6 Sox, 3 Oakland

John Lackey did the job. It may not be the best line ever, 5.1 innings 3 earned runs, 2ks, but he got the win. I don't think many of us expect a better line than that going forward, but we will take it. John Lackey is our 4th starter, I don't care how much he's paid, as long as he doesn't give up more than 4 runs a start I don't care.

Now for people I like talking about, Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez were responsible for 5 of the 6 runs the Sox scored this afternoon. Crawford hit a 3-run home run into the bullpen in the second inning off of Brett Anderson. Then Adrian Gonzalez hit a 2 run blast into the monster 2 innings later to put the A's away for good. David Ortiz went 3-4 and is amazing, he is now hitting .325 for the season. Salty had a 3-for-4 game of his own with a triple and 2 singles.

But isn't Adrian Gonzalez the best hitter anyone has ever seen in a Sox uniform. Since I never saw Ted play, I guess the comparisons would be Manny and Wade Boggs, and they never were able to do what this guy has done thus far.

We are a game back against the Yankees heading into NY this week.

Ok Dice-K Is Gone, What Now?

As DP reported yesterday Rice-K is gone, so the question is what happens now. Well, the Sox are going to have to hope that Lackey can comeback and be solid. He doesn't have to be great, but solid (ERA under 5 and win 50%), because otherwise the Sox will be filling two spots instead of one.

As for taking Dice-K's spot, for now if will be Wake/Aceves. They can hold on to it for awhile, but I don't see either as a long term solutions for the rest of the season. The guy that is interesting is Felix Doubront. He is finally healthy again and he has a 1.59 ERA and .172 batting average against in five starts for the PawSox.

The only problem I see for Doubront is if Hill is out for the season and the Sox don't find a guy to get lefties out. Dourbount did that pretty well last year against lefties (.189 BA), so they might need him to fill that role. I would rather they find someone else, and see what this kid can do starting, but we will have to wait and see, because the other option other then the 3 I have mentioned it Milwood and none of us feel like dealing with his 82 MPH fastball.

Okajima hoping for trade

With Rich Hill out Hideki Okajima would rather not be called up and instead be traded.


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Sorry Oki, but the jig is up. You're stuck here or Japan. If anyone wanted you, you would have been gone by now. You have 0 value at all and are just terrible. I have been trying to defend you, I just can't.

Sit down and shut up.

Dice K Needs Tommy John

Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka has elected to have Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow and intends to inform the team of his decision when he meets with club officials this week, according to a baseball source. ESPN

This is huge news for the Red Sox who lost their pitcher to put them over the hump. The thing that sucks the most is that he tried every option before realizing he had to get this done. This may be the last time we ever see Dice K in a Sox uniform as he is a free agent after this year and the recovery time is a little over a year.

Dice K finished his Red Sox career with a 49-30 record with a 4.25 era and 568 Ks. To put that in persecutive that's a lower ERA than Josh Becketts Red Sox career era and a pretty good winning percentage to boot. I'm not going to say that the season is over, but it looks glum with this more than significant loss.

RIP Dice K

7 White Sox, 4 Red Sox

Well we were swept by the White Sox.

Wakefield pitched very well in the beginning of the game, good enough to win. The Sox even had a 3-0 lead early in the game. The wheels started to come off for Wakefield as he gave up 1 in the 4th inning, two in the 5th inning, and 1 more in the sixth. Wake was pulled after the sixth (6 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 1 K), valiant effort.

David Ortiz hit a solo shot in the bottom of the 6th to give Wakefield the no-decision. That was it for the Sox as Chicago put up 3 unanswered runs through the final 3 innings to win this one, 7-4 and pick up the 3 game sweep of Boston. The Red Sox have now lost 4 straight.... gay.

Ortiz and Pedroia were the only ones to pick up multi hit games. Rich Hill left this game in the seventh with a forearm injury to his throwing arm. Looked real bad.

White Sox @ Red Sox Preview

The Red Sox have fallen out of 1st place, and it could get worse as Wakefield goes against Gavin Floyd. Floyd has been impressive against Boston in his career going is 4-0 with a 2.81 ERA in 5 career starts against Boston, and has a 1.69 ERA in his last four. He has lost his last three road outings so hopefully Boston can finally figure him out.

In Wake's last 2 starts he has gone a total of 13 2/3 letting up only 3 ERs. He isn't very good against the White Sox in his career though (7-12 4.93), and I am kind of expecting one of those "bad" Wakefield starts today.

Boston did start crushing the ball at the end of last game, and I think it will be another high scoring affair, but I do think the White Sox are going to get enough out of Floyd to win.

White Sox win 8-7
Player of the Game: Konerko
Game starts at 1:35pm

10 White Sox, 7 Red Sox

It was too little too late. When the Red Sox offense awoke, we already had given up on the game and the lead was insurmountable. Phil fucking Humber and Sexy Alexei Ramirez tore through the Red Sox. Alexei was 4-5 and Philip Humber went 7 innings giving up a home run to Jason Queeratek. But then the 8th happened Humber gave up hits to Josh Reddick, Drew Sutton, and Kevin Youkilis. He was relieved by Will Ohman and he gave up a bomb to David Ortiz for a three run bomb. The good luck continued in the ninth as Reddick and Sutton drove in two more runs to inch the Sox closer but Adrian Gonzalez got caught looking at a third strike to squash any hopes of a comeback.

I don't mind this loss though, Alfredo Aceves gave up a fuck ton of runs. He's on borrowed time and should be his last start until....... Lackey returns. Alfredo Aceves got roughed up against this White Sox offense, giving up eight earned runs in just five innings pitched.

They've lost three straight to end what has been a remarkable May and finish the month 19-10.

White Sox @ Red Sox Preview

The Red Sox have lost 2 in a row, and the White Sox seem to have their number winning for the 11th time in 13 matchups against Boston. If only they could have that kind of success against the rest of the MLB, as the Sox are having a terrible year (25-31).

Alfredo Aceves takes the hill for the Red Sox, and he has been a nice surprise. In his two starts this season he has gone a total of 11 innings allowing only 2 runs. You can't ask for much more out of him, and hopefully he can keep it up tonight. On paper the White Sox should have a very good lineup. I still think they are really good even with Dunn being the worst player ever. Aceves could run into trouble as their is a ton of power throughout this lineup.

Phil Humber has been one of the biggest surprised of the season. He is is 2-1 with a 2.16 ERA in his last six starts, and is basically going to take Danks spot in the rotation. I haven't taken him seriously all season, but I am actually very interested to watch him pitch tonight. It's hard to argue with the numbers he has been putting up, but if the Red Sox are hitting on all cylinders it really doesn't matter who is on the mound.

Red Sox win 7-6
Player of the Game: Ortiz
Game starts at 7:10pm

7 White Sox, 3 Red Sox

5.2 innings 8 hits 7 runs 1 homer 4 walks and struck out 4, that was Jon Lester's number. I guess he wasn't out of the little funk he was in over the past couple of weeks and now is 7-2 and a 3.94 era.

Paul Konerko was able to establish his dominance against Lester with another hr off of him. For the Sox the lone bright spot would be that Adrian Gonzalez hit a hr to make his total in double digits.

The Red Sox had a tough time with runners in scoring position and didn't have many, as they went 1-for-6 on the evening

Box Score

Red Sox @ Tigers Preview

The Red Sox are probably wishing they could play another day game, since they have scored 28 runs the last two days, but right now it doesn't seem like anything can stop them.

Tonight we get the Wake vs. Rick Porcello. Porcello has had a nice bounce back year so far (4-2 3.08 ERA. He doesn't strikeout a lot of guys, but he makes you swing by being able to nibble. Porcello is 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA in his last six starts, but maybe that's what fires up the Sox. It seems like every time the Sox play a good pitcher (or one that is "hot") they explode.

The Wake has done a good job for the Sox so far. Wakefield is 10-3 with a 3.51 ERA in his last 14 starts versus the Tigers, so hopefully he can keep that up. Wake is a tough guy to project. He could go in and pitch 6 strong innings and the knuckleball will be dancing, or it won't and he could last 2 innings. I'll take the middle ground and say we get 5 innings from Wake allowing 2-3 runs.

Red Sox win 7-5
Player of the Game: Gonzalez
Game starts at 7:05pm

Red Sox 14 Tigers 1

Boy was I wrong. I thought that Scherzer would be able to slow down the Red Sox offense, instead they lit him up for 7 runs in 2 innings. This game (much the game before) was over before it started.

Ellsbury hit a 3 run HR, and Crawford went 4-5 with 3 RBIs. Speaking of Crawford he is now batting .244, which is just .003 behind Pedroia in batting average. I wonder if a change in the lineup with will happen? I say not yet, but certainly something they will start looking at in a month or so, because right now they are so hot I wouldn't change anything.

Alfredo Aceves was very good once again, which has me thinking if we actually even want Lackey back. Anyways, he was great letting up just 1 runs over 6 innings strikingout out 6 batters.

Boston has won 11 of 13, and are tied for 1st place with the Yankees in the AL East. It's been an incredible turnaround, and if they can figure out their bullpen issues they could be unstoppable.

Guess I'm Not The Only One Worried About Pedroia

A couple days ago I wrote about how I was worried about Pedria (click here for post). Well, apparently I'm not the only one who is worried...

"Gammons also noted that second baseman Dustin Pedroia is "not going to be right all year with that screw in his foot." Pedroia missed a game after spraining his ankle in Monday's loss to the Indians but returned in Wednesday's 14-2 romp with a home run and three RBI.

"It's amazing what he's done considering how often he plays in pain," Gammons said. "His OPS is down about 190 points. His slugging is down from like 490 to 313 going into [Wednesday], but he plays through it. He never complains about it. The great thing about Dustin is he shows up at the park and says, 'If I can't do this, I'll do this [instead] and try to win.' There aren't athletes in too many places like him who show up every day and try to find a way to win. That's what he does (WEEI)."

I know he went off yesterday (who didn't though), but I am concerned about his foot. In the field I haven't really noticed it, but his stats are down across the board at the plate (as Gammons noted). As long as that screw is in his foot agree with Gammons that I don't think he will be a the player we have been seeing the last couple of year.

Pedroia plans to have that screw removed after this season.

Red Sox @ Tigers Preview

The Red Sox needed a laugher and they got one yesterday blowing the doors off the Indians. Boston has been on fire playing .676 baseball since that 2-10 start, as Rob pointed out earlier. Now they head to Detriot.

Wow, can't believe the Sox are playing back-to-back day games. I really love day games and I miss there were more of them. Anyways, it's Aceves vs. Scherzer today. Scherzer has only let up 5 ER over his last 4 starts. On the season he is 6-1 with a 2.98 ERA. In short, the Sox could be in for a long day.

Alfredo Aceves is getting his 2nd start since filling in for Lackey/Dice-K. In his last start he held the Cubs to one run and three hits over five innings, so we really can't complain.

I like Aveces, but I really don't like this matchup. I know the Sox have been beating the best pitchers, but I just don't see it today. Basically I am rooting for rain.

Tigers win 5-3
Player of the Game: Cabrera
Game starts at 1:05pm

14 Red Sox, 2 Indians

Home run derby time as the Red Sox beat the shit out of the Indians started off with 7 quick runs and ended up winning 14-2. In the 14 runs the Red Sox had 4 homeruns, Pedroia hit a 2-run homer in the 1st, Crawford hit a solo shot in the 3rd, Ortiz had a solo homer in the 6th, then the next 2 batters reached after Papi, and Salty brought them in with a 3-run shot.

Everyone on the Sox got at least 2 hits except Jed Lowrie who went 0-5.

Jon Lester was great. Lester went 6 innings, gave up only 3 hits, no runs, 1 walk, and struck out 7. Lester has a major league best 7 wins.

We were up on the Yankees for an hour, but they ended up winning.... gay

Red Sox @ Indians Preview

The Sox finally beat the Indians, and with Lester on the hill one would think they should be able to win another one today. In a rare day game we get Lester vs. Mitch Talbot.

Mitch Talbot (1-0, 1.46), who has been on the disabled list since April 17 due to a strained throwing elbow get the start for the Indians. Personally, I think he sucks. I know every time I say that the player goes out and has a great game, but this guy throw garbage. Talbot's season debut came against the Red Sox, when he allowed 2 runs, 5 hits and 3 walks over 4 1/3 innings of Cleveland's 8-4 victory. You can tell that even though he only allowed 2 runs, he was far from strong in that game. I think today Boston capitalizes and blows this guy up.

Lester is 3-1 with a 3.93 ERA in 9 career starts versus the Indians. He is also an amazing 8-0 with a 3.16 ERA in 10 May starts over the past two seasons. Lester has won his last two start, but has been far from sharp. He has allowed a total of 14 runs over his last 3 games, including 12 hits against the Cubs last time out. The Red Sox really need him to step up, and be an ace (along with Beckett), which the starting rotation looking thin. I expect 7 innings from him every time out, something he hasn't done in each of the last 3 games. Lester is too good to struggle for long, so today would be a perfect day to go out and throw a gem.

Red Sox win 7-1
Players of the Game: Lester/Gonzalez
Game starts at 12:05pm


***LINEUP***

Kevin Youkilis has a sore left hand, the result of a fielding play last night, and is out of the lineup, but Pedroia is back. Here is the rest of the lineup...

Ellsbury, CF
Pedroia, 2B
Gonzalez, 1B
Ortiz, DH
Lowrie, SS
Crawford, LF
Saltalamacchia, C
Cameron, RF
Sutton, 3B

4 Sox, 2 Indians

"Fuck this! Fuck This place!"

That's what Josh Beckett was screaming after he was relieved by Rich Hill in the 7th after walking a batter. Rich Hill promptly struck out Jack Hannahan causing Josh Beckett to expressing his true feelings towards Cleveland and earning his first win at the Jake. Hill worked the 8th only allowing a walk. Papelbon worked the ninth and despite giving up his first home run of the year to Travis Buck, gets his ninth save of the year.

Beckett was really good tonight, 6 2/3 innings, five hits, and allowing one run in the second. Beckett's ERA this year is now a ridiculous 1.69 on the season.

Adrian Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie both drove runs in and David Ortiz is the only member of the Sox who had a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4.

Sox are a half game back in the AL East.

Box Score

Red Sox @ Indians Preview

The Sox have battled out of one of their worst starts to a season they have ever had, but they still (like much of the league) haven't figured out the Indians. Tonight they will get another shot with Beckett going against Carmona.

Beckett has been awesome this year (3-1 1.73 ERA), but had to leave last game with a stiff neck. Hopefully that is gone tonight, and he can get back to dominating, because the Sox can't afford to lose another starting pitcher. Beckett has not been very good against the Indians going 0-3 with a 6.48 ERA in 3 starts.

Meanwhile, Carmona has been pretty damn good against the Sox with a 1.69 ERA his last 4 starts against Boston. Carmona is a guy who lives for ground balls, so the Sox are going to need to find a way to elevate the ball. They also need to be patient, as Carmona has had a tendency to walk a lot of guys (though not this year 19 in 64 1/3 innings).

The Red Sox haven't dropped seven in a row in Cleveland since a 12-game skid Aug. 23, 1931-Sept. 15, 1932. The streak has to stop somewhere, so I say it stops tonight.

Red Sox win 6-3
Player of the Game: Ortiz
Game starts 7:05pm

Anyone Worried About Pedroia?

Because I have to say I'm starting to...

"Pedroia slipped while rounding second base in the eighth inning of last night’s 3-2 loss against the Indians and fell face-first on the rain-soaked infield at Progressive Field. Pedroia did not immediately try to get up. He struggled to his feet, then left the game escorted by a trainer, walking cautiously (Boston.com)."

This is the 2nd time Pedroia has had a scare with that foot that he has a screw in. What made me more nervous this time was his comment "“When I do something like that, my leg goes kind of like a stinger like you get in football. It took a little while to get the feeling back in it,’’ he said. “Anaheim was perfect, I got the feeling back in a minute. It took five this time.’’ Maybe I am reading into too much, but when they were playing in on WEEI and he kept saying how he loses feeling it just made me nervous. The Sox can't afford to lose him, and for this team to hit on all cylinders they are going to not only need him to be healthy but hitting a lot better then .246 (2 HRs 11 RBIs).

They are saying he will get tonight's game off (which they say was scheduled anyways), and be out there the next game. Still at what point to be start getting worried that he isn't 100% after looking at his stats this year?

Dice K To Get Tommy John

Boston Herald
Daisuke Matsuzaka may wind up needing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, but any decision on that significant procedure, which would require a 12-month minimum layoff, is believed to be weeks away.

In the meantime, Matsuzaka flew home to Japan yesterday, in part to seek traditional Japanese treatment opinions and remedies for his ailing right elbow.

Even if the more extensive MRI reveals a full tear, there is still a chance Matsuzaka will be able to pitch with it and not risk further injury, as there are currently major league pitchers with partially or fully torn UCL’s doing that, according to a baseball source familiar with the type of injury Matsuzaka has.

Well that would suck if Dice K needed Tommy John because he wasn't having a bad year. With John Lackey being the worst pitcher of all time the Sox need some arms in the back end of the rotation. And with all due respect to the Wake and to Alfredo Aceves I feel thats not what need if we are going to be going to the championship.

Terry Francona says that he doesn't need to get surgery so I'm going to stick with that.

Hopefully his Asian medicine will do the trick.

3 Indians, 2 Red Sox

Daniel Bard sucks... He's on my shit list for a while.

Daniel Bard came in with 1 out and 1 on in the 8th and couldn't get the job done as the Indians scored twice and took the first game 3-2.

Clay Buchholz had another good start as he went 7.1 innning, struck out 4 and let up 2 er.

Dustin Pedroia left the game with an unknown leg injury that was sustained when he rounded second and seemed to get his feet caught up. No word on what the injury may be.

Carl Crawford hit his second homer of the season, a solo shot in the 5th, that gave the Red Sox the 2-1 lead. But Clutch wasn't so clutch last night as he hit into a double play with a man on 1st and 3rd.

Box Score