SawxBlog

Red Sox YouTube MOZ - Red Sox vs. Yankees Edition

We all remember what happened the last the time the Red Sox and Yankees faced off against each other with Joba the Hut and Youk. Peter Gammons let Mike and Mike know today that he didn't think the Red Sox were going to retaliate for that this series. It's thought that Chamberlin and the Yankees were retaliating for when Matsuzaka hit A-Rod in the back, when in reality i was Dice-K just not having very good control. Not like the Red Sox / Yankees need any additional help in generating hype for a mid-September season series finale, but it should be interesting to keep an eye on.

The Yankees currentlly lead the season series 8-7 so if the Red Sox can win two out of three they can not only secure the AL East title, but win the season series. Again, much like a few weeks ago, the Red Sox have the ability to really hurt the Yankees playoff chances with a sweep, however I'm not putting much stock in the Tigers ability to string together a bunch of wins together. So this is it, the last Red Sox Yankees series of the year, that is unless we meet again in the ALCS. As always, should be nerver racking and fun, I can't wait.

Big Papi's Back as Red Sox Walkoff Against the Rays

Big Papi hitting a walkoff home run during a pennant race in September is something that's always good to see, and is something I'll never get tired of. Ortiz basically put the Red Sox on his back last night. Things didn't look so hot for the Sox in the beginning either with Lester getting hit by the D-Rays at virtual will. He settled down well enough though and kept the Sox in the game and gave them a chance to win. Now if we can just get Manny back we'll be in business!

Red Sox Out Slug D-Rays, Win 16-10

It was high-fives all around for Mike Lowell & Posse. (AP Photo)

It wasn't looking good early on for the Red Sox as the D-Rays hopped out to an early 8-1 lead off of starter Tim Wakefield, but the Sox bats never relented and hit their way back into the game in impressive fashion. You don't normally want to be in games of this high scoring nature, however at this point in the regular season you take any type of victory you can get. The win puts the Red Sox back to thirty games over .500 and maintained their two game lead over the Angels for the best record in the AL.

Wakefield was trying to tie his career high in victories at 17 however his knuckler just wasn't knucklin' and the D-Rays made him pay. It's kind of odd that the day after a 1-0 game the two teams combined for 26 runs and 38 hits but such is baseball I guess, every new day presents a new story. The Red Sox lead the season series against the D-Rays now 10-4 and wrap up this series tonight with Jon Lester taking the hill.

The Red Sox have an off day tomorrow before they welcome the New York Yankees into town for a pivotal series at Fenway this weekend which will most likely finally determine the fate of the AL East. I'd love to hear more on when Manny Ramirez is expected to be back, and hope this rest for him ends up being the best thing for both him and the team come playoff time. It's hard not to be a little skeptical on Manny given his past, and especially with teammates of his feeling like he quit on them last year, so...we'll see. The focus for now is on Lester and tonight, and getting that magic number down to 12, time, for once, is on our side.

Red Sox Get Beat By D-Rays, But Derek & Dad Still Win

Me and my Dad before the game yesterday. (SawxBlog Photo - Jeannine Booton)

Last nights game was very frustrating from a game perspective, however, from a life perspective, it was one of the best I've ever been to. I went to the game last night with two of my favorite people in the world, my Father and my girlfriend Jeannine. This was the first time that I've been in Fenway Park with my Dad since the early 90's, and especially with everything my family has had to endure this past summer, it was emotional, and awesome all in one breath.

We ended up going to the 'No Scalp Zone' at Fenway which is a place where season ticket holders sell their tickets at face value to fans who are looking to go to the game. This is located right at Gate B by the Ted Williams statue. I'd much rather give my money to these people then those scum bag scalpers any day of the week, and I suggest this as an option to any fans looking to score some tickets. It'll obviously be harder to do this during marquee games (i.e. - This weekends Yankee series), but it's definitely a good option. We ended up getting some really great seats in the section 26 Loge Box, the only draw back was that the seats were $80.00 a piece, however I would have pretty much paid anything to see the game from nice seats with my Pops.

It is a little ridiculous how expensive tickets are in Fenway though. It's virtually impossible for a working class man to be able to take his family to a game. I feel like so many scalpers and corporations control the majority of tickets at Fenway that it ends up alienating the true Red Sox fan, present company included. But that's a different topic for a different day I guess.

Watching the pitching duel that ensued between Schilling and Kazmir was awesome. It's been so long snce Dad's been to Fenway, and to be able to sit there and talk baseball with him was priceless. The last time my Dad was at a ballpark was at Wrigley Field in Chicago with my brother, his wife, and my Mom in May. So this obviously was special to both him and I, and I'm sure my Mom was up there with the big guy looking down and smiling on us.

To view more pictures of last nights game please Click Here, or look under Photo Albums on the right hand side of the site.

Help Me take my Dad to the Game Tonight!

Hey SawxBlog Readers and Red Sox fans alike. I don't normally ask for a favor such as this, however I figured it can't hurt to ask. If you've been reading SawxBlog then you know my Dad's been in town this week visiting me, and you also know that a few weeks ago we lost my mother to cancer. We both (along with my girlfriend Jeannine, aka - Ms.SawxBlog) would love to go to the game tonight, and I think it would be a good and fun distraction for us. We're looking for three tickets together and are open to sit anywhere however I'd rather not sit in the RF Grandstand. (Will entertain 4 together if that's all you have)

The closer the better obviously however I'm not exactly J.D. Drew rich here so I can't drop too much loot on the game. This will be the first time I've been to the park with my Pops since the early 90's and I'm really looking forward to it.

Thanks in advance for any help, and again sorry for using SawxBlog for something like this, I don't do this ever but this is a little different.

Thanks again and "talk" to you all soon :-)

Derek

A Superb Sunday for New England Fans - Beckett Shines & Moss Owns

Beckett & Moss both showed why they're the best at what they do Sunday. (SawxBlog Montage / AP Photos)

The only thing that could've made yesterday more enjoyable for Boston (New England) fans would have been if the Celtics played the Lakers and Garnett went out and scored a triple double, with Ray Allen netting 32, and The Truth getting a solid double-double. While the Patriots were absolutely handing it to their AFC East "rivals" in Giants Stadium, the Red Sox were in a nail biter in Camden Yards in their season finale against the Baltimore Orioles.

My father is staying in my apartment with Jeannine and I for the week and yesterday was just a great day to be with him, especially with all that's happened in the past two months in our family. I'm sure we weren't the only people around who were making the 'last' button on our T.V. remote earn its keep as we were bouncing back and forth between the Pats game on CBS, and the Red Sox game on NESN.

It didn't seem to be going so well for the Red Sox yesterday as the offense just looked to be stuck in a low gear all day long, and it seemed that Cy Young candidate Josh Beckett may not be able to pick up  his MLB leading 18th win of the year. Beckett should have had a lead before the Red Sox batted in the top 8th, and they should have had that lead because of Kevin Youkilis. Kevin looked absolutely uncomfortable running the bases, and he practically crab-walked into second base when the hit and run was on with Varitek at the plate. Youk seriously could injure himself, and he looked terrified to slide and get dirty which just seems so absolutely un-Youk-like. When Coco (more on him in a bit) layed down that beautiful bunt in the top of the 7th Youk should have easily been safe, however he didn't slide into third, and he actually slowed up when coming into third. I really hope he doesn't have some sort of injury that we're not aware of because like I said, these things are things that Youk never does. You never have to question his hustle or desire, so he obviously gets a pass here.

Aside from Kevin Youklis and his crab walking around the bases, how the Red Sox actually won yesterday's game was very impressive. The combination of J.D. Drew, Jason Varitek, & Coco Crisp helped generate the third and deciding run through a combination of good hitting and good base running. Beckett was very gutsy in his win, striking out 8 and walking none while throwing a total of 116 pitches. The combination of Okajima and Papelbon once again proved to be deadly to the opposition as they just breezed through the defeated Orioles. Paps just looks absolutely light out right now, and seems to be peaking at a very good time.

On the other side of the remote Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and the rest of the Patriots looked even better then most fans had expected, and expectations were high. I as a Patriots fan have never been able to root for a player like Randy Moss (no offense Irving Fryer, Terry Glenn, or Deion Branch) and man was it exciting. Seeing him blow by those three Jet defenders was just amazing, he looked like he was barely moving, and that's a tell-tale sign. When an athlete is dominating a game and making it look effortless you know you're watching a player of extraordinary ability. And in case no one else is saying it, hats off to the Patriots ofensive line, Brady could have set a picnic up in the pocket and wined and wooed Giselle  back there. Like I said a Superb Sunday, and hopefully Schilling can keep the positive vibrations rolling against Kazmir and the D-Rays.

Dice-KO'd by Orioles in Baltimore

Tito should have taken Dice-K out WAY sooner then he did. (AP Photo)

So Red Sox Nation, how worried are we now about Dice-K now? I'd say I'm fairly concerned, but I'm not even close to being truly worried. Dice-K certainly hasn't looked too good in his last few starts and while watching the game with my father yesterday I came to a few conclusions.

1. He now been in America for awhile now, and he's never been away from his native Japan for an extended period of time such as this. It has to get lonely after awhile, and as we all know, the baseball season is a long grueling journey.
2. This is the first time Dice-K has ever pitched in a 5 man rotation (it was 6 in Japan) and I would think this is the time of the year it'd start catching up with him.
3. He's never faced this type of competition for this long of an extended period of time ever in his career. And it's not like this is any other division in baseball, it's the AL East. One of the most dangerous and fearful divisions to pitch in in the league.

But if you're going to have to struggle now is the time to do it (September), and the Orioles (a team not in contention) are the team to do it against. My hope is that the seriousness of the pennant race will catch up with Matsuzaka and he'll start to pitch some of his better baseball.

He's always been at the top of his game in playoff and tournament type situations, so seeing how he reacts in the playoffs should be telling. I wouldn't panic on him yet Red Sox Nation, I'd just keep a special eye on him, and hope to see him turn things around.

Daniel Cabcrybaby Throws At Pedroia's Head - Benches Clear

I can't even possibly imagine what the O's could be arguing here. (AP Photo)

I just got back to Boston from Newport (the wedding was amazing) however I wasn't able to watch any of the game and had to wait until this morning to see the highlights on ESPN, and from what I've seen and read so far, that was completely bush league by Cabrera. Throwing at Pedroia's head, after he screwed up with the balk, is just dangerous and childish. Anyone who knows anything about baseball could easily see that this was intentional, and saying that ball slipped makes him not only a bush league ballplayer, but a liar as well. Two for Friday I guess.

Terry Francona put the night in the best context though when he said this: "We're in the middle of a pennant race here. We've got more important things to worry about." Well put indeed. The Orioles are obviously frustrated as they should be. The Red Sox are 11-5 against them so far this year and are 25 games ahead of the lowly O's. Every time the Red Sox come into Camden Yards there are literally more Red Sox fans then Oriole fans (Baltimore fans I'm sorry, but that's just embarrassing) and that really has to add up after awhile on the Baltimore players. We only face the Orioles two more time this season (today & tomorrow) and man are these games going to be interesting.

Aside from "the story" of last night, the real story was how well Jon Lester once again pitched for us. This is the third victory in a row for Lester, and it just makes you beam with pride to see him pitch well like this after his ordeal with cancer. Lester has now improved to 4-0 on the season (half of Cabreara's wins...) and has now lowered his ERA to a respectable 4.47.

So the real end of story here is that the Red Sox magic number is now only 15 games, Lester looked good, and our winning ways of September continue as we improve to 6-1 in the month. I would love to see the over/under on whether Dice-K or Beckett throws at some of the Orioles.

Lastly, Ms.SawxBlog (Jeannine) wondered if Kevin Millar is ever at all conflicted when these things happen with the Red Sox? I'd say deep down yes, but the Orioles are his teammates now. Guy's got a guaranteed job at NESN the day his retires though, so he wouldn't want to mess that up!

Captain Clutch - Varitek's Single Gives Red Sox Win

Youk greet Coco at the plate after his 3-run blast. (AP Photo)

Instead of doing the traditional post today I'll be giving you the tried and true random thoughts, so without further ado...

Random Thoughts

• It was great to have Tim Wakefield back, however that did not look very much like the 2007 version of Timmy Knuckleball. I'm not worried, just a little concerned.
• Doug Mirabelli you're freaking useless. If being really slow, hitting below or near the Mendoza Line, and the ability to catch a knuckleball some of the time are all you need to be the Boston Red Sox back-up catcher then sign me up! I guarantee that I'm faster then 80% of the Red Sox, and bet you I could sniff .200, and shoot, I'd learn to catch the knuckle ball. Doug E. Fresh  left in the third inning with a strained left hamstring, lets Cash in Kevin and shelve Dougie, he's going deep for the Sox no more.
• How nice was it see Tek and Coco doing what they did last night. I'm telling you, if our role players can get going look out October.
• Clay being Clay. 3.0 innings and 1 hit, yawn. Homeboy loves to pitch against the Orioles apparently, who knew?
• Kevin Youkilis is about to break the All-Time record for most consecutive innings without an error at first base. If him and Coco don't get Gold Gloves this year then they got absolutely robbed.
• Another come from behind victory late. I told you back on August 16th that that was a good loss against the D-Rays and would be something we'd remember in the later innings and in games in general. Hopefully the Red Sox also feel like they're never out of a game.
• Want to send a big Congrats to my friends Becky and Josh. They're getting married today and I'm off to Newport in a bit to witness their vows and take advantage of that open bar! I wonder if the Sox game is allowed to be on anywhere...hmmmmm....hah ha!

Red Sox get Verned by Wells in 9th Inning, Toronto Beats Boston 6-4

Vernon Wells watches his game winning shot sail into the bleachers. (AP Photo)

It may be easy after watching last nights game to initially point fingers towards the bullpen, however I think the play that stands out the most in my mind is a play that happened in the top of the fifth inning. When Mike Lowell made that beautiful cut-off play from Ellsbury's throw from left and gunned it home to Varitek I thought that Jason was a little sluggish upon trying to apply the tag. First of all, Lowell's cutoff was text book and his throw to Varitek was a perfect laser, great play. Varitek had himself positioned fairly well however he seemed to be just slightly concerned about receiving some contact and his reaction time seemed really slow to me.

I really do think the runner was safe on the play, and that's what you get when you apply a tag high, and when you're applying a tag high that usually either means the throw was late, or the catcher was late in applying, and from looking at replay's I'd say Tek was late here.

Yeah he made up for it with his home run in the bottom half, and yeah hindsight is so easy to look back on, but when this play happened I just got a bad feeling about the game. Tek tags a little quicker and Schilling escapes that inning with no runs given up (he ended up giving a total of 3 in the 5th), the Red Sox get a lot of momentum from it, and Schilling throws a lot less pitches.

The only other comment I really have on this game is that I'm no longer confident when Manny Delcarmen pitches. I was talking to my Dad on the phone about it last night and he seemed to share the same sentiment. The guy does have a 2.60 ERA so maybe I should relax a bit, there was just something about this game that made me feel uneasy.

Either way, we have to lose sometime, and nitpicking may not always be a very good solution, I just thought we had the game won, and was a little disappointed to see us blow it in the late innings.