Its a little bit late in the week but I'm actually home tonight to watch the game online. Plus the Yankees series is coming up this weekend so I thought I'd open another Red Sox thread.

 

The Red Sox got a rain shortened complete game from Tim Wakefield in a 7 inning 10-1 win against the Minnesota Twins. Wakefield at 42 became the oldest pitcher to throw back to back complete games in 44 year old Charlie Hough in 1992. It was the Red Sox 6th straight win after a slow start.

The Red Sox offense has really come around during their 6 game winning streak. They have outscored their opponents 48-17 during the streak.

Jeff Bailey, who was recalled from Pawtucket for the double header, hit a 3 run homer after a walk to Drew and a Varitek hit by pitch to give the Red Sox an early 3-0 lead off of Francisco Liriano.

Big Papi doubles in Ellsbury and Pedroia with his 3rd hit of the double header to put the Red Sox up 5-0 now in the 3rd.

Justin Morneau with a solo shot to the triangle to cut the lead to 5-1.

 

On a side note, NESN had Dave Roberts, who recently retired in the booth tonight. Roberts steal in Game 4 of the ALCS started the rally that led to the toppling of the Yankees from a 3-0 deficit and the Red Sox first World Series win in 86 years. I think my favorite moment as a sports fan was, not even the World Series (although that was great as well), but taking 86 years of frustration out on the Yankees and their spoiled fans in 2004. That steal really helped change the fortune of the whole franchise.

The Sox have been getting some very good pitching lately after a rather rough start to the season. I really like their chances to win the East this year, more so than I thought I would back in Spring Training.

The Sox have been getting some very good pitching lately after a rather rough start to the season. I really like their chances to win the East this year, more so than I thought I would back in Spring Training.

 

 

They got another solid start tonight out of Brad Penny. He went 6 innings and allowed 2 earned runs. He was awful in his start against Baltimore but in his other 2 starts he's allowed 5 earned runs in 12 innings which, isn't awesome, but it should be good enough to win most of the time with the Sox offense. His overall ERA looks bad but it is more a product of the one bad start. They lead 7-3 in the bottom of the 7th. If the score holds Penny will be 2-0--not bad for a reclamation project.

By the way, today is Tito Francona's 50th birthday. Hopefully the Sox give the 2 time Series winner a doubleheader sweep as a present.

With an day off tomorrow, and since he hasn't pitched since Friday, Papelbon comes in to close out the game with a 7-3 lead.

I've got some concerns about the Red Sox offense ... Youkilis had a career year and I have a hard time thinking he'll repeat it, despite his hot start. Varitek is in steep decline, Ortiz and Lowell have age/health issues and now shortstop is a question mark.

By the way, today is Tito Francona's 50th birthday. Hopefully the Sox give the 2 time Series winner a doubleheader sweep as a present.

 

 

He's still very young. He's been around forever it seems. I thought he would be older than that.

I've got some concerns about the Red Sox offense ... Youkilis had a career year and I have a hard time thinking he'll repeat it, despite his hot start. Varitek is in steep decline, Ortiz and Lowell have age/health issues and now shortstop is a question mark.

 

Their offense should be okay. Ellsbury is really seeming to come into his own right now (I had a concern about him but he's starting to hit the ball the other way with authority). Papi has 5 straight hits to the opposite field--that's what he couldn't do last season with his bad wrist. Youkilis is really that good--wait and see. When he starts hitting the ball the other way he's very hard to pitch to. Lowell's bat speed is as good as its ever been, the only place the surgery seems to have affected him is his baserunning and he was never known for that anyway. I've watched about 8 of their games so far and Varitek seems to have much better bat speed. He may not hit for a great average but he has shown the ability to catch up to fastballs that he didn't have last season. He's in great shape and I expect him to hit 15-20 homers this season and keep the average around .240-.250--enough to keep him from being an automatic out. Also remember that the Sox didn't go crazy spending in the offseason and have the resources to add a big bat as the season goes along. Buchholz, Bowden and Lars Anderson give them attractive trade bait. Plus the Sox should get Smoltz back the first of June. With Beckett, Dice-K, Lester, Wakefield, Smoltz, Penny, Buchholz, Masterson, and Bowden it will be hard to match the Sox pitching depth. This may be the best all-around Sox team I've seen.

The Red Sox take game 1 of the Yankees series at home 5-4. Jason Bay hit a 2 run homer off of Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the 9th to tie it and Kevin Youkilis hit a walk off in the bottom of the 11th off of Marte for the Red Sox 8th straight win. Jon Lester started and went 6 innings allowing 2 earned runs while striking out 7 in his second strong start in a row. Papelbon and Ramon Ramirez pitched scoreless innings in the 10th and 11th to set up Youk's heroics. Ramirez, who has proven to be a great pickup gets the win in relief.

 

 

Bay with a HUGE hit to tie it. I wonder if Wireman still thinks that Bay/Manny trade was a horrible trade for the Red Sox?????

I looked back to the year 2000. The Red sox currently have 6 losses (I checked on April 23). At that date, in the past 9 seasons, they've only had 6 losses TWICE. What years you ask? 2004 and 2007, years they won the World Series. Coincidence? I think not

I looked back to the year 2000. The Red sox currently have 6 losses (I checked on April 23). At that date, in the past 9 seasons, they've only had 6 losses TWICE. What years you ask? 2004 and 2007, years they won the World Series. Coincidence? I think not

 

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