Tuesday’s Half Marathon Around The AL

Manny Ramirez earned his 15th AL Player of the week honor after hitting .393 with four doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs.

Maybe A-Rod will hit #500 against the White Sox tonight. Maybe not.

Did you know Erik Bedard is French Canadian?

Speaking of Canadians, some may be broken-hearted after last night’s 11th inning loss to the Devil Rays.

Speaking of the D’Rays, check out Carl Crawford’s walkoff.

What is wrong with A’s manager Bob Geren? I mean, besides the obvious.

Papier-mâché hurler Chris Reitsma will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow this week, marking the fifth time that joint has been under the knife.

Kenny Rogers has a revelation: “My timing can’t be worse.”

The Twins dealt speedy second baseman Luis Castillo to the Mets for 2 guys who probably won’t play until 2010.

Some sad news out of Cleveland was possibly buffered by a trip to the Jake.

And the people keep filing into U.S. Cellular.

The Royals get hot for like, four games and then they’re the Royals again.

The Halos have been fairly quiet up to today’s trade deadline.

The Rangers finally traded Mark Teixeira (along with Ron Mahay) to the Braves for Jarrod Saltalamacchia, a couple minor leaguers and of course, a player to be named later.

Red Sox vs Orioles Pitching Matchups

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Tuesday July 31st, 7:05 PM

Erik Bedard, LHP (10-4, 3.05) vs Josh Beckett, RHP (13-4, 3.27)

Wednesday August 1st, 7:05 PM

Steve Trachsel, RHP (5-7, 5.26) vs Kason Gabbard, LHP (4-0, 3.73) Julian Tavarez, RHP (6-8, 5.08)

Thursday August 2nd, 1:05 PM

Jeremy Guthrie, RHP (7-3, 2.89) vs Tim Wakefield, RHP (12-9, 4.59)

Patriots News From Camp

 

The Associated Press is reporting that Patriots defensive back Chad Scott will miss the entire season due to a knee injury he suffered on the first day of practice. Scott has placed on the injured reserve list.

Meanwhile holdout cornerback Asante Samuel was no where to found. Samuel was upset when given the franchise tag by the Patriots for 2007. Since the league deadline for multi-year deals has passed the only deal Asante can sign is the 1 year $7.75 million deal based on the franchise tag. He said he would not end his holdout until Week Ten of the season. A NFL player needs to be on the roster for six games to accrue a year of service.

First round draft pick Brandon Meriweather is in camp after signing his 5-year deal that included a $6 million signing bonus. Reports are is that he is learning fast under the tutelage of Rodney Harrison.

US Weekly is reporting that Bridget Moynihan is about to drop Baby Brady anytime now. They are reporting that Tom would like to be there and his girlfriend super model Gisele Bundchen isn’t thrilled about that. According to a friend of Tom’s she doesn’t like that Bridget is calling so much. Ahhh the baby mamma drama begins.

RB Lawrence Maroney is participating more in training camp than he did in mini camp. Supposedly his surgically repaired right shoulder is doing much better. Even though he is limited in practice right now to a red non-contact jersey there are no red flags for Maroney, who as a rookie carried the ball 175 times for 745 yards in 14 games.

KG Reportedly A Celtic

Several news outlets are reporting that there is a trade in place that would send Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star forward Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics in a multi-player trade.

Garnett who just last month told the Celtics he wasn’t interested in playing in Boston has apparently changed his mind after the Celtics acquired All-Star Ray Allen in a draft day trade with Seattle.

Garnett, a 10-time NBA All-Star, would come to Boston in exchange for Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliffe and two first round picks.

The deal cannot be complete until issued with KG’s contract can be worked out. Among the issues are the player option worth $24 million for the 2008-09 season as well as a 15 percent trade kicker which must be paid in real cash at the time of the deal. According to league sources Garnett must agree to waive a portion of the reported $6.75 million of the of trade kicker. Meanwhile, Garnett is on a cruise until the end of the week and that is slowing down trade/approval
process.

For coming to Boston it is reported Garnett would get a contract extension which has one year plus the player option remaining.

Red Sox News and Notes – 7/30

Well, Mark Teixeira is off the market. Everyone take a deep breath. He was dealt to the Rangers today along with throw-in LHP Ron Mahay for C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, SS Elvis Andrus, RHP Nestali Feliz and LHP Matt Harrison. So what does this mean for the Red Sox? Talks continue between the White Sox regarding OF Jermaine Dye, but the price, as of now, remains too high. Supposedly, the White Sox have asked for Wily Mo Pena and either Manny Delcarmen or Justin Masterson.

Dye would be a great bat to have, but what happens to J.D. Drew? Have Theo and Co. forgotten that they signed this guy to a 5-year $70M contract in the offseason? Who plays right field? He’ll be a “half-season rental” for two months points out Nick Cafardo.

Other Red Sox News:

  • The Red Sox have the majors best bullpen, but may still try and upgrade before the deadline. [Boston Globe]
  • Doug Mirabelli finally got a chance to catch Dice-K yesterday. [Boston Globe]
  • There is a chance reliever Brendan Donnelly could be shut-down for a while. [Boston Herald]
  • Manny Ramirez was named AL Player of the Week. [MLB]

The Red Sox are off tonight and will return tomorrow night against the Orioles at home.

Monday Jog Around the AL & NL East

Baltimore legend Cal Ripken, Jr. sends a message with his HoF induction speech as the Yankees snap the O’s 6-game win streak.

A-Rod’s bat is MIA – maybe he can use his day off to find it.

Mike Timlin’s right shoulder is still feeling achy as he hopes to return to Boston’s bullpen on Tuesday.

A.J. Burnett can’t wait to return to the Blue Jays rotation, claiming he’ll throw 100% during his first rehab start this Wednesday.

After trading Ty Wiggington to Houston for Dan Wheeler, Tampa Bay recalled utility infielder Ben Zobrist to play primarily at short.

Carlos Beltran may be headed to the DL after an MRI Sunday on his strained left oblique revealed fluid and a minor abdominal tear.

Rumor has it, the Braves still have their radar on Rangers’ first baseman Mark Teixeira, possibly for Atlanta’ top pitching prospect, Matt Harrison.

Jimmy Rollins continues to swing a hot bat for Philly in the absence of his partner in crime, Chase Utley.

Washington hurlers can’t expect a victory when they allow 5 runs on 10 hits in just 4 innings. It doesn’t tend to help when your starter throws 83 pitches in three, either.

Jeremy Hermida visited the School of Bonds this weekend.

Sox Drop Trip Finale In Tampa, 5-2

 

After a six inning pitchers duel between Daisuke Matsuzaka and Scott Kazmir left the score 0-0 the guys with bats decided to start talking in the seventh inning. With Kazmir having been removed after six innings, Matsuzaka soldiered on into the seventh with his pitch count at 100.

With one out Dionner Navarro would break the scoreless tie with a solo homerun, Josh Wilson followed with a single to chase Matsuzaka for Manny Delcarmen. Delcarmen would get an out on a fielders choice and then give up a single to Brendan Harris and BJ Upton would make him pay by hitting a three run homerun into the leftfield seats to make it 4-0 Rays. Boston native Carlos Pena would follow with a solo shot, his 25th, and the Rays had jumped on the Boston bullpen and grabbed a late 5-0 lead.

The Sox would scrap back with a pair of runs in the eighth on back-to-back solo homeruns by Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis to cut the score to the final deficit of 5-2.

Matsuzaka took the loss he drops to 12-8 and Gary Glover got the win for Tampa improving to 4-3 on the year. The Sox went 5-2 on the seven game trip and after an off day on Monday they return to action at Fenway Park on Tuesday night against the Baltimore Orioles.

The announced starters for the short three game homestand with the O’s are:

Tuesday 7:05pm
Baltimore Eric Bedard (10-4; 3.05 ERA) at Boston Josh Beckett (13-4; 3.27 ERA)

Wednesday 7:05pm
Baltimore Steve Trachsel (5-7; 5.26 ERA) at Boston Kason Gabbard (4-0; 3.73 ERA)

Thursday 1:05pm
Baltimore Jeremy Guthrie (7-3; 2.89 ERA) at Boston Tim Wakefield
(12-9; 4.59 ERA)

Red Sox News & Notes – 7/29

I have some time here so I figured I’d check in and see what’s going on. Last night’s game got over wicked late on the East Coast and the end result was a 12-6 Sox win. Jonathan Papelbon had one of those rare nights where he blows a save but the troops rallied behind him to get the win. Lester pitched well again and now the Red Sox will have some interesting decisions to make as to who goes when Curt Schilling gets back from his rehab starts. I think it will be Gabbard but you never know what Theo and crew will do. It will be interesting nonetheless. With that being said, let’s take a look at the headlines from the Boston and Tampa area papers on this Sunday morning.

Sox walk away unscathed. [Boston Globe]

Rays’ Losing Streak Reaches Eight. [Tampa Tribune]

Sox skate by in 12th after Pap blows save. [Boston Herald]

Bullpen implodes in 12th. [St. Petersburg Times]

Boston retakes win in 12th. [Pro Jo]

Recovery Room. [Hartford Courant]

Wiggy Out, Wheeler Back For Rays. [Tampa Tribune]

No other way for Drew, just more hard work. [Boston Globe]

Rays deal Wigginton, Cantu for more pitching. [St. Petersburg Times]

Similar scenario, but a far different closer. [Boston Herald]

Ripken Taught Schilling A Thing Or Two. [Hartford Courant]

Ex-Pilgrim standout Wheeler fortifies Devil Rays’ bullpen. [Pro Jo]

Clement Aims To Pitch In September. [Hartford Courant]

For more headlines and stories, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Hartford Courant, Providence Journal, Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times websites.

Arrivederci

I just wanted to let everyone know I will be taking a break from SOX & Dawgs for the week while going on a three state bender. Actually just going to be spending some time with the familia. But don’t you worry, I have assembled the finest team in sports blogging that money can’t buy, only friendship can. Steve will still be checking in as usual and Jason from My Baseball Bias and Sooze from Babes Love Baseball will do their best to bring you the news that you come here for. Let’s just hope Jason doesn’t change this to a Yankees blog (just kidding).

Believe me when I say this. Like Allstate, you are in good hands.