Losing out on Lee hurts, doesn't kill Yankees 2011 season

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

To start off, I want full disclosure here. I am not a fan of either the Yankees or the Red Sox. The Yankees organization, and fans, can say what they want but losing out on Cliff Lee really hurts this team. Simmer down Red Sox fans because this does not sink, or kill, the Yankees 2011 season.

Why you ask? Well, the Yankees starting rotation is really not that far away from the solid rotation the Red Sox have. I'd certainly take Jon Lester and Clay Bucholtz over CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes, but it's not like there that much better. The Sox top two starters combined for a 36-16 record with era's of 3.25 and 2.33. The Yanks top two went 39-15 with higher eras of 3.18 and 4.19. Josh Beckett and John Lackey sound great as your 3rd and 4th starters, but are there are so many questions about those two. Beckett has only had one really good year since coming to Boston, and Lackey showed he's very much a #4 starter last year. On the other side, Andy Pettite is a far more consistent performer as long as he's healthy. I also have no doubt he'll be back in pinstripes now. AJ Burnett was an unmitigated disaster last season, but realistically there's no way he's that bad again this season.

Now let's look at the positional players. Right now I'd say the catching position is a draw, but if one of these teams lands Russell Martin, then they have a slight advantage. Most people would call the first base position a draw, but I think Teixiera is still a better player. When you look at it, I think the Yankees also have an advantage at 2nd base with Cano, 3rd base with A-Rod and shortstop with Jeter. Crawford is a huge upgrade in the outfield, but do you really trust Jacoby Ellsbury, JD Drew and Mike Cameron? Ellsbury has great potential, but does he have the stones to get on the field? Nick Swisher is a better player in right, and I really think Curtis Granderson will have a breakout year if healthy.

What's next for the Yankees? I'm not sure. Brian Cashman has been reluctant to part with his best prospects the past few years. Much like Theo Epstein this offseason, losing out on Lee may put enough pressure on him to move some high level pieces to add the the rotation. I don't see the Yankees trading for Zack Grienke. If I'm the Yankees, I am seriously concerned with Grienke's mental history and his ability to cope with pitching in New York. I'm not convinced the Rays would trade Garza in the division.

Whatever comes next, I'm sure the entire baseball world will be on the edge of their seat.

Don't you feel bad for David Ortiz?

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Those poor professional athletes have it so rough.

Especially, Boston's David Ortiz.

The man who is supercharged by the finest Mango Salsa money can buy (wink, wink), is still yapping about wanting to play for the Red Sox for more than one season.

Ortiz is "not comfortable" playing on a one-year deal.

Poor David Ortiz.

Ortiz would pocket $12.5 million if the Red Sox pick up his option for next season. I know, it's rough getting that much money.

While the average man would be doing cartwheels from Leominster to Boston if they got that much cash, Ortiz must think it's a slap in the face if he gets that money and it's only for a one-year deal.

Oh, poor David Ortiz.

Ortiz apparently doesn't like the media anymore, either. In baseball terms, he's got rabbit ears. Yes, he's reading everything that's written about him and watching all the telecasts on TV. And it's getting to him, all the negative stuff that's being said about him.

It's nice to know that Ortiz is human and has feelings, but that's life in professional sports. One day you're the hero, the next you're the goat. When you're going well everyone loves you, and when you're not, they say you're too old, slow, in decline, etc.

Again, poor David Ortiz.

In a struggling economy, $12.5 million might not seem like a lot to a bigger-than-life Boston sports figure, but how many fans are really feeling sorry for him?

You think Joe Smith from Marlborough, who lost his job two years ago and still hasn't found full-time work really cares that Ortiz is so upset that he might only get $12.5 million for one season? No way. Mr. Smith is more worried about trying piece together multiple part-time paychecks to provide for his family.

So, again, poor David Ortiz.

As much as I love professional sports, crying about money and length of contracts really makes me laugh. Seriously? Aren't there much more important things in life to worry about? Maybe Ortiz doesn't think so, but we all know his little dilemma is so low on the average fans priority list.

Everyone, all together: "Poor, David Ortiz!"

Who cares about Red Sox-Yankees

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Red Sox vs. Yankees in the final regular season series of the year. Sounds good, right?

Wrong.

What a useless series.

And who would typically say that when these two hated rivals face off?

But there's simply nothing to play for. The Sox will not be heading to the playoffs, but the Yankees will.

The only thing New York has to play for is to win the AL East. Oh, yeah, and the top record in the American League.

But at what cost? Will the Yankees rest some guys, or go all out to simply win the Division? That's why Joe Girardi gets paid the big bucks.

After tonight's rainout, the Yanks-Sox will have a doubleheader on Saturday and finish up on Sunday.

But is anyone -- even the diehard fans -- going to sit glued in front of the TV to watch this meaningless series? If you are, get a hobby. And fast.

Let the playoffs begin. This 162-game regular season is such a grind, not to mention those four-plus hour Red S0x-Yankees game.

I may never say this again, but who cares about a Red Sox-Yankees series.

Swish vs. Youk debate

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

OK, I get it. Most Red Sox fans know their team inside and out, but don't know much about the rest of Major League Baseball.

Another example of that theory stems from the All-Star debate concerning Boston's own Kevin Youkilis and New York Yankees' Nick Swisher.

In case you've been living under a rock, Swisher was voted into the All-Star Game by the fans. Yes, fans throughout the country.

I'm not even going to sit here and say Youk didn't deserve to be an All-Star because he did. Currently, the Boston first baseman is hitting .294 with 18 HRs and 57 RBIs with an OPS of .992. Yes, those are All-Star numbers.

But Swisher also deserves to go, especially considering this is far and away his best season and he's probably never going to go back to the All-Star Game. Anyway, Swish has the credentials, too, with a .304 batting average, 14 HRs, 48 RBIs and a .910 OPS.

It's tough to say one guy was going to have to stay home and watch the game on television, but the fans had the final say and they elected the Yankees' outfielder, not Youkilis.

Boston fans need to pipe down and stop ripping on how Swisher's not worthy. They also need to realize there's a lot of talent in MLB, more than just guys that wear a Boston uniform.

Re-signing Beckett was a no-brainer

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Excuse me if I don't do any back flips or call Theo a genius for signing Josh Beckett to a four-year extension. Why? Because I don't pat people on the back for making easy decisions.

When the Red Sox signed John Lackey to a lucrative deal this offseason, it was believed by some that the front office was preparing to let Beckett hit the free agent market at the end of the season with Lackey acting as his replacement. I had to chuckle.

And that's not a knock on Lackey, who is a fine pitcher. But Josh Beckett, whether you want to call him the ace or not, has been the anchor of the Red Sox pitching staff and there was no reason to let him go.

If the team is ready to pay $8.6 million to a player who is now playing for a division foe and pay another $12 million for a player who is essentially a backup designated hitter at this point in his career, it had better have been ready to pay the man with 65 wins and a .657 winning percentage and a 5-1 postseason mark in four years with the team.

With him retained, the Red Sox could have one of the most formidible pitching staffs in baseball for a long time. Beckett, Jon Lester and Lackey are now all assured spots in the rotation (barring something unexpected happening, of course) from now until 2013 and possibly 2014 if the Red Sox pick up Lester's option that year. Clay Buchholz, who many teams would love to have as a second or third starter down the road, is also under Red Sox' control until 2014. Granted, this is all with the unrealistic assumption that no one gets hurt, traded, etc.

Normally, I am not a fan of long-term deals with pitchers because so few of them have worked out and likewise, the deal with Lackey makes me nervous because he has had difficulty staying healthy. Beckett hasn't had such issues with the Red Sox, starting at least 30 games in three of the four seasons he's been in Boston. It's especially impressive after getting a reputation for being injury-prone with the Marlins, although he often voiced frustrations with them, once calling himself the healthiest man on the DL.

Beckett seems like an old man simply because he's been around forever. He pitched his first game at 21 years of age and will turn 31 in May, so the odds of this extension turning out to be a Mike Lowell-esque disaster are not as high.

I don't know if I like using the term "big game pitcher," but the bottom line is if you were looking for someone who fit that description on the Red Sox, it would have to be this guy. Given is track record, age and the fact that the price tag wasn't all that unreasonable, given what the team has handed out in terms of contracts recently, this was a no-brainer.

So congrats, Theo, on making maybe the easiest decision in your professional career.

Beltre Pulling into Town

By Rick Eggleston
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

For Red Sox management and fans, it’s all aboard the Beltre. With yesterday’s free agent signing of long-time Seattle third baseman Adrian Beltre to a one-year deal, the Sox made two things crystal clear: A) Defense is the buzzword of 2010, and B) Opponents won’t want to mess their bench.

By signing the two-time Gold Glover and defensive specialist Beltre, the Sox will be relying on defense to get it done this year, followed by pitching and offense in that order. And why not? After all, the old mantra of “defense wins championships” applies to baseball as much as it does to football.

Finishing a respectable seventh in the league in fielding (.986) last season, the Beltre move only solidifies an already strong Sox infield. Run prevention will be the name of the game, as Boston will look to decrease last season’s AL East low of 736 runs allowed to somewhere in the low- to mid-600s. Coincidentally, Beltre arrives from a Seattle team that allowed an AL fewest 692 runs, still a far cry from the league best 611 allowed by Los Angeles (Dodgers) and San Francisco.

Add in recent acquisition Marco Scutaro at short, Victor Martinez behind the plate, and returning vets Dustin Pedroia at second and Kevin Youkilis at first, and Boston’s infield seems nearly impenetrable. And with newbie Mike Cameron, Jacoby Ellsbury and J.D. Drew roaming the outfield, things are definitely looking up defensively.

Then there’s the Boston bench, where Beltre’s predecessor, Mike Lowell, Martinez’ backup, Jason Varitek, and journeyman infielder Casey Kotchman will reside and could provide a solid glove or pinch-hit without the team skipping a beat.

As far as offense is concerned, aside from David Ortiz, the Red Sox are still lacking that one sure thing and much-needed insurance policy at the plate. That’s what Jason Bay’s defection to the Mets has wrought; at least he didn’t head to that other New York nine.

Some big names still out there: Mike Sweeney, Vladimir Guerrero, Brian Giles, Rick Ankiel, Gary Sheffield and Xavier Nady.

Staying Power: Sox Can't Shake Lowell

By Rick Eggleston
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Is it possible to trade Mike Lowell and not trade Mike Lowell at the same time? If you’re the Red Sox, apparently you can.

Leave it to the Red Sox to turn an otherwise mundane matter into a game of hot potato. With Lowell playing the role of the Sox' proverbial potato, to date Boston has had no luck dropping the five-time all-star third baseman. Instead, the 2007 World Series MVP continues to keep landing right back into the Sox’ hot little hands. This, after a recent deal to trade Lowell to the Texas Rangers in exchange for rookie prospect Max Ramirez went up in smoke when it was revealed Lowell would require surgery on his ailing right thumb.

It’s pretty clear that the Red Sox are through with Lowell, as evidenced by their most recent attempt to move the injury-plagued corner man to Texas. Coming off a season in which he was slowed by a balky hip that required surgery last offseason, Lowell still managed to put up OK numbers batting .209 with 17 home runs and 75 RBI. Lowell’s numbers nearly mirrored his 2008 season — the first of a three-year $38 million contract — with the Sox, who awarded Lowell the extension following his 21 homers and career-high 120 RBI effort in 2007.

Now, after what are soon to be two surgeries later, Lowell enters the final year of his contract still a Red Sox — something arguably GM Theo Epstein and company weren’t expecting. Not with free agents Adrian Beltre and San Diego Adrian Gonzalez both still available, and journeyman Casey Kotchman slated — for now — to start at first and Kevin Youkilis taking over at third.

Quite simply, there’s nowhere to put Lowell, who will have plenty of veteran company on the bench with catcher Jason Varitek having more-or-less agreed to backup Victor Martinez, while Tim Wakefield may lose his starting job now that John Lackey is aboard. The Red Sox may enter 2010 with the deepest bench in MLB.

Red Sox luck out with Lackey

By Rick Eggleston
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Then there’s John Lackey. While Roy Halladay may be this offseason’s coveted pitching prize, the Red Sox aren’t about to let the soon-to-be former Toronto hurler hold them for ransom. Instead Lackey is, and at a reportedly $85 million for five years, the former Angels right-hander will prove to be worth every penny as the Sox regain the throne from the Yankees in possessing the league’s best starting rotation.

Lackey joins a Sox rotation that’s already solid with the likes of Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka. His presence now puts the Sox back on par with the Yankees’ starters, who won the World Series after landing last year’s big offseason pitching ticket, CC Sabathia.

Lackey’s pending arrival is reminiscent of 2004’s acquisition of Curt Schilling. A tough customer in his own right, Schilling was at first hesitant to come to Boston and it took the now famous Thanksgiving visit by Sox general manager Theo Epstein and owner John Henry to convince him to sign on the dotted line. Eleven months later, Schilling proved instrumental in leading the Red Sox to their first World Series title in 86 years and then again in 2007.

Likewise, Lackey is a big-game pitcher whose presence will help get Boston back to the World Series, a place he has not been since he led Anaheim to the 2002 title. Needless-to-say, Lackey (11-8 with a 3.81 ERA last season) is hungry for a return there, especially after being eliminated in the playoffs by the Sox twice in the last five years, and most recently by the Yankees this past season. In addition, his fiery, no-nonsense approach to the game has him fitting in well in Boston, whose fans arguably harbored little love for him as an Angel. But now that he’s presumably set to sign with the Sox, they’re more than happy to have him aboard — much like the Celtics’ pick-up of Rasheed Wallace over the summer.

The trick now for the Sox is providing Lackey and company the needed run support that ultimately translates into wins. While Jason Bay’s recent and somewhat surprising prima donna antics certainly aren’t helping things, viable options are out there. It’s just up to Epstein to find them and has with veteran Gold Glove outfielder Mike Cameron poised to join the team today.

Granderson gives Yankees big boost

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The 2009 World Series champs just got a lot stronger.

Welcome to New York, Curtis Granderson.

The Yankees didn't sit back after winning the title. Instead, they shot the first bullet at the Red Sox by landing a premier center fielder.

Yes, the Yankees did give up one of their top prospects, 22-year-old outfielder Austin Jackson, and pitcher Ian Kennedy (a back-of-the-rotation arm) and lefty reliever Phil Coke (he had an up- and-down season), but with a chance to get Granderson in his prime, it was a no-brainer.

I'm not saying that Granderson is a superstar, but he's a very good player --an all-star player -- both offensively and defensively.

He can run like the wind in center, tracking balls down in the gap that many outfielders can't reach. That's exactly what the Yankees needed, better outfield defense.

He's also got some real pop in his bat. Granderson hit 30 homers with 71 RBIs and 20 steals for the Detroit Tigers last year.

Those are the good numbers, but he does need some work (.249 BA, .327 OBP, 141 Ks).

Granderson's average has dropped the last three season from .302 to .280 to .249, so that is concerning. But he's proven that even if he whiffs 141 times (he did that in 2007) he can still hit for average (he hit .302 with 185 hits in 2007).

Granderson is currently a four-tool player (he doesn't hit for average right now) and a player the Yanks coveted.

The Yankees can now move Melky Cabrera to a corner outfield spot (figuring left field and Nick Swisher in right), or they can still re-sign Johnny Damon and play him in left and at DH.

They have flexibility now with Granderson in place.

He's a guy that should fit nicely into that lineup --either in the 2-hole or lower in the order when he faces lefties (he hit just .183 vs. southpaws).

But Yankee fans should expect sensational defense in center, 30-plus HR power, especially with that short right-field porch in Yankee Stadium, 20-30 steals (or more) and a .270 batting average (hitting coach Kevin Long will improve his plate coverage and patience).

If you're scoring at home: Yankees 1, Red Sox 0

It's V-Mart Over V-Tek

By Rick Eggleston
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

With the baseball season coming to its official close on the field following the Yankees’ impressive six-game drubbing of the Phillies — so much for picking Philly — all eyes turn to MLB's general managers meetings in Chicago.

Not surprisingly, the Red Sox arrived in Chi-Town this week with their own issues. At the top of their list is veteran catcher Jason Varitek, who has until midnight tonight to decide whether to exercise his $3 million player option after the team announced that it wouldn’t pick up his $5 million team option. That’s because they wisely picked up last season’s mid-year acquisition — and Varitek replacement — catcher Victor Martinez’ $7.1 million team option instead.

While working out a long-term deal with Martinez has yet to be discussed, the Red Sox would be smart to get something done soon. Martinez, whose .303 average, 23 homers and 108 RBI ranked him among the team’s offensive leaders, is the Sox’ catcher of now and for the future. Varitek, on the other hand, is yesterday’s news.

Should Varitek, who’s coming off a career-worst season at the plate where he finished with a .209 average, activate his player option, he’d become a $3 million backup catcher for the Sox. Not a bad payday for guy whose skills both defensively and offensively have deteriorated in recent years. Thus, Varitek’s value has decreased, and he would be hard-pressed to do any better in free agency.

The exact opposite remains true for Martinez, who if he’s permitted to reach free agency if the Sox don’t hammer out something with the former Indians backstop soon, will be able to command top dollar on the open market. Whether he elects to do that is entirely up to the Sox, who certainly possess the resources to get him to stay.

Then again, Martinez could play hardball and choose to test the waters himself no matter what the Sox offer. Hopefully, this won’t be the case for the mere fact Scott Boras isn’t Martinez’s agent.

Grow up Red Sox Nation!

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The New York Yankees are going to the World Series!!!

It's a great day in Yankeeville, but for the Nation it's a very dark day.

I just can't believe all the frauds that wear a Boston Red Sox "B" on their cap and have now come out of the woodwork to cheer on the Phillies.

It's a complete joke if you ask me.

Granted, Red Sox and Yankees fans each don't get along -- we all know that's well documented - but the Nation is back to spewing insults in every direction, hoping that the hated Yankees don't win the World Series.

Go to any Internet site where there's Yankees talk or even Red Sox talk -- even Facebook for that matter -- and you'll find all the haters coming out of every direction to bash the Yankees.

For you Red Sox fans who don't appreciate the fine art of baseball, it's totally false that the Yankees suck. Time to realize it, accept it and move on.

It's funny how Red Sox fans are suppose to cheer for their team only and hate everyone else that stands in the way of the Nation, but now fans are turning in their Red Sox red for Phillies red? Come on now. The biggest supporters of the Phillies now live in New England?

Excuse me while I barf.

I know there's no way in hell that Sox fans will root for the Yankees -- and I wouldn't expect them, too, either -- but to go way out of your way to fire off insults and do anything in your verbal power to try to jinx or bash the Yankees is a little childish in my book.

The Yankees made the World Series and finished off the Angels which the Red Sox couldn't do, but big deal. Root for the Phillies all you want, but your team has been eliminated already so pipe down.

Ever hear of when you lose you're not suppose to talk trash, you're in no position to do so? Plus, no one will take your seriously.

Actually, it's nice to see that there are some Red Sox fans that do appreciate "good baseball" as one of my Red Sox friends puts it, but the hate, arrogance, negativity and jealousy just makes you look bad.

You win with class and lose with class. Tip your cap on a job well done and move on.

Obviously, a good portion of the Nation (I will not group everyone in that statement) hasn't figured that out.

Even with Loss, Sox fans can take a sigh of relief, maybe

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

In the grand scheme of the 2009 season, a 9-5 loss to the Yankees means absolutely nothing. The Red Sox really have no chance of winning the AL East crown, and it would take a monumental collapse for them to lose the Wild Card race in the American League. What does matter is Jon Lester's health. If you watched the game, saw the highlights, or simply read another article about what happened to Lester in the bottom of the third, than you know how bad it looked for the playoff chances of the Red Sox.

I saw the play live, and have seen the highlight a hundred times, and I still am shocked to see that the x-rays were negative. Apparently he just has a bruise to his quadriceps. By all accounts, Jon Lester and the Red Sox got lucky. My question is this. Have they? I have never been, or will ever be a pitching coach, but I do know that an injury to a pitcher's plant leg is no small thing. While he'll still be able to drive with the other leg, if you're plant leg is tender, and in pain, it's going to cause inconsistency in you delivery at the best, and could even play games with a pitcher's mentality. I wouldn't want a pitcher of mine to keep thinking about how it's going to hurt when you finish your delivery. My guess is Lester misses his next start to get him ready for the playoffs. That would be the smart, prudent thing for the Sox to do.

I think that despite the good news, Jon Lester's effectiveness in the playoffs took a major hit last night. All we have to do now is wait and see.

Byrd not the word. Sox staff could strenghten itself from within

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Paul Byrd was pretty awful last night in Chicago as the Red Sox lost 12-2. Byrd lasting a scant 2 1/2 innings while giving up 7 earned runs on 10 hits. Ouch! Luckily for the BoSox, the calendar said it's September 4th and that means expanded rosters. Still, it wasn't good to see Junichi Tazawa only last 3 2/3 innings himself. To me, the real story is how Byrd fared against a real major league lineup. He impressed last week against the Toronto Blue Jays, but really he faced a team that had given up on the season. The White Sox brass may have given up on the season, but so far the Sox roster hasn't. That was evident last night as Paul Byrd may have made his final, or next to final start for the Sox this season.

Tim Wakefield takes to the bump this afternoon in a very important start for him and the Red Sox. In addition to Wake's return, Dice-k had himself a strong start last night for Pawtucket. If Wake and the Japanese enigma can make a decent return to the rotation, then a recent Red Sox weakness flips itself into a potential strength. With the return of Wakefield and Matzusaka, they round out the rotation after Lester, a struggling Beckett and suddenly consistent Bucholtz.

If Wake and Dice-k can return and be productive, maybe it's time to give Josh Beckett a rest. The Big Texan has been awful over his past 4 starts. He's already eclipsed the 180 innings pitched mark and looks like he needs to rejuvenate himself for the playoff run.

I think the Red Sox may now be poised to create some breathing room in the Wild Card Race. When they do that, they can start getting Beckett, and a few other players some much needed rest.

Sox have pitcher to thank for win, but it aint Buchholz

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

With two outs and his team up by three, it was Jose Contreras that sparked the Red Sox offense with a botched play on a slow roller that should have ended the inning and a bases-full threat.

These are the kind of breaks the Red Sox haven't gotten much lately and when they have gotten them, they haven't taken advantage.

But Monday night, the Red Sox offense looked like the offense they expected to have when they acquired Victor Martinez. Instead of squandering a bases-loaded situation, the Sox blasted Contreras right out of the game with six runs in the third. Then they added two more in the fourth to take a 7-4 lead.

That should have been enough. For most pitchers, it would have been.

Enter Clay Buchholz, the unpredictable.

After three solid - though not stelar - outings prior, Buchholz failed to get out of the fifth inning for the third time in eight starts this season, giving up a big fly to maybe the most underrated first baseman in the league, Paul Konerko to tie the game back up.

But in fine fashion, the Red Sox' offense was relentless, something it hasn't been very often this season, despite the talent level. At best, they have been inconsistent. Is it finally coming together? Boston had 13 hits - seven for extra bases. Yes, it did take an error to prevent yet another squander, but the big thing is the Red Sox were able to capitalize on the blunder for more than just a run or two.

With the pitching staff in such a state of flux, the offense will have to take every opportunity it can get in order to stay in games. Maybe Monday night was a sign of things to come.

Beckett gets bombed again

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Another outing like that and Josh Beckett will have pitched his way right out of Cy Young contention.

In fact, over his last two starts, Beckett has looked less like the ace and more like the shell-shocked National League pitcher who came to the Red Sox in 2006.

Before getting rocked in back-to-back outings, Beckett had won eight of his previous thirteen starts dating back to the beginning of June. Over that span he posted a 2.10 ERA and gave up six home runs. Fast forward to his last two outings against Toronto and tonight's debacle against the Yankees. Over those two games alone, Beckett allowed eight home runs and saw his season ERA rise just a shade under half a run.

This is not the time for Beckett to be imploding. Or is it?

Over his career, there is only one month that has been a losing one for Beckett and we just happen to be smack dab in the middle of that month. Going into tonight's game, Beckett had a career record of 14-15 with an ERA over 4.00 and historically, his K/BB ratio takes a dive.

But fear not, Sox fans, for we know more than any that Josh Beckett is no burnout. In fact, in September, he boasts a career 18-8 record and a 2.86 ERA, a 1.32 run difference from month to month. The division is all but decided and was before this series with the Yankees ever came to pass. But do not forget that there is still a month of meaningful baseball left to be played. Thanks to the loss tonight, the Texas Rangers are breathing down the Red Sox' necks at just a game back and Tampa Bay is making a play at the Wild Card after taking two of three from those Rangers.

While the Red Sox don't face Texas at all and will require help keeping them at bay, Boston has two upcoming series in September against the Rays. If the rotation continues in the pattern it should, Beckett will take his good September numbers and his solid numbers against the Rays (6-4, 3.63 ERA, 98 K in 84.1 innings) into what could be some critical games.

You always want your ace to be on, but this is especially the time when you need him to come up big. He failed to do it tonight, but history suggests he could be up to rebound in a big way.

We can only hope.

Does Boston have the arms to make the playoffs?

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It's really sad to see.

The team that was said of have one of the best pitching staffs in the game heading into the season is now relying on Clay Buchholz and Junichi Tazawa to get into the playoffs.

Remember when nothing made you more confident than to look at the Red Sox' rotation heading into a pivotal series? It seems a million years ago. Brad Penny didn't look so bad when he was your fifth starter. Now he's your third and lo and behold, the Red Sox are being left in the dust in the AL East and now trail in the Wild Card race.

Josh Beckett and Jon Lester have been all that you would expect them to be. Beckett has to be one of the favorites for the Cy Young award, especially with his current tear. He's 7-1 in his last 10 starts with a 1.93 ERA. Clearly he has done everything you could ask of your ace. Lester, likewise, has looked more than solid. He hasn't earned a decision in his last four starts, but has only allowed nine runs in 24.6 innings (3.29 ERA) in that span.

But Penny has been simply atrocious basically since the All-Star break. He's won just one of his six starts and dropped four with an ERA north of 6.50 after making Theo Epstein look like a genius over the first half of the season, especially when June rolled along. Perhaps the whiplash is getting to him, as he's allowed seven post-All-Star homers after giving up just 10 taters in 17 starts to begin the year.

Buchholz has done nothing to give Sox fans a warm and fuzzy feeling. He's learning the hard way once again that there's a major difference between AAA hitters and major league ones. Yes, he's been left out to dry in his last two starts by zero run support, but he's very lucky he hasn't gotten blown up with that 20/19 K/BB ratio. In fact, he's failed to strike out more batters than he's walked in each of his last three outings.

Tazawa has been placed in one tough position after another. Ok, go hold off the Yankees in extra innings in your first big-league appearance. Ok, go beat the Tigers on the road. Ok, help us hold the lead in the Wild Card against Texas. The kid has 20 professional appearances before being called up and while people have raved about his talent (though he has been overshadowed by Buchholz and Michael Bowden), he's still a green 23-year-old. Expect a lot more where today's outing came from against quality opponents (5 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 3BB, 0K).

Is this team and its postseason hopes fading away as its pitching staff falls apart? John Smoltz was an epic failure. You can't blame the organization for taking a gamble on a future Hall-of-Famer, but you can question their decision not to hold him out for longer, even when he complained. Anyone counting on Daisuke Matsuzaka needs to step away from the pipe and head to their nearest N.A. meeting. It seems ridiculous to say, but at this point, the Red Sox desperately need Tim Wakefield and unfortunately, he's still limping around.

Two pitchers does not a rotation make and at this point, that is what the Red Sox have to work with.

So much for a rejuvinated offense

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sport Staff

Yes, Sox fans. It was as ugly as it seemed.

In the six-game embarasment that was the Red Sox' last road trip, they found pretty much every concievable way to lose a ballgame.

But in pretty much all of them, there was one common theme - an extreme lack off offense. And as bad as it looked, when you mull over the numbers, it's enough to make a grown man cry.

Let's start with the basics. The Red Sox managed to score a whopping 16 runs on 39 hits over the six-game stretch. Now remember that two of those games went into extras, so in reality, Boston scored 16 runs in 64 innings. Average that out and the Red Sox scored once every four innings. You can't win ballgames that way. Not against good teams.

Who can you blame? How about everybody? As a team, the Red Sox batted a dismal .176, accumulating just 39 hits in 222 at bats. At the top of the order, Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia were unproductive. The leadoff hittter batted .233, while the former MVP was just a shade better at .240. But wait, it gets worse. Here's a list of the Red Sox' key players who laid eggs in the pivotal series.

Victor Martinez: 6-for-26 (.231)
Kevin Youkilis: 5-for-23 (.217)
J.D. Drew: 4-for-19 (.210)
Mike Lowell: 2-for-13 (.154)
David Ortiz: 1-for-18 (.056)
Jason Varitek: 1-for-19 (.053)

Jason Bay was absent for most of the week because of a re-aggravated hamstring injury, but he went 2-for-8, extending his horrible post-All-Star slump. He's now batting .204 since the Midsummer Classic. (In the process, he's become a statistical enigma of sorts. He is slugging just .296, but stil has an on-base percentage of .377 in that time.)

The road trip was one of the worst stretches of offense in Red Sox history, including a scoreless streak of 31 straight innings. At least they avoided getting shut out in back-to-back-to-back games for the first time since 1981.

Say what you will about John Smoltz. The rest of the starting pitching in either series was good enough that they could have won. Jon Lester was superb in both of his starts. Josh Beckett was dominant through seven innings in his start against the Yankees. Clay Buchholz was less than spectacular, but still wriggled his way through six inning to put the Red Sox into a decent position in game three of the Yankees series. Brad Penny did not pitch well, but five runs is not exactly disastrous.

Some could point to the bullpen being the problem, having been tagged with the loss in three of the six games and some of the blame could be placed on it, but consider how much they have had to pitch over those last six games and it's not hard to see that they miss having a long man like Justin Masterson (though I doubt anyone would be willing to hand Victor Martinez back). And had the Red Sox been able to muster anything more than nine hits in the combined 28 innings of the two extra-inning games they played, maybe, just maybe those games could have been a lot shorter.

You have to also tip your cap to the opposing pitchers, especially the Yankees, but some of the blame has to fall on what was supposed to be one of the better, most balanced lineups in baseball. Now the Red Sox sit at a .262 batting average as a team, planting them behind the Seattle Mariners in that department. That's just not going to do it for a team that wants to hold onto its postseason dreams.

A-Bomb by A-Rod ends it in the 15th

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Ho hum, it was just another marathon (5:33) game between the Yankees and Red Sox. Not really, at least for the Sox. Did you stay up and watch the entire game? This one was a big loss for the Red Sox for several reasons. The Sox are now 4.5 games behind the Yankees and 4 in the loss column. The Sox desperately needed to win this game and not waste a very nice pitching performance by Josh Beckett. a 15 inning game was the last thing a tired Boston bullpen needed with two more games to play in this pivotal series.

By no means is the season over for the Boston Red Sox, but they are in a serious slide right now. Their timely hitting has been so god awful, especially over the past two games in the Bronx. I now AJ Burnett was dealing last night, but he also walked 6 batters. You'd think a team would be able to play a little small ball and try to manufacture a run, but that's just not what the Red Sox do. The positive from this game is how well the bullpen did pitch, with the exception of Junichi Tazawa's big league debut. I will not blame him though because it can't be easy to make your debut in an extra inning game, in the biggest rivalry in baseball, in Yankee Stadium. I will wit hold judgement until I see him pitch again.

After losing the first two games of the season, the Red Sox now must take the remaining two games of the series.

Pedroia's plunking could be just the spark

By Jorge Bannister
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Unknot those panties about at least one thing, Red Sox Nation. Dustin Pedroia getting hit on the shoulder in the eighth inning by Mark Melancon was not intentional. Trust me.

The New York Yankees were already up, 13-4. It doesn’t matter that Pedroia had hit a home run earlier in the game. The Yankees were up, 13-4. It doesn’t matter that Melancon threw a pitch over Pedroia’s head. The Yankees were up, 13-4. Note that Melancon struggled after Pedroia, too, throwing a 57 foot fastball to Victor Martinez. And, please, don’t forget, the Yankees were up, 13-4.

I can understand Pedroia’s reaction to the whole situation. He hit a homer earlier in the game and a pitch earlier in the at-bat flew high over his head. He then got plunked high on his left bicep.

I give major credit to Jorge Posada for walking Pedroia down the first-base line to keep him in check. The view inside the Red Sox dugout didn’t look too friendly when NESN scanned — especially the sour look on Kevin Youkilis’ face. (Or, maybe he was just upset he was pulled for a defensive replacement late in the game. He was, after all, playing left field.)

Let’s remember one thing, though. Say it with me, now, “The Yankees were up, 13-4.”

I was surrounded by Red Sox fans when the incident happened, and someone said, “It’ll be interesting to see who the Sox hit.”

Really? Because, home-plate umpire Derryl Cousins had warned both dugouts immediately after the hit by pitch.

No way was anyone going to get tossed in a 13-4 game and risk Terry Francona getting tossed and, subsequently, fined by Major League Baseball.

Obviously, Josh Beckett is going to handle things tonight. The only question is, who is he going to hit?

Derek Jeter seems logical. He’s the same spark-plug for that team that Pedroia is for the Red Sox. However, even with warnings handed out, A.J. Burnett would certainly hit someone in return. No way would he let someone hit the captain without retaliating, right?

This is when things will get interesting.

The Red Sox need a spark — badly.

Question is, can Chad Fairchild — tonight's home-plate umpire — justify throwing out Beckett after the inevitable hit by pitch? If so, Tito would certainly get tossed, too.

That would certainly be just the spark the Red Sox need.

Bats...and Buchholz...go boom in Baltimore

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It was both an encouraging and disturbing day for the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards yesterday. Where to begin? Well, let's start with the positive.

The Red Sox scored 18 runs. Yep. The offense that was simply dreadful coming out of the All-Star break appears to have awakened. 23 hits, seven walks and only three strikeouts. What's more, they did it with the starting corner outfielders sitting on the bench. Jason Bay had the day off and J.D. Drew appeared to aggravate his groin injury legging out a triple in the first inning. The Red Sox are now 7-3 since snapping their five-game losing streak, averaging seven runs per game over that span.

Victor Martinez looks like he's settled right in with the Red Sox lineup. The Sox' big trade deadline splash went 5-for-6 yesterday with a double four RBI. Since coming to Boston two days ago, he's had as many RBI as Jason Bay had the entire month of July. In the first two games, Terry Francona has batted him third, where he primarily hit in Cleveland with a .304/.380/.490 line.

Josh Reddick continues to fill in admirably. Since coming up from AAA Pawtuckett, where he had a .277/.352/.520 line, Reddick has been asked to start twice, once in the place of J.D. Drew and once in the place of Jason Bay. In those two days, the 22-year-old has accomplished a plethora of firsts. Saturday, he recorded his first major-league hit and first major league double. The double was one of two he had, making it also his first multi-hit game. Sunday, he belted his first major-league homer, netted his first major-league RBI and scored his first major-league run. It's a very small sample size, but in three games (two starts, one pinch-hit), Reddick has a .364/.417/818 line with two doubles, a homer, two RBI and two runs scored. This probably won't keep, as scouts on every level have said he needs to polish his approach at the plate, but it's nice to see.

And now the negative. There's only really one big one.

Clay Buchholz showed his appreciation to the Red Sox brass for holding onto him by allowing seven runs in four innings to the AL East's worst team. And it was even worse than it sounds. Buchholz gave up nine hits and four walks. It seems odd, given that he threw 46 of his 76 pitches (61 percent) for strikes, but that just means he had no command. When he missed, he missed bad and when he hit the zone, he put it right in the O's hitters' wheelhouse. The Orioles' problems have never revolved around the offense, which is fourth in the majors in batting average, but that more illustrates the point than acts as an excuse. When you're against a team that can hit, you need to be more conscious of where you're putting the ball. Buchholz didn't do that and as a result, saw his ERA rise from 3.52 to 6.05. He hasn't made it out of the sixth inning in any of his five starts, giving up 28 hits - including 9 in each of his last two starts - in 19.1 innings and has a putrid 14/11 K/BB ratio.