a month or so, because right now they are so hot I wouldn't change anything.

Alfredo Aceves was very good once again, which has me thinking if we actually even want Lackey back. Anyways, he was great letting up just 1 runs over 6 innings strikingout out 6 batters.

Boston has won 11 of 13, and are tied for 1st place with the Yankees in the AL East. It's been an incredible turnaround, and if they can figure out their bullpen issues they could be unstoppable.

Red Sox @ Tigers Preview

The Red Sox needed a laugher and they got one yesterday blowing the doors off the Indians. Boston has been on fire playing .676 baseball since that 2-10 start, as Rob pointed out earlier. Now they head to Detriot.

Wow, can't believe the Sox are playing back-to-back day games. I really love day games and I miss there were more of them. Anyways, it's Aceves vs. Scherzer today. Scherzer has only let up 5 ER over his last 4 starts. On the season he is 6-1 with a 2.98 ERA. In short, the Sox could be in for a long day.

Alfredo Aceves is getting his 2nd start since filling in for Lackey/Dice-K. In his last start he held the Cubs to one run and three hits over five innings, so we really can't complain.

I like Aveces, but I really don't like this matchup. I know the Sox have been beating the best pitchers, but I just don't see it today. Basically I am rooting for rain.

Tigers win 5-3
Player of the Game: Cabrera
Game starts at 1:05pm

4 Red Sox, 3 Tigers

Clutch Crawford everyone.

That's his nickname and I'm sticking to it. BMack will obviously not support the nickname because he hates any idea I come up with mainly because he hates me, but how can you disagree. This man has won us 4 games this year, 3 with his bat and 1 with his legs and I have zero complaints with his contract, batting average, or what you pink hats consider lack of production.

To the game itself.
We were cruising, Josh Beckett was having another super game 6 innings, 1er and 3ks, but the Sox took him out of the game as a precaution for a tweaked neck..... pussy. The more in more he pitches, the more and more I'm starting to believe this Bard isn't what he's all cracked up to be. He immediately let up bombs to Brandon Boesch and Miggy. If it was me, I would not expect him to be the next closer of this club. After Papelbon had a scoreless but interesting inning Crawford hit the bases loaded walk off for the win.

Clutch Crawford, Dueling Couches did it again, now time for all the other sites to start copying us.

Tigers @ Red Sox Preview

It's too bad the Bruins are playing tonight, because this is a hell of a pitching matchup at Fenway tonight. Beckett is going against Verlander. We all know Verlander already has a no-hitter this season (2nd of his career) and is 4-3 with a 2.91 ERA. Beckett has been pretty damn good in his own right, sure he hasn't thrown a no-hitter, but if I told you he was going to be 3-1 with a 1.75 ERA I think you'd be damn pleased.

Beckett hasn't lost since his April 5 season debut, he has kept his walks down (15) while being able to have a lot of strikeouts (49 in 51 1/3 innings). The key has been his secondary pitches. Beckett has gotten away from just trying to out power everyone. It's really about time, because his secondary stuff is some of the best in the majors. Plus, it makes his fastball look so much better, when players just can't sit on it.

The Sox have been rolling, I know the offense didn't do much last night, but overall they have looked real good. I think they keep going tonight, and in this battle of Cy Young candidates.

Red Sox win 4-1
Player of the Game: Beckett/Youk
Game starts at 7:10pm

1 Boston, 0 Detroit

Jarrod Saltalamacchia came through after the 26 minute rain delay, with a big wall ball double in the 8th to drive in Clutch Crawford from first. That's about all that happened and we beat the Tigers 1-0.

It was a pitchers duel last night between Clay Buchholz and the Tigers Phil Coke. Clay pitched great although he threw 127 pitchers. He gave up 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 7. Bard picked up the win after pitching a perfect 8th. Papelbon made it interesting after giving up a leads off double to Victor Martinez, who was pinch run for by Andy Dirks. Dirks was stranded at 3rd after Pap retired the next 3 batters to get his 8th save.

The rain definitely benefited the Red Sox as it took Phil Coke off the mound. He was absolutely cruising and had only thrown 78 pitches through 7 innings.

The Sox are now 22-20 and have won 5 straight.

Tigers @ Red Sox Preview

Whether permitting we will see Clay Buchholz vs. Phil Coke. The Sox kinda got lucky with the rainout, so they don't need to trot out Wake to the mound. Buchholz went 1-0 with a 1.26 ERA in 2 starts vs Detroit last year, allowing just 5 hits in 14 1/3 innings. Clay is starting to get it rolling he has won each of his last 3 starts and didn't let up more then 2 runs in any of those starts. With the way the Sox offense is playing that's great news.

Coke is 0-3 with a 5.96 ERA since beating Oakland on April 14 for his 1 and only win. His transition from reliever to starter has been rocky, which is actually too bad, because I was a believer that it was going to work. Coke is going to have a tough time against a Red Sox lineup that is rolling, even though he is a lefty. Gonzalez and Youk has combined 5 HRs and 17 RBIs in the last 7 days. When they are clicking, and Ellsbury playing the way he is right now the Sox are unstoppable.

Red Sox win 9-2
Player of the Game: Youk
Game starts at 7:10pm......hopefully.

Fuck You Brad Penny

God dammit Brad Penny is a lucky son of a bitch. His wife karina Smirnoff did some playboy pictures here's 1, follow the link for the rest. His resume is pretty impressive Eliza Dushku and Alyssa Milano.

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MLB Preview: Detroit Tigers

2010 Record: 81-81

Offense:
Projected Lineup/Projected Stats
Austin Jackson, CF- .285/4 HR/55 RBI
Magglio Ordonez, RF- .295/16 HR/65 RBI
Victor Martinez, DH- .305/20 HR/85 RBI
Miguel Cabrera, 1B- .325/36 HR/120 RBI
Brennan Boesch, LF- .260/15 HR/60 RBI
Carlos Guillen, 2B- .255/10 HR/55 RBI
Brandon Inge, 3B- .235/18 HR/50 RBI
Jhonny Peralta, SS- .265/15 HR/65 RBI
Alex Avila, C- .260/8 HR/45 RBI

I like this line up but it hinges on the fat, drunk toad Miggy. If he can go back to putting up MVP type stats they will be great. He will provide protection to Victor which will go very far. Magglio is a year older, but he can produce, I know the projections say only 65 RBIs, but I see that more around 80. Also if young Austin Jackson can build on his good year last year that will be a dangerous threat and a cheap way to get runs at the top of the line up.

Pitching:
Projected Rotation/Projected Stats
Justin Verlander- 18-8/3.40 ERA/230 K
Max Scherzer- 15-9/3.60 ERA/195 K
Rick Porcello- 14-10/3.95 ERA/120 K
Brad Penny- 8-10/4.80 ERA/90 K
Phil Coke- 5-9/5.20 ERA/70 K
Jose Valverde- 2.85 ERA/30 Saves

I like Verlander, I like Scherzer, but the rest of the rotation is a giant question mark. Rick Rocello regressed a lot last year and we saw how Brad Penny could potentially be in the AL. Although Brad is one of my favorite players of all time, I just don't see him having an era under 5. Phil Coke is an interesting choice as well, I could see him being a break out guy or I could see him being a complete bust. Either way if Penny or Coke start struggling then Jacob Turner will get his chance.

Overall:
A strong team for sure and should have a better year then last year, but I don't think it will be enough to overthrow the White Sox or Twins.

85-77

Tigers Cabrera Enters Rehab

"Miguel Cabrera arrived at spring training Thursday for the first time since he was arrested last week on suspicion of drunken driving and promptly apologized as Major League Baseball said he will undergo treatment set up by doctors administered by management and its players' union." ESPN

Baseball is a weird sport where if you can show up and play and be a coke head, booze bag, or anything else it's cool. The only thing we're against is steroids. Miggy says he's entering rehab for his comical DUI arrest a couple weeks ago, but we all know he's not going to quit drinking, he's not going to be a gym rat, and he will be Manny Ramirez esk and rely on his talents to carry him. However, I think he can do it.

The Tigers will have an interesting year, because both the White Sox and the Twins have better teams.

Miguel Cabrera Charged With DUI

"Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera has been arrested on drunken driving charges in Florida. The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office said the 27-year-old's car engine was smoking alongside a road late Wednesday when a deputy spotted the vehicle.

According to the arrest report, Cabrera smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and took a swig from a bottle of Scotch in front of a deputy. Police say Cabrera repeatedly refused to cooperate, saying, "Do you know who I am, you don't know anything about my problems (ESPN)."

This is terrible news for the Tigers. Cabrera had seemed to turned the corner after an ugly incident in 2009 got into a fight with his wife while drunk out of his mind just hours before the Tigers blew the division lead to the Twins. Cabrera really seems like he has some mental problems when you read something like this. What "problems" does he think he has? I really have no idea, but he seems like a really unhappy person, and the Tigers are really going to need to keep an eye on what he is doing off the field. I am not sure what will happen because of this. The MLB doesn't really have a "conduct policy", so I would think any suspension would have to come from the team, and I think the Tigers would be foolish not to. You can let actions like this go unpunished, but the main thing is to get this guy some help.

Tigers Sign Brad Penny

"The Detroit Tigers and free-agent right-hander Brad Penny have agreed to a one-year deal worth $3 million, plus $3 million in incentives, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney (ESPN)."

If you take out Penny's time with the Red Sox he has actually been a very solid pitcher in his career. The problem is the Tigers play in the AL and I don't believe he can handle AL lineups. On top of that, Penny is recovering from an upper-back injury that limited him to just 9 starts in 2009.

Still, the signing makes sense. The Tigers have a lot of question marks in their rotation. Verlander and Scherzer are very good, but after that it gets a little dicey. Porcello had a great rookie year, but stumbled last year before finishing strong. Galarraga is likely to lose his job (even after his near perfect game), and Phil Coke is being converted from a reliever to a start. Penny can eat up some innings for them, which is never a bad thing with all the young pitching they have.

Fallout From Crawford Signing

So Carl Crawford is a Red Sox, but there is going to be a lot of dominoes falling now that he is off the market.

- The Yankees have reported to up their offer to 7 years for Cliff Lee. They now know they can't get Crawford, and their fan base is not very happy right now. Also, the Sox made Lee a low ball 7 year offer, so the Yankees would have to add an extra year to his deal.

- The Angels have fallen on their face. Rumor is now they will go out and sign Adrian Beltre and Rafael Soriano. Have fun with that. Oh and I don't think Torii Hunter is very happy about all this...

"That hurts my heart, man," Hunter told Scott Miller of CBS Sports. "But hey, what can you do?" (all Twitter links). Speaking to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, Hunter said, "I'm sitting here in a daze right now, like, what the heck just happened? (MLBTradeRumors)"

- With the Red Sox now out of the Magglio Ordonez race it is sounding more and more likely that he will resign with the Tigers.

- As for the Red Sox, rumor has it they are still going after catcher Russell Martin, and Scott Downs. Downs is now a much more attractive idea since the Sox won't have to give up their first round pick, since that is already going to Tampa Bay for Carl Crawford.

We Were Outbid by the Tigers?

It's a good thing the Tigers weren't also trying to buy Liverpool. In case you haven't heard, the word is that the Tigers have signed Victor Martinez to a 4 year, $50 million deal. I guess that was too much of a commitment for the Red Sox, who once signed JD Drew to a 5 year, $70 million deal. The Sox once spent $51 million just to talk to Matsuzaka. They once gave Mike Lowell a 4 year, $60 million deal. They extended Josh Beckett's deal by 4 years for $68 million. They signed Lackey to a 5 year, $82.5 million deal.

They also just spent nearly half a billion on a soccer team that is over $400 million in debt. But $50 million for a consistent hitting catcher was too much. That was just too much of a commitment for the Red Sox.

I'm tired of hearing John Henry, Tom Werner, and Larry Luchino come on WEEI and pat themselves on the backs for spending the second most money in baseball, for spending their budget. Maybe it's time to raise the budget, guys. The Sox spent the second most last year, and had the 10th overall record. So maybe they should realize "we made some big contract mistakes." And instead of not spending, they could help alleviate those mistakes by spending a little more.

I don't expect them to outbid the Yankees for Cliff Lee. But I do expect them to not lose quality free agents to the Detroit fucking Tigers. Detroit, like every other team in baseball, is looking to improve. The Sox are content to be "contenders." Even though, they're not contenders, not in the AL East.

The Sox owners are not interested in winning. At least, not in baseball anymore. They want to win Premier League titles, and FA Cups. They're bored with the Red Sox. They had our fun, and now they've moved on.

And every bullshit, propaganda explanation we get from the Globe, or from WEEI, or from the Front Office itself, will only piss me off further. How come nobody asks how much the Sox made in 2010? How much was their profit. We KNOW that their payroll was on budget. And they just made a major purchase, so they must have some funds lying around.

I don't care if the Sox have a payroll of $60 million, or $300 million. I WANT THEM TO WIN. I understand that owners can't spend more than they make. But you know what, don't take the profits you make from our team, then use it to buy a second-rate, collapsing soccer team in England. Henry, Werner, and Luchino aren't from here, so they might not realize that we don't like the British here. Maybe we should fill Fenway with water and pour tea in it.

Good luck in Detroit, Victor. The Tigers obviously care more about winning than the Red Sox.

-The Commodore

If This Rumor Is True I'm Going To Puke - Victor Martinez Signs With Tigers (3 UPDATES)

There is a rumor going around Twitter that V-Mart is about to sign a 4 year deal worth about $50 million. The rumor was started by a writer named Ignacio Serrano who works for ESPN Deportes. I really don't know if we can take this seriously or not, but the Tigers have been rumored for awhile now, and if V-Mart was to leave the Sox this would almost certainly be one of the frontrunners for his services.

If this is true I am going to be really pissed off. V-Mart is worth $12.5 million a year, and a 4 year deal really isn't that bad. So I hope all Red Sox fans have their fingers crossed that is this bogus. One reason I think it might be is because it is very early for a free agent to be signing anywhere yet. Usually it really starts rolling during the winter meetings.

We'll keep ya posted.

***UPDATE***

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports is confirming the report. Sounds like if this rumor is true we will have official word by the end of the day.


***UPDATE 2***

Looks like this deal is for real. Sean McAdam has confirmed the signing.

I am so angry that I am having trouble even writing about it. JD Drew makes 17 million a year, Ortiz is making 12 million, they were paying Varitek those kind of numbers a couple years back, but you won't sign the 2nd best hitting catcher in the AL. And for only 4 years???? I mean even if he can't catch in a couple years, Ortiz is only here for the year, and he could've easily slid over. On top of that V-Mart is a better hitter when he is not behind the plate.

You better start doing something Theo, because I know Beltre is gone, and this is complete bullshit.


***UPDATE 3***

So what do the Sox get out of this?

"The Tigers must surrender their #19 draft pick next year to the Red Sox, unless Detroit also signs Jayson Werth later. Regardless, the Red Sox will also receive a supplemental draft pick (MLBTraderumors.com)."

Tigers Getting Close To Signing Adam Dunn?

"Adam Dunn is moving closer to a deal, maybe with the Tigers, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post. SI's Jon Heyman tweets that Dunn and the Tigers are in serious talks, but big man is not close to an agreement with any team. The powerful left-handed slugger is known to be among Detroit's targets. He could fit as their regular left fielder, perhaps getting the occasional start at DH or first base. The Tigers have been aggressive so far this offseason, and to secure Dunn this early they'd probably have to guarantee four years (MLBTradeRumors)."

From everything I have been reading the Tigers are being very aggressive, and in a way I really hope they get him, because it could cut down their chances at signing V-Mart. I'm sure you've noticed at this point that all the writers for DC are in agreement that one of the biggest offseason things we want to see happen is to have V-Mart back in the Sox uniform. You just don't get production from the catcher position like V-Mart can produce.

Dunn would be a good signing too. The Tigers having him and Cabrera in the middle of that lineup would be terrifying, since Dunn is almost an automatic 40 HRs year in and year out.

Gammons Says "Don't Expect V-Mart Back"

Peter Gammons was on WEEI yesterday and had a lot to say about what the Sox will be looking to do this offseason. He first touches on Red Sox free agents Beltre and V-Mart...

"I don't expect Victor Martinez to come back, I think Detroit is going to give him four or five years," said Gammons. "And I don't think anyone else is going to give him four or five years. I'm not so sure Beltre will be back, I can't gauge that market. But I do think they will go hard after Crawford, I really believe that."

That is just awful news. I really trust Gammons, and I agree that if the Tigers give him a 5 year deal there is no way the Sox will match (although I would). Beltre I expected to be gone, there is just no way they trust him to put up those numbers again, and he is known for having "contract years".

DP and I agree that the Sox biggest offseason concern has to be to resign V-Mart. There just aren't any other catchers that come close to him (other then Mauer). Losing him would be a huge blow unless they go out and trade for someone like Prince Fielder or Gonzalez.

Gammons wasn't done there. He also talked about Carl Crawford...

"There is no doubt in my mind that they (Red Sox) are going to go really hard after Carl Crawford," said Gammons. "That will be a matchup with the Angels, and you know there are some puffs of smoke coming out of New York that suggest the Yankees might go after him, even though their primary need is pitching."

He seemed sold on the fact that the Sox are going to land Crawford. As much as I am excited about that, I don't think it will be enough to bring this lineup to the next level. The Sox really need a power bat in the middle of that lineup, especially if lose V-Mart to Detriot.

Gammons also said that Cliff Lee is definitely going to resign with Texas. Suck on that Yankees.

LeBron James Causes Johnny Damon To Stay In Detroit?

Johnny Damon is a fucking pussy. This was his chance to be redeemed from him going to New York after claiming he would never got o the Yankees, and he chose to stay in the shittiest city in America on a bad team. He can blame it on his "love" for his teammates all he wants, but c'mon, Detroit over Boston (a potential playoff contending team). The real reason he blocked the deal is because he didn't want to deal with the fans, and to be honest, when I was listening to WEEI a lot of people were saying they would welcome him with open arms. Sure you would have a couple of boos here and there but if he hit, the Boston fans would have changed their tune quick.

I even entertained the idea, because I would have rather seen him out there than Nuva ring or Darnell McDonald. I wish Detroit had a series left against the Sox because it would have been that more intense. Damon is pathetic and I hope he stubs his toe today when he gets out of bed.

Another source of mine tells me that LeBron James told him to stay in Detroit and then next year to take his talents to South Beach with the Marlins.
Die

Johnny Damon Claimed By Red Sox

The Red Sox has been claimed by the Boston Red Sox and now Damon has 24 hours to make a decision as the Red Sox are in his no trade clause.

I doubt he comes back because he joined the Yankees after playing for the Sox and he doesn't want to deal with the fans here. Also these comments really don't tell me he's coming back either "My teammates are making this decision easier by saying they want me to stay," Damon said after Monday's 12-3 win over Kansas City. "My gut and everything else tells me that Detroit's the place for me."

If I were him, I would I wouldn't want to come to Boston even though it's cowardly. He is at the end of his career, and he's not having the greatest year .270 7 hrs and 40 rbis, so why would he want to add to the extra stress. He's already burned too many bridges in Boston to come back.

Part of me thinks that the only reason the Sox claimed him is to have blocked him from from going to Tampa Bay.

Red Sox 4, Tigers 3

Well acquiring Jarrod Saltalamacchia is hardly stop-the-presses news, but the Sox more than made up for their lack of transaction thrills with some exciting late inning action. Think about how close the Sox were to three straight walkoff wins. This weekend, the Sox scored 10 of their 14 runs in the 7th inning or later.

Having Clay Buchholz back in the rotation has been a huge lift for this team. An 8 inning, 2 run performance should have given Buchholz his 12th Win of the season, if not for Papelbon blowing his 5th Save.

The Major League debut of Ryan Kalish was another storyline of the weekend. He was 2 for 4 on Saturday, and had an RBI both Saturday and Sunday. He showed good patience and discipline at the plate.

The Sox welcome a crappy Cleveland team (aren't all of Cleveland's teams now crappy?), which actually has me a bit nervous. The Sox are 2-2 against the Indians, and 14-13 against the AL's sub-.500 teams.

Lackey faces Carmona tonight.

-The Commodore