Boston Red Sox vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 2009 ALDS Pitching Matchups

Boston Red Sox vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 2009 ALDS Pitching Matchups

Thursday, October 8th @ 9:37 PM at Angel Stadium of Anaheim

Jon Lester, LHP vs John Lackey, RHP

TV: TBS

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, ESPN Radio

Friday, October 9th @ 9:37 PM at Angel Stadium of Anaheim

Josh Beckett, RHP vs Jered Weaver, RHP

TV: TBS

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, ESPN Radio

Sunday, October 11th @ 12:07 PM at Fenway Park

Scott Kazmir, LHP vs Clay Buchholz, RHP

TV: TBS

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, ESPN Radio

Monday, October 12th @ 8:37 PM at Fenway Park

TBA vs TBA

TV: TBS

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, ESPN Radio

Wednesday, October 14th @ TBA at Angel Stadium of Anaheim

TBA vs TBA

TV: TBS

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, ESPN Radio

2009 ALDS Predictions

2009 MLB Postseason

It feels weird coming back and not talking entirely about the Boston Red Sox and UConn Huskies but with the MLB Postseason getting underway this afternoon, it’s time to make predictions.

Steve has emailed me his predictions and I’ll offer mine up below as well. So now on to the fun.

2009 ALDS

Boston Red Sox vs Los Angeles Angels

  • Steve – Red Sox in 4
  • Ian – Red Sox in 5

Minnesota Twins vs New York Yankees

  • Steve – Yankees in 3
  • Ian – Yankees in 4

2009 NLDS

Colorado Rockies vs Philadelphia Phillies

  • Steve – Phillies in 5
  • Ian – Rockies in 5

St. Louis Cardinals vs Los Angeles Dodgers

  • Steve – Cardinals in 4
  • Ian – Cardinals in 4

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

The Return

As many of you know or found out when you came to visit the site, I decided basically overnight a few weeks ago to shut down my site. At that point I hadn’t decided whether or not it was going to be permanent. I was burnt out and stressed out from other things.

During the time off, I found myself with more time than normal during the day and began to think, had I made a horrible mistake. I knew that my site was popular but after seeing emails and tweets from people, I hadn’t realized how popular the site was.

So I got back to thinking. Was shutting the site down for good what I really wanted? Or was it that I just needed a break? If I am to bring back the site, changes need to be made but what will those changes be?

The answer to the first question after thinking was no I didn’t want to shut down the site for good. I had something built up here. To answer the second question, yes I probably just needed a break.

The answer to third question is yes there will be changes to be made to the content. Since the Patriots coverage has been nothing to spotty at best, I will be cutting that out. It will return only if Steve returns to the site (that is something I’ve discussed with him). The Celtics coverage will also be dropped. There are plenty of great sites out there for which you can get that coverage.

This will allow me to focus on the Boston Red Sox and UConn Huskies. For the Huskies coverage, it will remain the same. Previews of games, quick recaps of games and a daily link roundup.

I don’t expect to change too much in the Red Sox coverage other than I probably won’t be doing full game recaps. Although I really hadn’t done a full one in a while, I was doing brief almost AP-like recaps. I may or may not do those for the playoffs.

Also, instead of linking to every Red Sox story out there after offering up my thoughts in Morning Red Sox post, more than likely I will direct you to the media websites.

However, with that being said, if something important does come up either over night and during the day, I will link directly to the story.

So other than dropping the Patriots and Celtics, I don’t think you’ll really see too much changing here. I still plan to do the other things I’ve been doing if my schedule permits such as MMA videos and other sports stories.

I also plan to bring back the link salute to other bloggers once or twice a week. As always that will link you to some of the best stories from the blogs and sites I read on a daily basis.

I’ve talked to Amanda Bruno of Batter-up With Bruno and she’ll be stopping by from time-to-time when her schedule permits to do some cross-posting here.

I want to personally thank everyone for their support while I tried to figure out what was best for me and the site. Without you, the site wouldn’t be anything. So for that I thank you.

Boston Red Sox News & Notes – 9/18

Boston Red Sox's Jason Bay, right, is congratulated by teammates Victor Martinez and David Ortiz (34) after his two-run home run off Los Angeles Angels starter Ervin Santana in the fourth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Last night was one of those would of, could of, should have won games for the Boston Red Sox against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park.

After falling behind on a Howie Kendrick home run in the third inning, Jacoby Ellsbury got the Red Sox on the board with a solo home run in the fourth to break up Ervin Santana’s perfect game. A few batters later, Jason Bay brought in Victor Martinez with a 2-run blast.

The Angels would get the run back in the top half of the fifth and with the way Beckett was pitching though, you thought the lead might be safe. Well guess what, when your catcher can’t block a pitch for the second night in a row, bad things can happen.

And they did.

Beckett had gotten the first two outs in the inning and then gave up a single to Kendrick. Macier Izturis hit a pinch-hit ground rule double to put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Beckett had two strikes on Chone Figgins when Jason Varitek came to the mound to discuss the pitch.

What Jason Varitek should be wearing behind the plate. Goalie pads.

What Jason Varitek should be wearing behind the plate. Goalie pads.

Even though he knew what was coming, Varitek didn’t do a good enough job to get down and block the ball as Figgins swung and missed. The ball went through the wickets of Varitek and he stumbled to get the ball as the tying run would score.

The Angels would get their revenge from Wednesday night to win the game in the 9th on a bloop single just over the outstretched glove of Dustin Pedroia.

Beckett has definitely turned the corner now after struggling while being under the weather. Although he didn’t get the win, he showed that the Red Sox top three of himself,  Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz will be a formidable rotation to face in the playoffs.

Speaking of playoffs, the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers were both idle last night. This means the Red Sox fall to seven games behind the Yankees in the AL East standings. The Red Sox lead in the wild card is at six games over the Rangers.

As for the site today, I will not be around so there won’t be an afternoon lineup post.

Continue reading →

Boston Red Sox @ Baltimore Orioles Pitching Matchups: 9/18-9/20

Boston Red Sox @ Baltimore Orioles pitching matchups

Friday, September 18th @ 7:05 PM

Clay Buchholz, RHP (5-3, 3.66) vs Jeremy Guthrie, RHP (10-14, 5.06)

TV: NESN, MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Game Day Audio

Saturday, September 19th @ 7:05 PM

Jon Lester, LHP (13-7, 3.29) vs David Hernandez, RHP (4-8, 5.40)

TV: NESN, MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Game Day Audio

Sunday, September 20th @ 1:35 PM

Daisuke Matsuzaka, RHP (2-5, 7.02) vs Jason Berken, RHP (5-11, 6.08)

TV: NESN, MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Game Day Audio

Red Sox Rookie Hazing 2009

It’s that time of the year when MLB rookies across the league are getting the old hazing treatment. And with the Boston Red Sox embarking on their final road trip of the season, it was their rookies turn to play dress up.

Leading us off in the Wizard of Oz theme is none other than the lead character Dorothy otherwise known as Japanese rookie Junichi Tazawa.

Junichi Tazawa as Dorothy - Sankei Sports/Kyodo

Junichi Tazawa as Dorothy - Sankei Sports/Kyodo

He may be a flamethrower on the mound but last night Daniel Bard was known as the Cowardly Lion.

Daniel Bard as the Cowardly Lion - Joe Giza/WBZ

Daniel Bard as the Cowardly Lion - Joe Giza/WBZ

Continue reading →

Peter Abraham recruited by The Boston Globe to cover Red Sox

Peter AbrahamNew Bedford, Mass. native and New York Yankees beat writer Peter Abraham is leaving his post at The Journal News after nearly 10 years and taking on every Boston sports journalists dream, being the newest recruit at The Boston Globe covering the Boston Red Sox.

Abraham announced the news on The LoHud Yankees Blog around 7 p.m. Thursday night and said that it was not an easy decision for him.

From his blog: “But it wasn’t an easy call. I have literally not slept for 48 hours pondering this decision. The Journal News has treated me better than I had any right to expect and tried very hard to convince me to stay. I also really, really love covering the Yankees.”

Abraham will not only write about the Sox in print, but also blog on Boston.com. At The Journal News he covered the Yankees and New York Mets. Prior to that, he was the beat writer for UConn basketball for The Norwich (Conn.) Bulletin for 13 seasons. The UMass-Amherst graduate got his first gig part-time at The Standard Times covering high school sports back in the day.

That is actually very interesting, a Mass. native who loves covering the Yankees and will now be covering his hometown team. What will readers think of this?

And if Abraham is coming aboard, does this mean someone else is leaving?

Amalie Benjamin? Adam Kilgore?

Certainly it can’t be Nick Cafardo or Tony Massarotti.

My bet is Adam Kilgore because I doubt they are creating another new position unless things are being shift around because of the latest departure in Mike Reiss.

I guess we will see within the next two weeks.

It’s been quite the changing of the guard over the last year and a half at the Globe. Here are all of the big moves since April of 2008:

Boston Celtics Peter May – takes buyout guest appearances for Yahoo! Sports and Globe Marc J. Spears – leaves Denver Post goes to Globe; leaves Globe goes to Yahoo! Sports

Columnists Jackie MacMullan – takes buyout goes to ESPN.com, guest Globe correspondent Tony Massarotti – leaves Boston Herald goes to Boston Globe/Boston.com

Boston.com/bloggers Chad Finn – promoted from copy editor to Boston.com blogger

Editors Ken Fratus – (asst. sports editor) takes buyout goes to ESPN in Bristol, Conn. Reid Laymance – (senior asst. sports editor) takes buyout goes to St. Louis Post Dispatch

Boston Red Sox Gordon Edes – leaves Globe goes to Yahoo! Sports Amalie Benjamin – promoted to beat writer Adam Kilgore – leaves Washington Post goes to Globe

New England Patriots Mike Reiss – leaves Globe goes to ESPNBoston.com That’s what happens when you intern during all of this, you actually remember it all unfolding in front of your eyes and continue to cover it afterwards.

Amanda Bruno is a freelance sportswriter for The Springfield Republican and also writes weekly features for the Plus Papers on Wednesdays. She also writes over at Batter-up with Bruno where she shares her thoughts about the Boston Red Sox and the Boston sports media. You can follow her on Twitter @batterupbruno and can reach Amanda through email at brunosportshawk [at] gmail.com.

Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 9/17

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett looks on from the dugout after being taken out of the game against the Oakland Athletics during the eighth inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts July 27, 2009. - Reuters Photo

After a topsy turvy game last night at Fenway Park, the Boston Red Sox will look for a sweep of the homestand against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The game tonight is scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m. and the game will be televised on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Angels television market, you can catch the game on Fox Sports West. If you live out of either market, you’re in luck as well as tonight’s game is also on the MLB Network. And if the television isn’t your cup of tea, you can catch the game on one of the many affiliates of the Red Sox Radio Network.

Josh Beckett makes start number thirty on the season for Terry Francona. He is 15-6 with a 3.82 ERA. He’s made one start against the Angels and is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA. He’s made seven career starts against the Angels and is 2-3 with a 4.26 ERA. If he pitches 6 2/3 innings, he’ll reach 200 innings for the third time in his career.

Ervin Santana has made 20 starts for the Angels this season and is 7-8 with a 5.52 ERA. He’s made one start against the Red Sox and received a no-decision after allowing three earned runs in five innings. Santana has made five career starts against the Red Sox and is 1-2 with a 5.67 ERA. He is 0-2 with a 7.53 ERA in three starts at Fenway Park.

Watson looking into Angels’ comments [Extra Bases]

Pregame updates from Fenway [Extra Bases]

Abreu not dwelling on Easter altercation [Full Count]

Transcript: Peter Gammons On Dale & Holley [Full Count]

Red Sox pregame Thursday 9/17 [Full Count]

Sox to use six-man rotation [Projo Sox Blog]

It was just Manny being Manny. . . [Projo Sox Blog]

Youkilis improved, Green has leg problem [Projo Sox Blog]

Papelbon ready, Martinez back, and other notes [Clubhouse Insider]

October is Coming [Ask 14]

Umps file complaint after being “verbally abused” by Angels coaches Wednesday night [Clubhouse Insider]

Here are the starting lineups for tonight’s game:

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim86-59

Boston Red Sox86-58
1. Chone Figgins 3B 1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Erick Aybar SS 2. Dustin Pedroia 2B
3. Bobby Abreu DH 3. Victor Martinez 1B
4. Torii Hunter CF 4. Jason Bay LF
5. Kendry Morales 1B 5. David Ortiz DH
6. Juan Rivera LF 6. Mike Lowell 3B
7. Gary Matthews, Jr. RF 7. J.D. Drew RF
8. Howie Kendrick 2B 8. Jason Varitek C
9. Jeff Mathis C 9. Alex Gonzalez SS
Ervin Santana SP Josh Beckett SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers:

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs Boston Red Sox batter/pitcher matchups

New York Jets Caught Cheating

Eric Mangini and Brett Favre - AP Photo

“Oh what tangled webs we weave, when we practice to decieve”.

That in a nutshell appears to be the motto of the NFL’s new cheaters, the New York Jets. The once holier than thou football team has been caught doing what they publicly despised.

They cheated.

In an interview with the Minnesota media last week former Jets QB Brett Favre revealed that some where around Week 10 or so of the 2008 season the Jets were aware of his torn biceps muscle due to a MRI by the team physician. Favre went onto say he encouraged the team to rest him for a few weeks to let his arm rest.

This isn’t a case of a team playing with an injury report and saying a player was probable all week only to declare him out on gameday. Oh no, this was a malicious deception crafted by former head coach Eric Mangini, VP Mike Tannenbaum and the clubs coaching, medical and front office staff. This was the known circumvention of a rule designed to protect the integrity of the game.

The NFL looked into Favre’s claim and found it to be truthful and fined the team, Tannenbaum and Mangini a total of $125,000 which to me wasn’t steep enough. The Jets cheated plain and simple and the punishment needs to fit the crime.