SawxBlog

Rivalry Renewed?

_{Francisco Cervelli did everything he could to get under the Sox skin. (AP Photo)}

Three Things:

1. Francisco Cervelli is a Punk - Clapping his hands like he did crossing the plate is asking for trouble. This was this hack's third HR of his career for Christ Sake - you have to earn the right to do things like that and to not expect repercussions is idiotic and shortsighted. Him getting hit the next time up should have been a forgone conclusion, and he should have taken it like a man. But whatever, he's just an annoying gnat who had his one moment in the sun. Ladies and gentleman, we now have ourselves Karim Garcia 2.0
2. These Games Are Awesome - I know they're supposed to be just another game but they're not. The fans know it. The media knows it. And more importantly, the players know it. While I do think Cervelli is a 'Grade A' punk for what he pulled, I'm thankful that he poured some gasoline on the rivalries fire. It was already stoked when CC hit Jacoby on purpose, and this just further ignited it. This is all very good though, and it's nice to see the clock turned back to '03 and '04 when the Teams genuinely didn't like each other. As a result, I think I'm again ready for these two Teams to meet in the ALCS, God help us all.
3. John Lackey is the Secret - Since the Red Sox played in Texas John Lackey seems like a different player. Sure he was starting to turn it around before that, but his attitude seems to have really changed. The emotions on the mound are never going to go away, and I think I'm starting to understand that it's not directed at players, it's just his frustration bubbling over. The players all have steadfastly stood behind him all year too, so there must be something there. He'd still be the worst person to play a round of golf with, but he's starting to win me over. Pigs do fly I guess. I had a vision last night of him having his J.D. Drew Grand Slam moment. Maybe it will come in Game 7 of the ALCS, or possibly Game 3 of the ALDS - but mark my words, the 2011 Boston Red Sox do not win the World Series without John Lackey. Seriously, God help us all....

New Era Commercial - 912

Some good viewing before tonight's Red Sox vs. Yankee game.

Beckett Bowl 2011 Show's Us the Real Hero's

_{Josh Beckett and his wife pose with some damn brave kids at Beckett Bowl 2011. (Photo - D.Hixon)}

Click Here for more Pictures from Beckett Bowl 2011

I'm standing in Kenmore Station, slightly buzzed, awed, and thoroughly thankful - reflecting hard on the night so I don't lose the image of the surreal. This wasn't the first time the curtains have been pulled back for me, I've been allowed to see Oz play in the past, however - tonight seemed different. I felt forever the impostor, and consistently awaited the moment when a firm hand would grip my shoulder and exclaim, "Excuse me Sir..." It's not every night that I'm rubbing shoulders and hanging out with Red Sox players. It's a feeling that rides a lot of parallels with buying a scalped ticket, until you get through the gates - you're not sure if you'll get in, and even then - you wonder if your fraud will be found out.

There was no fraud on this balmy Monday night though - just good fortune, hard work, and an eventual dividend - all for a great cause. What makes the Josh Beckett Bowl so special is that it takes place in the throes of the baseball season. It's not on some exclusive Country Club or in a far away exotic locale. The event's quite literally in the shadows of Fenway Park, in the middle of a Pennant Race, while so much is still at stake. Yet the Red Sox players and other Boston level celebrities take the time to have some fun, show their face, and raise money for kids in situations reserved only for bad dreams.

_{Josh Beckett helps a child from the hospital out, and then he nearly throws a strike (as you can tell by my screaming). For the next few minutes it was all Josh could talk about - he was so proud of the kid, very cool moment. (SawxBlog VIdeo -D.Hixon)}

This is a foul that my fandom diverted me from briefly as I drank beer and gawked in awe at the privilege flanked all around me. Event's such as the Beckett Bowl are brilliant in design. The well known and wealthy get to enjoy an everyday man's game as they bask in their fame and luck - but as they do, the attention and money is given to a cause you'd have to be psychotic to deny - and seeing those children on the red carpet - beaming brave and smiling large, weakened my heart with prideful joy, as I now gaped in awe at them and the power of the human spirit. These strong kids make being embarrassed around professional athletes seem asinine, as they assist in helping you realize that life is not guaranteed, nor is your health - and while it all may be fleeting - these fearless children show you nothing should be forsaken.

The kids at Boston Children's Hospital are the ones who we should be looking up to, they have centuries more wisdom and strength than any of us - rich, poor, famous, or normal. Real hero's fight with arduous optimism and smiles on their faces, and tonight, as I approach Central Square on the subway, I smile as well - with hope in my heart.

If you couldn't attent this year, I highly suggest to next year - I couldn't think of a better cause or better time.

• http://www.beckettbowl.com/
• http://www.joshbeckettfoundation.org/
• http://www.childrenshospital.org/

Weathering the Storm - Hope on the Horizon

_{Jumping for Joy - The Red Sox have a lot to thankful about heading into September. (AP Photo)}

With only two games remaining in August the Boston Red Sox have a lot to be happy about. August was the most difficult month on the Red Sox 2011 schedule, as it saw them playing a grueling 29 games in 31 days. The middle of the month was the real grind for the Sox, as they had to play 14 out of 17 games on the road. They walked away from this stretch with a 10-7 record, a very respectable showing considering everything they endured through the month. During this period they lost some key contributors from the lineup - including David Ortiz, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Kevin Youklilis - but despite it all, they wake up this morning to a sun swept Boston, where 24 hours earlier Tropical Storm Irene shut the city down with high winds and driving rain. But they weathered the storm, and are now in first place by two games while getting much needed rest before hosting their perennial rivals from NYC tomorrow. There's still a long way to go, no way around that, but today they can enjoy their sunny day off while sitting on top of the AL East - with nothing but clear skies and hope on the horizon.

Andrew the Giant Pitches His Case

_{Andrew Miller was all smiles with his performance last night. (AP Photo)}

On a night when the Red Sox smashed four home runs, two by the freak people call Adrian Gonzalez, all I can go back to is the stellar performance turned in by Andrew "The Giant" Miller. The 6-7 left hander held the Texas Rangers, who are the third highest scoring Team in the Major Leagues (662) - to zero runs over 6.1 IP while K'ing six and walking only two. When Miller pitched well against the Royals it was prefaced by the fact that it was...well, the Royals. People forget though, while the Royals record is bad, that's mostly due to their horrendous pitching. They have a great young Team, and are actually in 5th place in the American League in batting average. That Royals game was also the first game Miller started since he pitched against the White Sox on July 31st - a game in which he struck out eight over 5.2 innings. John Lackey dreams of results like that.

Last night's performance coupled together with his previous two must have the Red Sox Front Office ecstatic, for suddenly their appears to be a new horse entered in the race for the contested third starter come playoff time. Lackey's supposed to be that guy, and he's sure being paid like it. John has been pitching better, but to say he's been pitching good would be a stretch. What I do love about Lackey lately (Jesus does that read like an oxymoron) is his attitude. The trip to Texas, where he's been surrounded by family and friends, seems to have put him in a better state of mind, which is great for the Sox, but still - do you trust him yet?

The Red Sox traded for Erik Bedard as insurance for Lackey, because frankly, the Red Sox don't trust him either, and for good reason. Bedard's pitched very admirably, and while a lesser man would look at Lackey's recent wins (ahem, Tony Mazz), Bedard's been a victim of what I call the Josh Beckett Disease, and has had atrocious run support (3, 4, 2, and 0 runs in his four starts). Before last night I was giving the edge to Bedard by a decent margin, especially now that he's not on a pitch count - but with what Miller's done recently I don't know anymore. People love to point towards Lackey's playoff experience as a check in his favor, however, what's overlooked is that his shining moment in the playoffs came in his rookie season. Meanwhile, people have been waiting for Miller to burst on the scene for years, and the as the 26 year old enters his prime, the time may be now. Regardless, as the Red Sox make the turn, there's no denying three horses are making a push for number three, and the competition should be nothing but good for the Team, and damn fun to watch for the fans.

Down the stretch they come.

Kevin Youkilis, Biz Markie, and Herb Chambers Walk Into A Room...

...and it's kinda awkward.

The Band's Back Together

_{Seeing Jacoby and Papi back in the lineup was a beautiful sight. (AP Photo)}

Three Things:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury - I can't say enough about the player he's become. As I stated yesterday, and this is no disrespect to Adrian Gonzalez and the wonderful season he's having, but Jacoby should be getting all Red Sox related MVP votes this year. His resurgence from 2010 is only matched by Josh Beckett, and his affect on the game is whole and complete, there's literally no hole's - save for maybe a lack of plate discipline, but when he's hitting, who cares. His number's after last night read like this: .315 AVG, .893 OPS, 93 R, 23 HR, 81 RBI, 35 SB - He's legitimately entering Ricky Henderson land, a place not often visited by anyone.
2. Carl Crawford - It was only one game, but the glimmer has already blinded me. If Crawford finds his confidence and starts playing to his true ability the Sox are nearly unstoppable. We could have El Guapo be our Game 3 Starter and still win. With Carl and Ellsbury bookending the Sox lineup with guys like Papi, Gonzo, Pedroia, and Youk sandwiched in-between there's constant stress being applied to opposing pitchers. Crawford set a career high with 5 RBI last night, and as a Sox fan you just pray the smelling salts finally hit his nose in Texas - and no, that was not a Ron Washington joke.
3. Big Papi - First pitch Ortiz sees in 10 days he hits for an RBI single. Instant Impact. Much like Jacoby's return the night before, you could tell Papi's presence sent a charge through the rest of the Team. He appears healthy, rested, and ready to mash - just in time for my fantasy playoffs :)

Red Sox Show Some Guts in Texas

_{Tito greets Ryan Lavarnway after scoring in the 8th last night. (AP Photo)}

The Red Sox showed me a lot of fire last night in Arlington as they rolled over the Rangers, winning a rare game in Texas 11-5. Tension's were rising in Red Sox Nation due recent injuries and play, but last night helped quell a lot of the anxiety that was floating about, and we have both of our MVP Candidates to thank for that. Jacoby Ellsbury made his presence felt immediately and often. As I tweeted last night, he had a hit, walk, run scored, and a stolen base in only 1.1 innings of play. More importantly though, he set the tone for the game, as was evident by him running on the first pitch after his lead off single. This also erased any doubts we may have had about a lingering injury, as he was obviously back to 100%.

With Ellsbury standing on second base third (thanks Josh!), Adrian Gonzalez snapped his home run draught, mashing a ball to right field for the first of two long balls on the night. And aside from the usual John Lackey heart attack inning, the game felt in the Sox control from the get-go, and seemed like a statement game more than anything. The Sox have been extra cautious with their injuries for a reason, and that's because they want to be as healthy as possible come playoff time, and for all our trepidation about Texas and Verlander, nobody wants to play a healthy Sox squad in the playoffs - and that's a fact.

The other story as of late that I've loved watching is seeing Ryan Lavarnway get his first crack in the Big Leagues. Of all our prospects he's the one I've been keeping the closest eye on, and even dedicated a post on him back in early March. He very well could be our future starting catcher, and he's made the most out of his time so far with the Sox. In only six games he has 3 RBI and 4 BB with a .318 batting average. He's K'd a lot, with six total, but that's to be expected with a first time August call-up. I knew this kid was going to make an impact, I just didn't expect it to be in 2011. Should be interesting once playoff rosters are set, and I wonder if he'll be included to help pinch hit and possibly serve as a third emergency catcher. Stage may be too big for him this early, but that's what we thought with Jacoby in 2007.

Texas Fold 'Em

_{Mike Napoli celebrates with teammates after his three run homer. (AP Photo)}

Are we now able to admit that it does matter who finishes in first in the AL East? The Opening Round of the Playoffs is a short five game affair that affords the random luck of baseball greater luxury to spread its wings, not that Texas needs any luck against the Red Sox. The thought of playing the Rangers in the Opening Round is absolutely terrifying, where three of the five games would be played deep in the heart of Texas.

Granted, playing five games against Detroit isn't too appealing either, where you'd be guaranteed to face Justin Verlander at least twice, but I'd take my chances with the Tigers any day of the week, as the Rangers just seem to have the Red Sox number. As the above statistics show, the Rangers have bludgeoned Red Sox pitching thus far in 2011 - while the Sox usually potent offense is hitting well below the Mendoza Line, scoring less than half the runs the Rangers have.

I understand that the Red Sox are dealing with injuries, but they have to sack it up and accept the challenge. There's $180 million reasons why they shouldn't fold like origami, and honestly - there's not a Team in the league who isn't dealing with injuries, the Sox should have the depth to absorb the loss of a few players for a week. Granted, the three players they're missing were All-Stars this year, but I don't care - this is the perfect time for Carl Crawford to finally earn the money he's making, and make an impact that lasts longer than a series. As much as J.D. Drew's been the favorite whipping boy* of Sox fans, he's stepped up multiple times when the Sox needed him to, and now I'm calling out Carl to do the same, because the patience the fans have granted him so far, is about as thin as Pedroia's hair line.

*John Lackey has stolen this Title from Drew by about a million 

Has Big Papi's Injury "Played" him into a Contract?

_{Big Papi and his protective boot watch as the Red Sox offense flounders.}

The old quote of not missing what you have until it's gone can firmly be applied to how it feels when David Ortiz is missing from the Red Sox lineup. Since being pulled from the lineup last Tuesday before a double header against the Rays, there's no denying that the Red Sox lineup has lacked the swagger and pop it had prior. Youk, and recently Jacoby Ellsbury, have been missing from the lineup as well, but for whatever the reason, Papi's absence seems to be leaving the largest hole.

The past seven games without Papi in the lineup the Sox have averaged 3.7 runs per game. They averaged 4.3 the seven games before Papi was in a boot, and have not looked like the same Team since. In a year where the Sox may have three legit MVP Candidates (Ellsbury, Gonzalez, and Pedroia) it's easy to forget how important Ortiz is to this Team, both in the clubhouse and in the batters box. He's having a phenomenal season due in large part to Gonzo helping protect him, he's hitting to left more, and is showing that he's still a massively productive player.

What this all boils down to is this: by being injured for only a week, has Papi played into a new contract with the Red Sox? I sure as hell hope so. The powerful and productive DH seems to be a dying breed, and as Ortiz has proved, he's far from done. On top of his production, the leadership he brings to the clubhouse is second to none - along with how much he means to the franchises history it seems like a no brainer. Time will tell, and nothing will be answered until there's snow on the ground, but if these seven games have shown anything, it showed that life sans Papi is not a fun one, and I'm in the camp of trying to bring him back for 2-3 more years. Sure that last year may not be worth it, but the other two should be, and keeping him in Boston seems as important as Jeter staying in NY, he means too much to the city, fans, and Team.