For the third time this month, Boston Red Sox left fielder Carl Crawford had yet another walkoff hit. He had one on May 1st and the second came on May 9th.
Crawford’s single with the bases loaded in the 9th brought home pinch-runner Darnell McDonald for the winning run and a two-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park on Thursday night.
I read Ian’s post this afternoon on how FOX is sticking it to the Connecticut-based faction of Boston Red Sox fans by selecting the Subway Series for its game of the week. In selecting the game between New York’s Yankees and Mets for its Saturday night primetime match up over the possibly more appealing Chicago Cubs/Red Sox game I too wonder what the hell FOX 61’s (WTIC-TV/Hartford) programming team is thinking. Ian outlined the reasons in his post so I won’t repeat them here, let’s just say I agree wholeheartedly.
To me if I can’t see the Cubs and Red Sox, and I can’t where I live either, I sure as hell have zero interest in yet another game between the Yankees and Mets. I’m pretty sure this is how the majority of America feels when FOX and ESPN bomb them with back-to-back Red Sox/Yankee games.
I’d rather watch the Texas/Philadelphia game, which has Cliff Lee pitching for his new/old team against his old team or the Oakland/San Francisco game. Anything but being force fed this made up rivalry between two teams who share the same city and tabloid back pages. The only person who cared about this game was George Steinbrenner and last I checked, he checked out.
The problem here not only lies with some Fox affiliates picking the wrong game, it also lies with the exclusivity right of the MLB TV contract with FOX. The contract forbids not only two different games to be shown in the same market but there is also no available cable, satellite or MLB.TV feed of the games shown to other parts of the country.
What this means is that FOX 61, who has a “sister station” in the Hartford Market WTXX TV Channel 20, can not have WTXX show one game say Cubs/Red Sox while FOX 61 shows the Yankees/Mets. It also means that even if you wanted to, you can not go to your favorite sports bar Saturday night in Connecticut and request the satellite feed of the Cubs/Red Sox game. Due to the exclusivity clause the satellite and cable providers are not allowed to carry the feeds of those games. Nor can you view the out of market games on your MLB.TV account.
Face it, we all know that baseball broadcasting rules, especially when it comes to primary and secondary markets and blackout rules are antiquated and are in dire need of overhaul. Fact is that until the Commissioner’s Office, the teams and the networks come to the understanding that the current rules are hurting the game more than protecting broadcast rights it won’t happen.
To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
The real culprit in this hullabaloo is interleague play. Started in 1997 as a way to generate more interest in the game it was supposed to be a short lived experiment lasting only a few seasons. The problem is our Baseball Fueher Bud Selig LOVES interleague play more than he loves himself.
For the last 15 seasons we have been force-fed bogus “Made for TV” rivalries like the Yankees and Mets, Braves and Red Sox, Marlins and Rays, Orioles and Nationals, Angels and Dodgers, Whites Sox and Cubs, Rangers and Astros, Royals and Cardinals, and on and on.
Does anyone outside of those cities give a crap about those games? Does anyone in those cities give a crap about those games?
Only Sir Bud does.
By implementing interleague play, Selig also created a situation where there was no longer a balanced schedule. Prior to interleague play each of the MLB teams each played 162 games all against their own league. You played your division teams 13 times and 12 games vs. the other teams in the opposite division. This breakdown was kept even after the leagues went to three divisions in 1994. The balanced schedule didn’t leave us until the advent of interleague play in 1997.
Now with “Bud’s Folly”, the American League schedule has a team play 18 or 19 games vs. the 3 or 4 other teams in their division. And 18 games against the National League with 6 of those (3 home; 3 away) against a “natural rival” each season and then the other 12 games are played against 4 other NL teams by division on a rotating basis. The balance of the scheduled games are then split against the two divisions.
The National League schedule has two more teams so the division games end up with different numbers. NL teams play division rivals anywhere from 15 to 19 times in a season. Then they have their 18 interleague games and the balance against the other two divisions.
The problem with this is come pennant race time because of the mess Selig made not every team has played the same amount of games against the same level of competition. An example is the Tampa Bay Rays have to play the Yankees and Red Sox 18 or 19 times each to try to compete for a wild card slot. While teams in the Central and West, say the Minnesota Twins and the Oakland A’s, competing for the same wild card spot only had to play the Red Sox and Yankees about 6-8 times over the course of the season. By this schedule the Rays have to play a tougher schedule to make the playoffs over teams in the other “softer” divisions.
For some reason Selig and the owners continue to force the worst thing to happen to the MLB pennant races and in some cases TV coverage on the American baseball fan. But like the broadcasting rules governing blackouts and markets I don’t see any corrections being made to this issue either. As long as Selig is in the commissioner’s chair it appears we will continually be subjected to games that do not mean anything in the pennant races or for the majority of fans attending and watching on TV.
Follow Steve on Twitter at @djstevem
Photo credit: Getty Images
Here’s a press release from the Boston Red Sox about Saturday’s game regarding both teams (Red Sox & Chicago Cubs) wearing the uniforms of their 1918 teams. And on a personal note, I’m glad I’ll be there.
BOSTON, MA- The Boston Red Sox today announced they will “turn back the clock” on Saturday, May 21 during the 7:10 p.m. game against the Chicago Cubs to mark 93 years since the clubs’ last matchup at Fenway Park. Both the Red Sox and Cubs will wear uniforms that replicate the style worn in 1918, the last time these two teams faced each other in Boston.
The Red Sox home uniform will be a blank button-up with no lettering and a slight off-white or ivory color. The hat will also have a blank off-white tint, and the socks will be a three-part white/red/white composition. The Red Sox used this uniform and hat combination as their primary home look for most of the 1910s, and did not have any lettering on the front of their uniform for the bulk of that decade and the entire 1920s. The team did not wear the familiar blue cap with a red “B” until the early 1930s.
The Cubs will wear navy blue pinstripes and lettering on a grayish uniform. On the front left-hand side of the uniform, there will be a horizontal outline of a “C” enclosing “UBS” in smaller, navy blue letters. The Cubs will sport a five-part sock with grey, blue, white, blue and grey color sections. The road hat will have a navy blue bill and pinstripes (but no “C” or any other lettering on the cap). The Cubs used this uniform for only one season, as they changed their road uniforms on an almost-yearly basis during the 1910s.
The uniforms were made by Majestic Athletic, the official apparel provider of Major League Baseball, and are made of the same 100% polyester material as the teams’ current uniforms.
Each Red Sox player will sign his replica uniform after the game, and all uniforms will be auctioned to support the Red Sox Foundation. More information will be announced soon.
There are also plans for additional elements of the Saturday pre-game ceremony and game presentation that will be reminiscent of the fans’ experience in 1918.
The Red Sox and Cubs last played at Fenway Park on September 11, 1918, in the sixth and final game of that year’s World Series. Concluding a season that was abbreviated because of the ongoing World War I conflict, the Red Sox won two of the series’ first three games in Chicago. Boston returned home to take Game Four, before the Cubs staved off elimination in Game Five. The Red Sox then closed out the series in Game Six with a 2-1 victory, clinching their fourth title of the decade and their third championship in the preceding four years.
After the Boston Red Sox squeaked out a 1-0 win last night, it will be a battle of pitching heavyweights in the finale of a two-game set with the Detroit Tigers tonight at Fenway Park.
Tonight’s game is scheduled to begin at 7:10 p.m. (weather permitting) and will be televised on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Tigers television market, you can catch the game on FoxSports Detroit. If you don’t live in either market, you’re in luck as well as the MLB Network will have coverage of the game. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.
Josh Beckett puts his 18.1 inning scoreless streak on the line tonight in his ninth start of 2011. In his previous eight outings, Beckett is 3-1 with a 1.75 ERA. He did not pitch against Detroit in 2010 and is 3-1 with a 2.60 ERA in four career starts against them. Two of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 1-1 with a 4.85 ERA.
Justin Verlander has also been hot as of late firing a no-hitter two starts ago. In nine starts in 2011, Verlander is 4-3 with a 2.91 ERA. He made one start against the Red Sox in 2010 receiving a no decision after allowing three runs in seven innings of work back on August 1st. He’s made five career starts against the Red Sox and is 2-2 with a 3.89 ERA. Four of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 2-1 with a 3.14 ERA.
Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.
Here are tonight’s lineups:
 22-20 |
 22-20 |
||
| 1. Austin Jackson | CF | 1. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
| 2. Scott Sizemore | 2B | 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 3. Brennan Boesch | RF | 3. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B |
| 4. Miguel Cabrera | 1B | 4. Kevin Youkilis | 3B |
| 5. Victor Martinez | DH | 5. David Ortiz | DH |
| 6. Andy Dirks | LF | 6. J.D. Drew | RF |
| 7. Jhonny Peralta | SS | 7. Jed Lowrie | SS |
| 8. Alex Avila | C | 8. Carl Crawford | LF |
| 9. Brandon Inge | 3B | 9. Jason Varitek | C |
| Justin Verlander | SP | Josh Beckett | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers:
Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
For a Third Time, MLB on FOX Screws Red Sox Fans in Connecticut [SOX & Dawgs]
Papelbon’s a relief for Red Sox [CSNNE.com]
Buchholz feels fine after record pitch count [CSNNE.com]
Video: Previewing tonight’s pitching matchup [ESPN Boston]
Sox, Cubs to wear 1918 throwbacks Saturday [ESPN Boston]
With Beckett-Verlander, no hit parade tonight [ESPN Boston]
Tito: Dice-K undecided about second opinion [ESPN Boston]
Run to Home Base draws 2,000; fans welcome at Fenway Park on Sunday [Extra Bases]
Galarraga is not a realistic solution [Extra Bases]
All of a sudden the Sox are right in the mix [Extra Bases]
Red Sox to `turn back the clock’ on Saturday against the Cubs [Extra Bases]
Game 43: Red Sox vs. Tigers pregame chatter [Extra Bases]
Buchholz continues Sox’ march to history [Full Count]
Pregame notes: Matsuzaka yet to seek second opinion [Full Count]
Fenway Park vs. Wrigley Field [Hartford Courant]
Jon Lester’s No-Hitter Anniversary, Chasing Ted Williams and Seven Other Red Sox Thoughts [NESN.com]
NESN to Televise Eight Red Sox Minor League Baseball Games Starting With Pawtucket-Toledo on May 22 [NESN.com]
Red Sox, Cubs to Celebrate Chicago’s First Trip to Fenway Park Since 1918 World Series [NESN.com]
Should Aceves or Wakefield be starting on Friday instead? [Projo Sox Blog]
Matsuzaka hasn’t sought second opinion [Projo Sox Blog]
Sox aim for sixth straight win behind Beckett [RedSox.com]
Preparations for I-93 Fast14 Crossover continue [RedSox.com]
Network anoints ’75 Series epic as top game [RedSox.com]
Photo credits: Reuters Pictures, Getty Images
For the third time in the past two seasons, MLB on FOX is screwing over fans of the Boston Red Sox in the state of Connecticut by not showing their game against the Chicago Cubs. Instead, fans will have to watch the New York Yankees and New York Mets do battle in yet another Subway Series.
Last year when the Red Sox played the Philadelphia Phillies, FOX61 in CT showed us the Mets/Yankees. We ended up missing a near no-hitter by Daisuke Matsuzaka. Just a month later, when the Yankees were taking on the Los Angeles Dodgers, FOX 61 decided to show that instead of the Red Sox/San Francisco Giants game.
I know for a fact that FOX61 gets to choose which game they want to broadcast in the Hartford market. I had email conversations with them about this very problem. Once was okay, twice was not and now a third time is just downright ludicrous.
Let’s see, since interleague play began, the Yankees and Mets have done battle while the Red Sox and Cubs have played just once. And what makes this Red Sox and Cubs matchup on Saturday night is not the pitching matchup of Carlos Zambrano and Alfredo Aceves but rather the fact that the Cubs haven’t been to Fenway Park since 1918.
You may remember 1918. It was the last time the Red Sox had won a World Series before 2004. The last time the Cubs won the World Series was in 1907 and they haven’t been there since 1945 when they lost to the Detroit Tigers.
So why on earth would Red Sox fans want to watch the Yankees and Mets when they could see a little history with the Cubs coming to the Fens for the first time in 93 years.
Now for the record, I am complaining on behalf of Red Sox fans here in Connecticut. However, I will not be watching it on television.
When I won an opportunity to purchase Red Sox tickets for any of the Yankees games or the Cubs series, I went with the Cubs. I’ve seen the Red Sox/Yanks in person so many times, both at Fenway and the old Yankee Stadium, that I decided it would be cool to see the Cubs knowing the history I told you about above.
I lucked out and was able to get a ticket for Saturday’s game. So I’ll be there watching it in person as I know some fans of the Red Sox from Connecticut will be doing. But for the others here, they’re stuck watching the Yankees and the Mets.
And that’s just right or fair to Red Sox fans in Connecticut.
The only thing we can do is complain to FOX 61 by lighting up their phone lines at 860-727-0082, fill up their fax machine at 860-293-0178 or send them an email complaining.
For a full look at the MLB on FOX breakdown for Saturday, May 21st, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
Here’s the MLB on FOX breakdown for 5/21 courtesy of Ken from Fang’s Bites.
New York Mets at New York Yankees – 36%
ANNOUNCERS: Joe Buck, Tim McCarver
MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, Detroit, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Jacksonville, Miami, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Raleigh, Richmond, Tampa, Washington, West Palm Beach
Chicago Cubs at Boston Red Sox – 32%
ANNOUNCERS: Kenny Albert & Eric Karros
MARKETS INCLUDE: Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dayton, Fort Myers, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, Providence, Salt Lake City, San Diego, St. Louis
Texas Rangers at Philadelphia Phillies – 19%
ANNOUNCERS: Matt Vasgersian & Tom Grieve & Ken Rosenthal
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Antonio, Tulsa
Oakland Athletics at San Francisco Giants – 12%
ANNOUNCERS: Dick Stockton & Mark Grace
MARKETS INCLUDE: Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle
The above picture of Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia tells you most of the story from last night. It was a miserable, dreary evening that could have resembled one in England, Scotland or Ireland. But a short time later after the picture was snapped, I’m sure you could find Pedroia smiling in the Red Sox clubhouse.
For the better part of the game, the Red Sox offense was stymied by Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Phil Coke who allowed just three hits, all singles, over the course of the first seven innings. Ryan Perry came in the 8th and got the first two batters he faced before Daniel Schlerleth came in and walked Carl Crawford.
Enter the light-hitting Jarrod Saltalamacchia. I should say he has been stroking the ball a little better as of late and like he did the other night in New York, Salty came through in the clutch, hitting a double to bring in Crawford all the way from first in what turned out to be the only run of the night for either team.
The Red Sox stayed in the game because of another fine start from Clay Buchholz. He didn’t get the win, that went to Daniel Bard, but he definitely deserved it. He had been looking for his fourth straight win in as many chances but instead he’ll have to settle for another quality start.
When Buchholz did get in trouble, he was able to get around it. His fastball had good life and he commanded all of his pitches well. But the 7th inning was key to his success last night.
He entered the 7th having thrown 100 pitches. By the time all was said and done, Buchholz had thrown a career-high 127 pitches.
He got his former batterymate Victor Martinez to ground out. He followed that up by plunking Jhonny Peralta before allowing a single to Alex Avila. He struck out Ryan Raburn for the second out and had Brandon Inge in a hole before he hit him as well. But Buchholz recovered and the 127th pitch of the night he threw was a swinging strike to Austin Jackson to end the threat.
Jonathan Papelbon worked around a leadoff double by VMart in the 9th to pick up the save for Bard and Buchholz.
Everyone expects tonight’s game between Justin Verlander and Josh Beckett to be a pitcher’s duel. No one expected that when they walked into Fenway Park last night. Coke hadn’t been exactly lights out this year. But what you saw was two pitchers who both had excellent stuff and kept the hitters at bay.
The Red Sox will look to keep the momentum going tonight in the finale before the Chicago Cubs come rolling into the Fens for the first time since the 1918 World Series.
We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links 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
Buchholz, Saltalamacchia clear the way for a win [Boston Globe]
For now, idea is to hang on with two hands [Boston Globe]
Matsuzaka may miss a month [Boston Globe]
Cubs almost twins [Boston Globe]
Red Sox soak up win on a rainy night at Fenway [Boston Herald]
Red Sox made right call in letting Victor Martinez go [Boston Herald]
No surgery for Daisuke Matsuzaka [Boston Herald]
Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s coming around [Boston Herald]
Red Sox shut out Tigers, 1-0 [CSNNE.com]
Depleted Sox show interest in Kevin Millwood [CSNNE.com]
Saltalamacchia breaks through in the clutch [CSNNE.com]
V-Mart gets warm welcome from ex-mates [ESPN Boston]
Rapid reaction: Red Sox 1, Tigers 0 [ESPN Boston]
Tito stops counting for Buchholz [ESPN Boston]
Efforts clouded by tough conditions [ESPN Boston]
Salty spices up Sox win [Extra Bases]
Closing Time: Jarrod Saltalamacchia steals spotlight away from Victor Martinez [Full Count]
Red Sox exploring rotation depth alternatives [Full Count]
Saltalamacchia starts to make his presence felt for Red Sox [Full Count]
Jarrod Saltalamacchia Says Neither Hitters Nor Pitchers Have Advantage on Rainy, Foggy Nights [NESN.com]
Jed Lowrie Says Clay Buchholz Looked His Best All Year Against Tigers [NESN.com]
Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s Game-Winning Hit Serves as Latest Sign of Progress at Plate [NESN.com]
Terry Francona Once Again Shows His Trust in Clay Buchholz [NESN.com]
Who Has Been the Red Sox’ MVP So Far? [NESN.com]
Saltalamacchia’s RBI double is deciding factor [Providence Journal]
Sox were in catch-22 with Martinez [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Matsuzaka will be out indefinitely [Providence Journal]
V-Mart misses Boston, happy to be with Tigers [RedSox.com]
Cubs’ return kicks off Interleague Play [RedSox.com]
‘Softened’ changeup Beckett’s biggest weapon [RedSox.com]
Scutaro feeling better, but still has oblique pain [RedSox.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to Ann Arbor News, Detroit Free Press and Detroit News websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brothers, Detroit4lyfe and The Tigers Den.
Photo credit: AP Photo
Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below.
Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
UConn Men’s Basketball links
Practice Makes Perfect [David Borges – New Haven Register]
Jim Calhoun Says No Decision On Future As He Receives Winged Foot Award [Hartford Courant]
For Calhoun, not much time for reflection [AP]
Calhoun preparing UConn team like he’ll return [ESPN NY]
UConn Women’s Basketball links
No decision coming soon for Holmes [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]
Maya Moore Talks About Joining The Jordan Brand [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]
Other UConn related links
UConn Club. Zach Goines Named Senior Director Of Development, Athletics [UConnHuskies.com]
M. Ice Hockey. Atlantic Hockey Announces New Playoff Format For 2012 [UConnHuskies.com]
Baseball. Baseball Finishes Regular Season at Cincinnati [UConnHuskies.com]
Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
If you would like to listen to any of the Red Sox minor league affiliates’ games, MiLB.com offers them for free.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
Rawlings Gold Glove Awards to Honor Minor Leaguers [PawSox.com]
Pawtucket Red Sox
The PawSox split a doubleheader with the Columbus Clippers winning the first 7-2 and losing the second 8-3.
PawSox take Opener and Give Away Nightcap [PawSox.com]
This split decision leaves bad taste [Providence Journal]
PawSox Travel Mug Night – Friday, May 27th [PawSox.com]
Pawtucket Red Sox @ Columbus Clippers 5.18.11 game 1 box score [MiLB.com]
Pawtucket Red Sox @ Columbus Clippers 5.18.11 game 2 box score [MiLB.com]
International League standings
The Reading Phillies roughed up the Sea Dogs bullpen in a 13-4 win. Today’s game has been rained out.
Rizzotti’s homers help topple Dogs [Portland Press Herald]
Reading Rolls Over Portland 13-4 [OurSports Central]
Sea Dogs Kick-Off 2011 Strike out Cancer in Kids Program [OurSports Central]
Reading Phillies @ Portland Sea Dogs 5.18.11 box score [MiLB.com]
Salem Red Sox:
The Wilmington Blue Rocks swept a doubleheader from Salem winning 7-1 and 5-1.
Blue Rocks extend Red Sox losing streak to 6 games [Roanoke Times]
Blue Rocks Sweep Twin-Bill from Sox [OurSports Central]
Give Blood Tomorrow, Get Free Tickets, T-Shirt [OurSports Central]
Wilmington Blue Rocks @ Salem Red Sox 5.18.11 game 1 box score [MiLB.com]
Wilmington Blue Rocks @ Salem Red Sox 5.18.11 game 2 box score [MiLB.com]
The Drive shutout the Augusta Greenjackets 3-0.
Augusta’s Bats Frozen in Shutout Loss [OurSports Central]
Greenville Drive @ Augusta Greenjackets 5.18.11 box score [MiLB.com]
South Atlantic League standings
Lowell Spinners:
The Lowell Spinners will begin their season on June 17th at home against the Connecticut Tigers.
Gulf Coast League Red Sox
The GCL Red Sox will begin their season on June 20th on the road against the GCL Rays.
After being rained out last night, the Boston Red Sox continue their seven-game homestand as they welcome the Detroit Tigers to Fenway Park for a two-game set beginning tonight.
Tonight’s game is scheduled to begin at 7:10 p.m. (weather permitting) and will be televised on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Tigers television market, you can catch the game on FoxSports Detroit. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.
Here’s the weather update from the Red Sox:
The current weather forecast (provided by the Red Sox private weather service, Telvent DTN) in the vicinity of Fenway Park calls for the chance of scattered light rain showers during the late afternoon and early evening hours.
All Fenway Park gates will open as regularly scheduled at 5:40 p.m. with a limited opening on Yawkey Way at 5:10 p.m. The Red Sox hope that tonight’s game against the Detroit Tigers, which is scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m., will be played. However, the Red Sox want to alert our fans to the possibility of a delay.
This forecast is of course subject to change as the evening progresses. Additional updates will be provided as necessary.
Clay Buchholz looks for his fourth win in as many starts in his ninth start of 2011. In his eight starts, Buchholz is 4-3 with a 3.94 ERA. He made two starts against the Tigers in 2010 going 1-0 with a 1.26 ERA. (2 ER/14.1 IP). He’s faced the Tigers four times in his career and is 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA. Two of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 0-1 with a 1.20 ERA (2 ER/15 IP).
After beginning the season in Jim Leyland’s bullpen, Phil Coke will make his eight start (10th appearance) for the Tigers. In his previous nine appearances (seven starts), Coke is 1-5 with a 4.54 ERA. He made three apperances out of the bullpen against the Red Sox last season and was 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA (2 ER/2 IP). He’s made 16 career appearances against the Red Sox and is 2-1 with a 3.29 ERA. He’s made eight of those bullpen appearances at the Fens where he is 0-1 with a 3.68 ERA (3 ER/7.1 IP).
Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.
Here are tonight’s lineups:
| 22-19 |
21-20 |
||
| 1. Austin Jackson | CF | 1. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
| 2. Scott Sizemore | 2B | 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 3. Brennan Boesch | RF | 3. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B |
| 4. Miguel Cabrera | 1B | 4. Kevin Youkilis | 3B |
| 5. Victor Martinez | DH | 5. David Ortiz | DH |
| 6. Jhonny Peralta | SS | 6. Jed Lowrie | SS |
| 7. Alex Avila | C | 7. Mike Cameron | RF |
| 8. Ryan Raburn | LF | 8. Carl Crawford | LF |
| 9. Brandon Inge | 3B | 9. Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C |
| Phil Coke | SP | Clay Buchholz | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers:
Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
Empty tank? What history says about Daisuke Matsuzaka’s health [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Victor Martinez on returning to Fenway: ‘I didn’t want to go away’ [Clubhouse Insider]
Dice K could be out of action until July [Clubhouse Insider]
Painful memories are returning [CSNNE.com]
Sprained elbow sidelines Dice-K for at least a month [CSNNE.com]
Adrian Gonzalez’s Swings Some of the Best Boston Has Seen Since Manny Ramirez [Don Orsillo – NESN.com]
Video: Olney on starting pitching market [ESPN Boston]
Papi’s hitting fastballs like it’s 2007 [ESPN Boston]
Dice-K MRI shows sprained elbow ligament [ESPN Boston]
Video: State of the Nation with Gordon Edes [ESPN Boston]
Sox hope Matsuzaka can avoid Tommy John [ESPN Boston]
Ortiz: Gonzo reminds me of young Papi [ESPN Boston]
Matsuzaka goes on DL with sprained elbow ligament [Extra Bases]
Jerry Remy on D&C: Sox pitchers’ injuries ‘legit’ [Full Count]
Peter Gammons on M&M: Jason Varitek ‘really believes’ in Alfredo Aceves [Full Count]
Daisuke likely out at least a month [Full Count]
Jim Leyland’s comments draw similarities to Red Sox plights [Full Count]
Daisuke: Injury is worse than expected, but surgery not a ‘concern’ [Full Count]
Victor Martinez: Boston was ‘best time of my career’ [Full Count]
Terry Francona on The Big Show: John Lackey ‘not trying to show anybody up’ [Full Count]
Red Sox Statement On Daisuke Matsuzaka [Hartford Courant]
Rays Surprisingly Holding Down First Place in AL East After 1-8 Start to Season [NESN.com]
Daisuke Matsuzaka Shut Down With Sprained UCL, Confident in Avoiding Surgery [NESN.com]
Victor Martinez Calls Time in Boston the ‘Best Time I’ve Had in My Career’ [NESN.com]
Peter Gammons Thinks Finding Replacements for Injured Starting Pitchers Could Be Problematic [NESN.com]
Victor Martinez Returns to Fenway Park, Appreciates Time Spent With Red Sox [NESN.com]
A Series Matter: Red Sox-Tigers and Memories of a Division Rival [Projo Sox Blog]
Looking ahead to June, mock drafts rolling out [Projo Sox Blog]
Matsuzaka to miss at least a month, likely more [Projo Sox Blog]
Buchholz looks to cool off red-hot Tigers [RedSox.com]
Cubs at Fenway should be worth the wait [RedSox.com]
Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images
BEAVERTON, Ore.: Today, Jordan Brand, a division of NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE), announced the signing of Maya Moore, two-time NCAA Women’s Basketball National Champion and college basketball’s all-time leader in games won as a player. One of the most decorated athletes in the history of collegiate sports, Moore becomes the first female basketball player to join the Jordan Brand.
Recognized as one of the greatest collegiate women’s basketball players to ever play, Moore led the University of Connecticut Huskies to back-to-back NCAA titles in 2009 and 2010. During her tenure at UCONN, she re-wrote college basketball’s record books by leading the Huskies to a 150-4 record, including an NCAA Division I basketball record 90-game win streak.
“I am thrilled to welcome Maya Moore into the Jordan Brand,” said Michael Jordan. “Not only has Maya proven to be a prolific winner on the court, but her hunger and determination to make an impact off the court makes her a valuable addition to the Jordan family. We look forward to working with Maya as she carries her success to the next level.”
Boasting numerous career accolades which includes earning two National Player of the Year awards (2010, 2011), three Academic All-American awards (2009-2011), four National All-American awards (2008-11), and most recently being named the top overall pick in the 2011 WNBA draft by the Minnesota Lynx, the 6’0” forward will join a renowned lineup of Jordan Brand athletes highlighted by Derek Jeter, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Andre Johnson among others.
“As a student of the game, it is a dream come true to align myself with a brand that has a rich history in sports,” said Maya Moore. “Like most kids, I grew up idolizing Michael Jordan and continue to work relentlessly to reach his iconic status on the court. I’m truly motivated to take my career to the next level as a member of Team Jordan.”
About Jordan Brand
Jordan Brand, a division of NIKE, Inc., is a premium brand of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories inspired by the dynamic legacy, vision and direct involvement of Michael Jordan. The brand made its debut in 1997 and has grown into a complete collection of sport performance and lifestyle product. The Jordan Brand remains active in the community through its new corporate responsibility program WINGS for the Future, focusing on three unique community programs emphasizing Education, Sport and Creativity.
For more information on Jordan Brand, visit www.Jumpman23.com.
