SawxBlog

Jason Giambi Ends Red Sox Sweep Dreams

I can't wait for Jason Giambi and his ugly mustache to be watching the playoffs on TV... (AP Photo)

If the Red Sox were able to pull off yesterdays win (which they should have) the death toll would be singing loud and clear for the Yankees and their postseason hopes. Instead the Sox lost and also fell another game (4.5 now) behind the Devil Rays. The Yankees season, for all intents and purposes, is over now as they only have a 3.0% chance of making the playoffs. It's weird too, this year they never really seemed in it as the Red Sox have found themselves in the most unpredictable of two man races.

I do have to give it up to the Devil Rays though, they've way surpassed every expectation I had of them this year and trust me, I'm done predicting their demise. I think the AL East is theirs, there's just too many games to make up in too short a period of time. I'm fine with the Wild Card though, and would take an ALCS played against the Rays any day of the week. An ALDS against the Angels used to be fine, but this year...not so much. I'm getting way ahead of myself though.

As far as yesterdays loss goes I'd have to point my finger towards Tito on this one. Yeah Oki blew the game (and another brilliant performance by Lester) but that just made it a 0-0 game. Why Masterson was out there in 9th is beyond me. Everybody was fawning all over the kid after he enticed A-Rod into that double play a few nights ago, however what is forgotten is that he couldn't get one out for the team the next inning. My point: The way A-Rod was going that night fate was against him, it was by no means the brilliance or emergance of Justin Masterson. Having him out there after that poor performance in a game that would kill your arch rival in your final game in Yankees Stadium just doesn't seem smart to me.

I guess my point is there's still plenty of games to have him grow and learn to pitch under pressure, I just don't think yesterday afternoon was one of those games. Papelbon was in there with the basesloaded and one out, not nessessarily an enviable position, and the second time in two days Justin put him in that spot.

Either way, see you later Yankees, see you later Yankee Stadium. All focus can now officially be off of them and on the Wild Card. The AL East is an outside shot, but I think maybe a little too far outside.

Dustin Time, Pedroia's Grand Slam Buries Yankees

Pedroia the Destroya truly earned that name last night. (AP Photo)

Wow. After watching these last two games you would assume that it's the Red Sox who were fighting to stay alive and not the Yankees. I mean I haven't been that happy to see a grand slam since Demon's in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS. Last nights 11-3 smashing of the Yankees now has the Red Sox up 18 to 6 in the runs scored department so far in this series. And again, it can't be understated that we're doing this without two of our top offensive performers (Lowell & Drew).

The fact that two guys named Bay and Byrd were a huge part in this win just goes to show you how random a baseball season can be, and how well the Sox have done in acquiring the proper talent. Jay Bay had another multiple hit game against the Yankees and had 4 RBI to boot. Byrd on the other hand pitched a really solid game for the Sox going 6.0 innings deep and only allowing 2 ER. Byrd has showed me a lot of guts out there. He may not be able to blow people away with his stuff, but the cat's a wily veteran who knows how to pitch, and it's actually really fun to watch. There's something to be said about bravery on the mound.

I think no matter what happens tonight the Yankees season D-E-A-D. A sweep would be a great way to end it for the Sox, but it's not necessary. I expect the Yankees to play like a cornered and injured animal tonight...but I've also been expecting them to do that all series long. The Red Sox look like a team that's not going to let the Wild Card slip from anyone right now, and as awesome as the Rays have been playing, they HAVE to be looking over their shoulder now.

Down the stretch they come...

Red Sox Aquire Mark Kotsay (and hot wife) in trade with Braves

This is just another example of why I love the internet. Upon reading on ESPN.com that the deal for Mark Kotsay was finalized I decided to make a quick post on it. While looking for an image of Kotsay via Google Images I found an equal number, if not more, of his wife. That's gotta be just a little flattering and embarrassing all at once for the outfielder. Either way both Coco Crisp and Heidi Watney should be looking over their shoulders. I can read the headlines on the back page of the Boston Herald now, "Mark of a Champion", followed by a picture of his wife in somethign skimpy.

But in all seriousness, this is a great move by the Sox who get a guy who may not be roping the ball out of the park, but is a solid hitter who is going to get on base. He's originally from the school of Billy Beane so he'll fit in just fine with the crew down the streth run.

Click Here to see the Google Image fun

Red Sox Beat Yankees 7-3 in Bronx

Dustin Pedroia turns a double play started by A-Fraud. (AP Photo)

Last night was a very good night for the Red Sox as they pulled a trifecta by beating the Yankees 7-3, gaining a game on the Devil Rays (now 3.5 games), and increasing their Wild Card lead over the Twins to 2.5. This is all coming with three of our eight everyday starters (Lugo, Lowell, & Drew) on the DL which just goes to show you the depth of this ballclub. It does make you wonder how long the Sox can sustain this way (because of Lowell and Drew...sorry Julio), but every club has its injuries and you just have to forge on ahead.

I'd say as far as this Yankee series goes game one was the most important for both teams and the Red Sox were simply just the better team last night. I really think the Sox only truly needed 1/3 but now 2/3 seems very reasonable, and that would basically squash out the Yankees playoff hopes, which is a beautiful thing.

Seeing and hearing A-Rod get booed last night is great. I love how he takes the brunt of it from the NY fans no matter how much the other players (cough, cough, Jeter) aren't performing. It makes for when they do cheer for him and ask him for bogus curtain calls that much more phony and transparent. Booing shouldn't be such an easy switch to turn on and off for the best player on your team, it hasn't "helped" him to this point, so why continue? I mean think of all the years you have to boo him in your new stadium? The Sox fans had maybe even a more turbulent relationship with Manny, and I really don't remember ever hearing him booed like that in Fenway. I'm just saying...

OK, getting side tracked now, let's go Byrd, let's go Sox. A win tonight would be most appreciated.

Guard Your Grill, Knuckle-Up

Tim Wakefield and the Boston Red Sox have the opportunity to end any hopes of the New York Yankees reaching the playoffs starting tonight. A sweep by the Sox would end any doubt, 2 out of 3 would pretty much kill all hope, and even 1 out of 3 wouldn't really be enough for the Yanks as it'd only be one game gained. My hope is for two out of three for the Sox, although it'll be tough going up against both Moose and Andy (with no Dice-K or Beckett).

This is most likely be the last time the Red Sox will ever play in the real Yankee Stadium, and it's been a fairly good place for the Sox since 2003. We completed the greatest comeback in sports history in 2004, and as recent as this years All-Star game the Sox stole just a smidgen of fun away from the pinstripes.

As a fan I don't fear Yankee Stadium at all anymore (yes I most certainly used to), well.....except for the awful music they play there (along with that horrific organ), and it's most definitely sad to see it go. You have to give your props to the history of the place where a lot of great baseball moments have occurred. But I like that it's leaving us, it's just another thing that's going to distance the Yanks from there distant glory years, and I find nothing wrong with that at all.

Either way, these games should be pretty darn interesting and fun* to watch, they always are.

*fun = stressful apparently :-)

Paul Byrd to Make Fenway Park Debut Tonight

Paul Byrd to make his Fenway Park debut tonight. (SawxBlog Illustration)

The weather is looking good outside my window as I type this and apparently there's only supposed to be a few scattered showers today. It's going to be interesting to see what Paul Byrd does with the Red Sox and hopefully the Fenway Faithful can help spur him on in his debut. He's draw a tough card getting Roy Halladay, but the Red Sox bats that are hot as they've ever been should be able to hold their own.

We'll be at the game tonight in the lower center field bleachers so hopefully you'll be seeing us snag a Youk HR :-) More to come tomorrow, Let's Go Byrd!!!

Please Help Fight Cancer and Support the Jimmy Fund

Click Here to Make a Donation
Click Here for Jimmy Fund Schedule

First off I want to apologize for the lack of posts in what's been an exciting week for the Red Sox. It's been a busy week at my "real job" and the time to post has been sparse at best. I'm back though, however I want to take this post to urge all of you who read this blog to donate to the Jimmy Fund. Cancer, for better or worse, seems to be all around us, and it's something that effects everyone. The things the Jimmy Fund does to help support patients and families is incredible, and it's one of the true great organizations the Red Sox are associated with.

On the 19th, this coming Tuesday, it will mark the One-Year Anniversary of my Mother's passing due to cancer, and it's still a difficult situation for me to cope with. The people in which I met through the entire process, from hospitals to hospice care was absolutely amazing, and in the darkest of times for my family, I saw the raw kindness of the human spirit demonstrated by complete strangers on a day by day basis. It truly was amazing, and amazing is what the Jimmy Fund hopes to accomplish for families. They provide treatment, hope, solace for families from all over the country and world.

Again, I do urge you to donate what you can afford, for every dollar is a bullet in the battle against this awful disease. Thanks so much for hearing me out, and back to our regular Red Sox coverage tomorrow.

• Click Here to read the post on my Mom's passing last year

Red Sox place waiver claim on Brian Giles

Will Brian Giles be looking at Red Sox in the near future> (SawxBlog Illustration)

It looks like the Red Sox are making a safety move by putting a waiver claim in on Brian Giles. With the recent health uncertainties of both David Ortiz and Iron Mike Lowell getting Giles on the squad could be a huge pick-up for the Sox, if he agrees to come that is. According to ESPN.com, "Giles has a limited no-trade clause, and Boston is among the teams to which he cannot be traded without his permission."

Having another solid at-bat in the line-up (.297 avg / .390 obp) could allow the Sox to rest certain players down the stretch run without losing much in the process. That and you can never have too many veteran bats on your bench when you're in a pennant race (see - Sean Casey) and in the playoffs. With baseball there's no such thing as too much insurance.

It is interesting that our first waiver move is an offensive one with the question marks still surrounding our bullpen, however I'm a pretty big fan of this move if it pans out. Worst case scenario is we CB'd both Tampa Bay and the Angels who would have been interested in Giles as well.

Youth Group: Jacoby Ellsbury and Jed Lowrie Lead Way for Sox

Lowrie and Ellsbury both tore it up last night in another lopsided Sox win. (SawxBlog Illustration)

The Red Sox continued their winning ways last night with an 8-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals to improve their record to 5-1 in this post-Manny world that we live in. Leading the charge for the Sox were Jacoby Ellsbury and Jed Lowrie who are both the present and future of the organization. Combined this new dynamic duo went 5/8 driving in 5 RBI while scoring 3 runs. I think it's fairly safe to come to two conclusions now:

1. Julio Lugo has lost his job - I'll admit, I really thought that Lugo was going to thrive in Boston but something has just seemed to be missing (a bat maybe?) during his reign here. Granted, we did win the World Series with him as our starting SS, however something just feels amiss with him. Maybe he has a case of the Renteria's, or it could be that world famous "Curse of the Orlando Cabrera", who knows. What I do know is that Jed Lowrie is turning into a bonafide stud. This kid seems to thrive in pressure and always seems to come through when you want him to. Also his defense is about 473% better then Lugo's. Ponder this; both Lugo and Lowrie have 22 RBI on the season. The big difference here is that Lugo's played in 82 games and Lowrie has played in 35. Seems like the case is closed to me. Sigh, another SS who's contract we're most likely going to end up eating.
2. Jacoby Ellsbury is out of his slump - Yeah, yeah I know, could be a little too early to make this call this, but the kid seems to be getting that locked in look, and he's really driving the ball. What really convinced me, aside from stringing some good games together, was the fact that he was able to take a left handed pitcher deep to CF. That's showing me he's seeing the ball really well which is great news. When Jacoby gets on base the Red Sox are a better team, it's really that simple. He's such a catalyst to the offense and if he can be productive in the #1 slot in the lineup again we could be seeing a lot of crooked numbers up on the score board.

Oh yeah, Jason Bay is still a stud too. 2/5 last night with 2 runs scored, give Love the way the Sox are playing right now, it's almost a shame they have an off day today, although I'm sure there's no complaining coming from Youk. Windy City here we come.

Oh Bay Can you See! Jay Bay Gets 4 Hits in Red Sox Win

Jason Bay is making a lot of people sing within the Nation. (SawxBlog Illustration)

First off, good call on Kris's part in the comments yesterday. Josh Beckett came up huge for the Sox on a night where they kept pace with the Rays and gained some valuable momentum back in the pennant race. And how about that Jason Bay? Homeboy is roping the ball (even amid Royal fan Manny chants) and he's certainly lit a fire in the clubhouse. Look no further then Jason Varitek or Jacoby Ellsbury to see that. Both players are showing signs of coming out of their hibernation's and it couldn't happen at a better time for the Sox.

I can't post much now, but damn, Jay Bay has to be making you a believer by now. He's hitting .429 since joining the Red Sox and we're 4-1 since his arrival. One game at a time though I know, however last nights was a good one, and I'm hopin' the train keeps a rolling tonight.

In Jay Bay we Trust.