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

Andrew Miller Joining Sox Rotation? (UPDATED)

I loved Andrew Miller when he played for Detroit and Florida, but he kind of fell of the face of the earth. Apparently the Red Sox are bringing him up to join the Sox rotation and Tim Wakefield will be bumped to the bullpen. I don't care how well Miller has been pitching in Pawtucket, I feel like we should ride Wake until he blows up. I want him to at least get every opportunity to get the Sox win record.

He has done a serviceable job so far, let him go Tito.

***UPDATE***

Miller has been brought up and will start Monday vs the Padres. For now it seems they will go with a 6 man rotation, but we will update if someone loses their job.

Red Sox 11, Yankees 6

The Red Sox beat the Yankees. Again. It's becoming a repetitive theme. And the reason for that is pitching. While Tim Wakefield was solid last night, AJ Burnett was his hapless self.

The Yankees have an offense similar to the Sox, but the Yankees' starting pitchers are a joke, apart from Sabathia. Even Colon, who's managed a solid record, struggles against the Sox. It's so sad that I'm actually starting to feel a little bad for the Yankees.

Starting to feel bad, not actually feeling bad.

Ortiz, Crawford, and Drew homered last night. Wakefield wasn't stunning, but he did better than Burnett. It should be a nice pitching duel tonight as Beckett goes against Sabathia.

-The Commodore

Ok Dice-K Is Gone, What Now?

As DP reported yesterday Rice-K is gone, so the question is what happens now. Well, the Sox are going to have to hope that Lackey can comeback and be solid. He doesn't have to be great, but solid (ERA under 5 and win 50%), because otherwise the Sox will be filling two spots instead of one.

As for taking Dice-K's spot, for now if will be Wake/Aceves. They can hold on to it for awhile, but I don't see either as a long term solutions for the rest of the season. The guy that is interesting is Felix Doubront. He is finally healthy again and he has a 1.59 ERA and .172 batting average against in five starts for the PawSox.

The only problem I see for Doubront is if Hill is out for the season and the Sox don't find a guy to get lefties out. Dourbount did that pretty well last year against lefties (.189 BA), so they might need him to fill that role. I would rather they find someone else, and see what this kid can do starting, but we will have to wait and see, because the other option other then the 3 I have mentioned it Milwood and none of us feel like dealing with his 82 MPH fastball.

Reyes Makes Team, Okajima/Aceves To Minors

"Hideki Okajima will start the season in Triple-A along with fellow reliever Alfredo Aceves, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein announced Monday. Epstein divulged the team's final roster moves in preparation for Friday's season opener at Texas. The assignments of Okajima and Aceves to Pawtucket makes room in the Boston bullpen for left-hander Dennys Reyes and righty Matt Albers. Reyes and Albers are on major league contracts (after the Sox purchased Reyes' contract Saturday) and do not have options (WEEI)."

I guess that means Wakefield won the long reliever spot, which I think is kind of bullshit. Aceves is the better pitcher at this point, and Wakefield will be nothing but a mop up pitcher. Okajima I am not surprised has been sent down, he has struggled this spring, and I am not sure we will ever see him in the majors again. All in all the Sox have been playing terrible lately, and I really hope their pitching can get it going once the games actually mean something.

End of the Line For Wakefield?

Wakefield has now gone into 2 seasons without a rotation spot, and although the Red Sox always need extra arms with guys like Beckett seemingly going down ever year, Wakefield might not even be the #6 guy anymore. Alfredo Aceves has been pitching very well, and he seems to fit the mold of coming out of the bullpen much better then Wakefield.

I love Wake, but I really think it is time they cut him loose. Even if he starts I don't at all feel confident that he will do well or even stay healthy. At this point in his career you can't stash him down in the minors, so what role does he fill. All he is at this stage of his career is a DL spot waiting to happen, and maybe a guy who can eat up innings if the Sox are up by 8 runs or down by 8 runs. That's it.

Love you Wake, but it is time for you to announce your retirement.

Red Sox 11 Rays 5

The Sox were down 4-0 to the Rays in the 2nd inning last night, and it looked like they were going to get routed much like the night before, then the MVP of the season (Beltre) hit a 2-run HR, and everything changed. Wake was able to settle down and get through 5 innings letting up 4 runs.

Scutaro was the hero of this game belting 2 HRs. I still think he should be shut down for the season, but you can't argue with the results. What was really impressive was the way the Sox bullpen actually came through for them. Scott Atchison, Daniel Bard, and Hideki Okajima combined to pitch 4 scoreless innings. That is a fucking miracle with the way they've been playing all year.

Lars Anderson got his first two major league hits, both singles, and drove in a run. It will be real interesting to watch him the rest of the year. I really hope he goes off, so the Sox can use him as trade bait this offseason.

With the win the Sox are still 6 1/2 games back for the Wild Card.

A's 5 Red Sox 4 (10th)

Can't really blame Wake for this game. He had 1 bad inning when he let up 4 runs, but he did go 6 innings, and you really just can't expect more from him at this point in his career. What killed Boston was the lack of clutch hitting. They put up 12 hits yet only scored 4 runs. They have to do better then that, but it really doesn't surprise me with the "key" offensive players they are missing.

Boston chased Braden out of the game after only 4 2/3, but the A's bullpen was fantastic last night going 5 1/3 innings without surrendering a run. The only good news for the Sox last night what that their bullpen looked strong, but that could have a lot more to do with the A's offense being terrible, then anything actually getting better for the Sox relievers.

Everyone for the Sox that started the game had a hit with the exception of JD Drew, so I really see this as a tough luck loss that wouldn't have happened if the Sox weren't starting AAA guys throughout a good portion of their lineup.

You even have to question if the A's deserved to win this game, because the 10th was a crazy inning. After Coco Crisp was ejected by plate umpire Bob Davidson following a strikeout to lead off the 10th, Daric Barton singled off Ramon Ramirez (WTF happened to this guy??), and Barton advanced to 2nd when Davidson called a balk on Ramirez. The Red Sox then intentionally walked Kurt Suzuki before Dustin Richardson came in and struck out Adam Rosales. Boston pitching coach John Farrell was ejected by Davidson during that at-bat for arguing a checked swing call. Kouzmanoff then lined a single to right field off Michael Bowden and Barton slid in safely ahead of J.D. Drew's throw home.

With the loss Boston is now 6 games behind the Yankees and 3 1/2 games behind the Rays. The good news is that Buchholz is back tonight, and Beckett will make his first start off the DL on Friday.

Rangers 7, Red Sox 2

The Rangers welcomed themselves to Fenway Park with a 6 run 1st inning. After that, Tommy Hunter turned on the cruise control, and that was that. Not a fun way to begin the 2nd half of the season. And while Wakefield had been tolerable the last few weeks before this (4.92 ERA in his last 7 starts), he had a major setback last night.

JD Drew and Bill Hall provided the Sox with a solo homerun each. The 1-4 hitters in the lineup were a combined 0 for 17, and none managed to reach base.

Felix Doubrant faces Colby Lewis tonight. Doubront is the one on our team.

-The Commodore

A's 9 Red Sox 8

The Wake got lit up yesterday, and although the Sox did make a comeback it wasn't enough to top the A's. Early in the game the Sox looked like the may have luck on their side as Brett Anderson went down with a sore elbow after only 2 innings, but Wakefield was horrible letting 6 runs in 6 innings of work. This isn't anything new for Wakefield, who has been mostly terrible this season with a 1-4 record and a 6.02 ERA. The Sox are going to need him to play a lot better since Beckett is going to be out at least another month.

Boston got a lot of offense out of guys you wouldn't really expect. Bill Hall was 4-5 with 2 RBIs, Herminda was 3-5 with 2 RBIs, and Scutaro was 1-5 with 3 RBis, all 3 of these players has a HR.

Boston has a ton of hit (18), but poor pitching and lack of clutch hitting did them in. With the loss Boston is now 5 1/2 games behind the Rays, and 3 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the AL East.

Blue Jays 3 Red Sox 2

Yesterday was just another case of the MLB needing to step in and punish umpires when they are terrible. At the end of the game yesterday the strike zone suddenly became 10 feet wide, and the Red Sox were the ones who had to pay for an umpire (Dale Scott), who just wanted to leave the game. I don't know if he had a plane to catch or what, but if you saw this game you would know how bullshit his calls were, and how much of a black eye this guy gave all umpires.

But enough of that, lets talk about the people who are supposed to be deciding games...the players.

Boston got a great start from the Wake (7 innings 3 runs), but Boston could never get the bats going against Marcum. Marcum only let up 2 hits (0 runs) over 7 innings. This is basically my worry with the Sox. If a pitcher is hot at all this team completely shuts down. Anyways, Boston finally started to get something going in the bottom of the 9th, but that's when the umpire decided he had enough and called everyone out. So, yea I don't really count this as a loss.

Boston is now 6 1/2 games behind the Rays, and 5 behind the Yankees.

The Savior Coming Back, Wake To The Pen

With the Red Sox being the worst team in the league in all, the savior is coming back to save this team (Sorry Jesus) and that man's name is Dice K. After a long extensive rehabbing assignment when he gave the Red Sox free will, they have destroyed it all and have failed miserably. Now that he is back the hitting will start hitting for him, and the other pitchers will start pitching better to try and be like him and the Boston Red Sox will climb back to the top of the mountain known as the AL East.

Dice K has a lot of questions surrounding him and many skeptics such as our own Captain and BMack like to question his abilities. But all I remember from him is last year when he got healthy he was 4-1 with a sub 3 era, and is the fucking man. All he has done for the Red Sox in his short time is win a world series and win 18 games with a sub 3 era.

In other news Tim Wakefield is going to the pen. I like this move over Clay Buchholz because Clay has more of an upside. As long as he doesn't face Aaron Boone he will be alright.

Red Sox 7 Rangers 6

The Red Sox shouldn't have won, but they did and that's all that matters. This was an extremely odd game. Wakefield got rocked for 6 runs, he let up 5 walks, and Texas set a club record for steals in an inning with five in the third. There was just no way the Sox were going to win, but they kept hanging around.

I mean there were so many story lines in this game. Sox can't throw anyone out, Lowell pinch hit for Ortiz, and there were a bunch of guys playing that 90% of baseball fans wouldn't know, but the best story was saved for last.

McDonald, called up from the minors earlier in the day, hit a pinch-hit two-run homer in the eighth inning to tie the game and won it with an RBI single in the ninth to lift the struggling Red Sox. It was amazing, and a story book ending, but at the end of the day you can only be so happy about this.

McDonald is not going to be the next Ortiz, and the Sox have still not really found a way to score. They need Ellsbury back, but he could be out for a little while, so the Sox need to find a way to pick up some offense. Hopefully Lowell can give a little punch in their lineup, and Hermida been hitting for power, but the Sox really need V-Mart to go on a hot streak.

A win is a win, and the Sox have ended their losing streak.

Daily Red Sox Spring Training Updates

Lots of news going around the Sox camp. Here is the latest.

- Westmoreland is undergoing brain surgery today. That's really all we know, but we wish him the best.

Orioles 4 Red Sox 8


- Mike Lowell got his first start a 1st base yesterday. Overall it went well. He can move side to side fast enough to field the position, but a lot of scouts did note that he looked very slow on the base path. Lowell showed no effects from surgery to his thumb. He singled to right in his 1st at-bat, flew out in his second, and left after 3 innings. He also made two putouts at first. Teams will be interested in Lowell if he can stay healthy, so it'll be interesting to see what the Sox do.

- Ortiz finally showed some power hitting his 1st HR of the spring. It has been a terrible spring for the big guy batting .143, so hopefully this will get the ball rolling.

- Wakefield did not have a strong game he let up 5 runs on 9 hits in just 3 2/3 innings, but with Dice-K likely out the first week or two he should be in the starting rotation to start the season.

- Papelbon looked good again throwing another scoreless inning (he has yet to give up a run) Okajima and Ramirez didn't go as well. Okie let up 1 run in his inning of work, and Ramirez let up 2. The good news is Bard pitched 1 scoreless inning striking out all 3 batters he faced.


The Sox actually play two games today. The first game is at 1:05pm against Houston, and the 2nd game is at 7:05pm against the Rays. Here is the lineup for the Houston game (the Rays one hasn't come out yet.

Ellsbury CF
Pedroia 2B
Varitek C
Youkilis 1B
Hermida LF
Reddick RF
Hulett DH
Sanchez SS
Valazquez 3B

Lester LHP

Daily Red Sox Spring Training Update

Busy day around Red Sox spring training. Nomar retires, and the Sox whoop the Marlins.

Red Sox 9 Marlins 0

- Overall you have to be impressed by Red Sox pitching this spring seems like they are shutting teams down most games.

- Wakefield had another strong start going three innings, giving up two hits and striking out one. He threw 30 pitches, 22 for strikes.

- Jeremy Hermida played well against his former team going 2-4 with a double and his first RBI with Boston.

- Lars Anderson sucks. There I said it. He has yet to record a hit this spring training. What happened to this guy? So much for him being the next Ortiz.

- Reddick is having himself a hell of a spring training. He went 3-4 in this game, and is now batting .471.


So, Nomar retired today, but since the best thing he ever did for Boston was leave (much like Bledsoe) I am not going to do a lot on this. He was a great player, but he was an asshole and a steroid user. Plus, he never won anything (yes I know he got a ring). So...fuck Nomar.

Here is the video of his speech...


The Sox take on the Rays today at 1:05. You can listen to it on WEEI. Here is a look at their lineup and pitching schedule.

Ellsbury LF
Pedroia 2B
Martinez DH
Youkilis 1B
Beltre 3B
Scutaro SS
Cameron CF
Hall RF
Brown C

Pitching: Jon Lester followed by Brian Shouse, Manny Delcarmen, Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima, Daniel Bard and Ramon Ramirez.

Wakefield/Red Sox Fued Brewing?

Going into the upcoming season most fans (and writers) think the Red Sox will have a starting rotation of Beckett, Lackey, Lester, Dice-K and Buchholz. Yet Wakefield still thinks he will be in the rotation...

“I did make the All-Star team last year. It seems every year, and I don’t know why, my name gets brought up like this when I don’t feel I need to prove myself every day. I don’t know where the rumors are coming from, but I try not to pay attention. I know my role and I know what my approach is going to be when I get to spring training: be a starter and help us win the World Series (Boston.com).”

There are a lot of Boston fans going crazy over this saying there is going to be a problem down the road. I don't see this at all. The Red Sox are known for having their starters hit the DL at some point in the season. It is a smart move to get them rest at some point, so they aren't worn out for the playoffs. I can tell you right now Beckett, and Lackey will hit the DL at some point, so Wakefield is going to get some starts. He is also there in case Buchholz and Dice-K don't pitch well (I think they will).

Anyways, just remember it is always a good thing to have "too much starting pitching". Above that Wakefield is way too old to be pitching 200 innings, so time off for him will be good as well.

THANK YOU JESUS. VARITEK IS GONE, GONE, GONE (Not really, I'm stupid)

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Wakefield Has Surgery (Comeback?) (UPDATED)

"Tim Wakefield is scheduled to undergo surgery today to repair the herniated disc that hampered his first All-Star season. The success of the surgery could determine Wakefield's financial future, reports the Boston Herald. Last week, general manager Theo Epstein indicated that if the surgery goes well, the team will pick up Wakefield's $4 million contract option (ESPN)."

Wakefield is still a steal at $4 million, so I don't mind if they bring him back, but if they do they have to act like he is not on the roster. What do I mean by that? You know Wake is going to do down at some point, so basically you need 6 starting pitchers to start the year. Wakefield can eat up some innings, but it has been a while since he made it through a season. My guess is that he does comeback, and I got no problem with that...


***UPDATE***

"While there's not a lot of news on Tim Wakefield's back surgery yet, a Red Sox spokesman said that the procedure was "successful" in an email. The surgery, which was to address a herniated disk, occurred this morning at Massachusetts General Hospital. Wakefield can begin rehab immediately, according to the spokesperson (Boston.com)."

Sounds like everything went well. I expect he will sign another 1 year $4 million deal with the Sox in the coming months...

Wakefield Is Done For The Season?

A season that included his first All-Star berth will end with Tim Wakefield being left off Boston's post-season roster, reports the Boston Globe.

The 43-year-old Wakefield has been bothered by a nerve injury in his back that has weakened his left leg. The knuckleballer lasted just three innings Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

"If I'm on the team, great. I'll give them everything I have, whether it's in relief or a start or whatever. If I'm not, I'll be the biggest cheerleader in the dugout," Wakefield said.

After getting lit up last night, it's difficult to see the guy pitch. I love him, but he needs to hang it up. It seems like after every outing he has to go on the DL. Sure he started the year on fire, however, he has been downright awful for the whole second half.

Jays 12 Red Sox 0 (Wakefield To Retire?)

The Sox got blown out, but they were going against Roy Halladay and playing a bunch of scrubs. The real story in this game is whether or not this is the last time we will ever see Tim Wakefield pitch. The Wake went 3 innings allowing 5 runs, and just looks like he is not the same guy who had such a great first half of the year (remember he was an All-Star).

The Wake was arguably the MVP of the first half of the season for the Red Sox. In my mind I am thinking that there is no chance that he is on the playoff roster, and I think Wake knows it too...

“I don’t make those decisions (playoff roster),” Wakefield said when asked how realistic his place in the postseason was. “Those decisions will come down in the next couple days. I’ll deal with it when the time comes. If I’m on the team, great. I’ll give them everything I have, whether it’s in relief or a start or whatever. If I’m not, I’ll be the biggest cheerleader in the dugout.”

I know the 2nd half of the season Wake wishes went better, but he made the All-Star team. The Sox are in the playoffs, and I just think it is time for him to hang it up. He has nerve damage in his back that is going to require offseason surgery. So, as much as I love the Wake it is time for him to retire...