Well depending on how you want to look at things, the Boston Red Sox did their job this weekend by laying down like a good little puppy and playing dead. By that I mean, the Baltimore Orioles swept them.
Despite a plane scare on their way to Tampa for a crucial matchup with the Rays, the Orioles are back in the playoffs for the first time since 1997 with the Angels losing. They are guaranteed at least one of the AL Wild Card spots.
And now they need the Red Sox to stop being that good little puppy and come back to life against the New York Yankees these next three games while taking care of their own business in Tampa.
Look, I never really wanted to root against the Red Sox this weekend but doesn’t our hatred of the Yankees winning the division overule that. I wanted the Red Sox players do good, I really did.
Now I want them to make a statement in the Bronx. Because seriously, how great would it be if the Red Sox can keep their most hated rivals from the winning division. That would just make this miserable season we’ve endured a 100 times better.
Zach Stewart had a chance on Sunday to redeem himself after his poor Red Sox debut when he gave up nine runs in three innings. He actually didn’t last as long as his first start as he went just 2.2 innings. And he only gave up five runs.
Remember folks, Stewart is the only player left we have from the Kevin Youkilis trade. I guess the good thing is Youk hasn’t exactly torn the cover off the ball with the White Sox. But unless Stewart figures things out in the offseason, this trade will be a bust for the Red Sox.
Yes the trade had to be done at the time. I get that. In hindsight, it’s possible they could have waited until the trade deadline.
But the past is the past. It’s time to move forward.
Let’s just hope the moving forward is helping the Orioles out over the next three games. I really want to see Yankees fans sweating it out in a one-game playoff on Friday.
We’ll be back later with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. So for now, let’s take at look at the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
Orioles sweep Sox, wait to clinch playoffs berth [boston herald]
Red Sox manager job: Experience not needed [boston herald]
Red Sox hit 90-loss mark [boston herald]
David Ortiz misses good old days [boston herald]
Daniel Bard’s year real page-turner [boston herald]
Red Sox fall to Orioles for 90th loss, 6-3 [csn new england]
Scouts’ take of top Sox prospects [espn boston]
Rapid Reaction: Orioles, 6, Red Sox 3 [espn boston]
Boston Red Sox must consider options beyond John Farrell [espn boston]
Jerry Remy Serves as Translator for Wally the Green Monster, Can’t Figure Out Favorite Color (Video) [nesn.com]
Zach Stewart’s Rough Outing Results in Red Sox Reaching 90-Loss Plateau [nesn.com]
With Iglesias and Lavarnway struggling, Pedroia recalls first exposure to big-league pitching [projo sox blog]
Twenty-five homers later, Salty still evolving [redsox.com]
Red Sox rookies dress up as cheerleaders [redsox.com]
Sox clinch protected top-10 draft pick [alex speier – weei.com]
A remarkable 45-year Red Sox run comes to an end [alex speier – weei.com]
Making sense of Jacoby Ellsbury’s enigmatic career [alex speier – weei.com]
MINOR LEAGUE LINKS:
Greenville Drive 2012 review: Cecchini rare infield bright spot [goupstate.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
And if you must check out the enemy news, be sure to head over to the Baltimore Sun and MASN websites. Also be sure to check out our Bloguin brother the Oriole Post for all of your Orioles needs.
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
photo credit: MASN Orioles Facebook page
