It's Only Fair?

Here is Mark Kotsay and Rocco Baldelli playing rocks, paper, scissors to play. I like it, I just wish Francona wasn't so good at it, because it makes his coaching that much worse.

Red Sox 3 Rangers 6

Well I guess we found out what happens if Dice-K throw strike. Dice-K let up 10 hits 5 runs over 5 2/3 innings, but had 0 walks. So far Dice-k really hasn't pitched a good game this season, and with so many pitchers looking for a spot in the rotation (Smoltz, Buchholz, Bowden) you have to wonder how long the Sox are going to wait for this guy to pick up his game.

Michael Young got the Rangers off to a fast start with a solo homer off Daisuke Matsuzaka in the first inning. Cruz led a 12-hit attack with a double, triple and home run, helping the Rangers beat the Sox 6-3 on Sunday and bounce back from Lester's 6 1/3 innings of perfect pitching.

Dice-K being mediocre was not the Sox only problem. Once again this offense was painfully slow. Boston only put 4 hits on the board all game. Ortiz continue to struggle, even though he did have a hit in this game, he was immediately thrown out on a botched hit and run play.

The only real highlights in this game for the Sox were Ellsbury awesome running catch in CF (which then he had to leave with a shoulder prain), and Kotsay's HR. The loss takes the Sox out of first place in the AL East, as the Yankees are now 1/2 game up.

Red Sox @ Tigers Preview

Tonight the Sox will try to build on the recent success that they are getting from their pitchers. The Red Sox's starters have had their share of troubles in 2009, but have settled down to allow one run in three of their last five games. Beckett is 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA in his last 3 starts after posting a 7.22 ERA through his first 5 outings. I had my worries about Beckett, but I think he has hit his groove and will be the ace of the rotation for the rest of the year.

Boston is going to need good pitching, since their offense is still trying to adjust to life without Ortiz. The good news is that Boston seem to be figuring that out with a new lineup. The Sox has scored a combined 13 runs in its last 2 games after averaging 2.60 in its previous 5 games. Still you have to wonder if this offense can continue being productive if Ortiz continues to suck. He is 2 for 18 over his last 4 games which dropped his average to .186.

On the other side of things the Tigers will send Armando Galarraga to the hill. Galarraga has a terrible May going 0-5 with an 8.49 ERA in 6 starts. So, there is a good chance that the Sox will be able to keep up the production of runs.

Boston will have Kotsay back tonight, and there are some rumors that he might even start tonight. Kotsay has not played since last season after needing back surgery. If he can prove to be healthy and affective the loss of Ortiz could be lightened a little. Also we might get to see more of his wife, which is never a bad thing....

Games starts at 7:05 on NESN.

John Smoltz Rehab Update

"One member of the staff, John Smoltz, will begin a key stage in his rehab from shoulder surgery tomorrow. The right-hander will throw two innings against live hitters in Fort Myers. That will mark the beginning of a five-day pitching schedule that will put him on track for an early June activation (Boston Herald)."

This is a really important stage for John Smoltz. If something is to go wrong it will most likely go wrong in the next couple of weeks. He seems to be progressing nicely, and says his body is feeling great. His biggest fear is actually leaving the warm weather, which I can understand after playing for so many years in Atlanta. His worry is how is muscles will react, but the good news is that the Sox aren't pushing him back, so most likely he will not be playing in any games for the Sox will sometime in June. By then Boston should be having "warm" weather, and it won't be a problem. We will keep you updated...

Other sox injury news:

- Outfielder Mark Kotsay (back) will begin playing in games in Fort Myers this weekend.

- Julio Lugo is ready to play shortstop in extended spring training game today and be in Boston by Monday to be checked out by the training staff. If cleared, a rehab assignment would be next for Lugo. So we can expect him back within the next two weeks if all goes well.

- Dice-K is being examined today, and by tomorrow we should know a lot more about what kind of rehab he will need to go through, and some kind of timetable for how long he will be out.

Kotsay Out Till May

The Brad Wilkerson signing is starting to make a lot more sense now, as Mark Kotsay will be out until at least May after undergoing back surgery. The strange thing about all this is that the Sox did not know (according to the Boston Globe) that he needed this surgery when they signed him, so you have to wonder if the Red Sox are pissed off about all of this. Anyways, Wilkerson can fill his spot for the time being, because he is also a backup outfielder/first baseman. He might be needed if the Sox have any injury problems with Rocco, Drew, or Lowell. I like Kotsay a lot, and the Sox shouldn't really need him till later in the season, so hopefully all of this will blow over and not be a big deal.

Plus the Sox always need his wife at Fenway...

Mark Kotsay's Wife's Ass Coming Back To Boston

Mark Kotsay, whom the Boston Red Sox obtained from the Atlanta Braves last August, has agreed in principle on a one-year deal to return to the club, pending a physical, the Boston Herald reported. Kotsay will earn $1.5 million plus incentives.

The 33-year-old Kotsay hit .226 with 12 RBI in 22 regular-season games with the Sox. In the postseason, when third baseman Mike Lowell went down with a hip injury and the Sox were forced to move Kevin Youkilis back to third, Kotsay took over as the team's starting first baseman.

I love the move. Kotsay will be huge if Lowell isn't read or gets hurt(which is likely). Kotsay is a terrific guy to have on the bench, and although he didn't hit to well for the Sox last year, he will be better this year. He will be the main guy to come off the bench with Baldelli. I really like what the Sox did this year, and they did it without spending a ridiculous amount of money.

Plus, we get to look at Jamie Kotsay more too.

Lowell and Lowrie Out

Francona came out today and said that Mike Lowell and Jed Lowrie would be out of tonight's lineup. The news is not as bad as I first thought. Francona wants to make sure that Lowell is as healthy as he can be against lefty Joe Saunders, who will be pitching in game 3. With Lowell out Youk will be playing 3rd and Mark Kotsay will play 1st. Not a bad move considering Kotsay is a very solid hitter, and Youk is more than capable of playing 3rd.

Lowrie is out of the game, and Francona said that it was the way he planned it all the way. Sorry I don't believe this one. I don't believe Francona ever had plans to play Cora, and I think it has a lot to do with Lowrie looking shaky in the field. That error last night could have cost the Sox the game, and I think Francona wants him to get his head on straight. I'll say right now I don't like this move, but Francona has two World Series rings, and I write for a blog...

Here is tonight's lineup:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Dustin Pedroia 2nd
3. David Ortiz DH
4. Kevin Youkilis 3rd
5. J.D. Drew RF
6. Jason Bay LF
7. Mark Kotsay 1B
8. Jason Varitek C
9. Alex Cora SS

Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP


-BMack

Red Sox Beat Indians 5-4

The Red Sox destroyed Carmona in the very first inning tonight. Boston scored 4 runs in the 1st on an RBI double by Ortiz, and then 3 RBI singles by Kotsay, Varitek, and Carter. That chased Carmona from the game, but the Sox offense was quieted by the Indians bullpen for much of the game. Paul Byrd blew a 4 run lead, and let up 11 hits, 4 runs in only 5 innings of work. This is not the final outing that Byrd wanted to having going into the postseason. This really leaves the door open for Wakefield to take the 4th spot in the playoff rotation.

The Sox bullpen stepped up must like the Indians did, and shut them down for the rest of the game. Boston was able to get a run in the 8th on a Mark Kotsay RBI double, and that was all the Sox needed as Delcarmen came in and got the save. Delcarmen looked dominant as he has strikeouts on two of the three guys he faced. Boston was hoping to gain a game on Tampa Bay, but the Rays are winning 11-6 over the Orioles in the bottom of the 8th, so that doesn't seem like its going to happen. Either way, other than Byrd's struggles, the Sox have to be very happy with the way they played, as the bullpen looked great, and J.D. Drew was able to get in a couple at-bats.

-BMack

Red Sox Bunt To Beat Orioles 5-4

This was one of the sillier games I had ever seen in my life. The Sox were down 4-2 in the 8th then Mark Kotsay (was has just been amazing in a Sox uniform) hit a game tying 2-run triple. Masterson (who got the win) shutdown the Orioles in the top of the 9th, then the silliness ensued. It started with an Alex Cora single, then Coco came up and bunted. This was no normal bunt as it looked to be going foul, but then (for some reason unknown) did a 180 and stayed fair. So, there was a man on 1st and 2nd with no outs, and Ellsbury at the plate. So what does Ellsbury do??? Well, of course bunt, and the Orioles try to get Cora out at third, but it is a wild throw and Cora walks home to win the game...ridiculous.

What a win for the Sox. Dice-K had a solid inning going 6 innings allowing 4 hits, 4 walks, 3 runs with 7 Ks. You would like to see the walk total go down, but we have been saying that all season. Dice-K didn't get the win and was actually on the hook for the loss until Kotsay's game tying triple. Dustin Pedrioa continues to make his case for AL MVP by going 3-4 with a solo HR. For a guy who is listed at 5-9 180lbs (but it more like 5-7) the kid can hit he is now hitting .333 on the season with 17 HRs, 76 RBI, and 17 SBs. You have to hope he can continue this as the Sox try to get healthy.

Sox Get Kotsay

With JD Drew out, the Red Sox found themselves lacking a left-handed outfielder. Less than 24 hours after Drew was on the DL, they got a new one. They've reportedly traded a "mid-level" prospect to Atlanta for Mark Kotsay.



Kotsay waived a limited no-trade clause in order to come to Boston. He's arbitration eligible at the end of the season, and the Sox will pay the balance of his $8 million salary (about $1.5M).

The 33 year old hit .289 with the Braves, with an OBP of .340 and a .418 slugging percentage. He's hit 6 homeruns in 318 at-bats this year. He missed some of May and most of June with back spasms. He's been hitting well recently, batting .288 in August with a .500 slugging percentage.

He'll be a solid #6 or #7 hitter to anchor the bottom of the lineup.

It's funny, the Red Sox started the season supposedly with "too many outfielders" (Drew, Ellsbury, Manny, Crisp, Moss) and "too much pitching." Now they've had to scrape together outfielders and pitchers after the trade deadline.

Kotsay also has a smoking hot wife...





-The Commodore

Kotsay to the Sox?

According to ESPN the Sox are interested in OF Mark Kotsay. Kotsay is a quality outfeilder and with J.D. Drew going on the DL with a ruptured disk there is a need for another OF to platoon wiht Jacoby and Coco. The question that arises is how much or if Katsay would make an impact during the mission for Soxtober. What ever the case may be he has a dope wife.