Red Sox @ Marlins Preview

Beckett will be getting his first start against this former team, but I really don't give a shit abotu that. What I do care about is the Red Sox are sliding again, and are 2 games under .500. Beckett, 2-2 with a 2.21 ERA in his last five starts, will next get to face a Miami team that's been outscored 43-10 during an 0-6 start to its homestand.

Going against Beckett is Josh Johnson. Johnson had a tough start to the year, but is 3-1 with a 2.95 ERA over his last six start. What is really going to be interesting is to see what kind of lineup the Red Sox throw out there. Youk hasn't been playing well, so I think I would site him play Middlebooks at 3rd, put Ortiz at 1st and A-Gon in the RF. They need a good lineup out there, because they haven't been hitting real well.

I don't have a good feeling about this game. The Sox are playing like shit, and I just don't trust Beckett.

Marlins win 7-3
Player of the Game: Johnson
Game starts at 7:10pm

Orioles @ Red Sox Preview

It's happening again. The Red Sox are sliding. This is exactly what Rob was talking about, and exactly what they can't afford to do. These nice little winning streaks they go on are nice, but it doesn't end up meaning anything if they end up sliding on a losing streak a couple weeks later.

Baltimore has already proven they can handle Buchholz, who has allowed 10 runs in nine innings over two starts against Baltimore this year. He has been pitching between (2 ERs over last two starts 15 innings), so hopefully he is turning the corner. It would be huge for this team if he has.

Brian Matusz is pitching for the Orioles, and he has actually been pretty good against the Red Sox in his career with a 3-1 record and a 3.58 ERA. Matusz has a really tough start to the year, but has seemed to have found the stuff that made him such a prized prospect. He has not let up more then 3 runs in any of his last 5 starts, including a 6 1/3 1 ER 9 Ks outing against the Red Sox.

I don't like this matchup. I don't like the way the SOx are playing, and I don't like they finding their groove against a lefty who is pitching very well.

Orioles win 7-4
Player of the Game: Hardy
Game starts at 7:10pm

Carl Crawford Back By End Of Month?

I was shocked listening to Buster Olney on WEEI today. He is a guy I have a lot of respect for, and when he says something it's not like he is pulling it out of his ass, so when he said...

"I think Crawford is making a lot of progress," Olney said. "In fact, based on what I heard today, I think there's a good chance that he's going to be back by the end of the month. He's right on the cusp of really ramping up his throwing program, he's hitting, he's doing all the other stuff. And let's face it, at some point, if the Red Sox figure that he's throwing well enough just to even throw to a cutoff man, you go with it. Because he's playing in Fenway, there's not a lot required, you don't necessarily have to have him throwing at full speed. We've seen a lot of teams through the years will hide a guy with an arm issue out in left field. So, if they get to the point I think with Carl where they're even 75 percent of what he usually does, I think they'll probably be in a position where they can tell him, 'Hey, we'll put you in the lineup because you're hitting, you're running and you're doing all the other things that we hope you can do for us."

That's great news that he could be back soon, yet somehow it doesn't make me feel any better. If his elbow is still an issue then he shouldn't comeback. Actually I disagree with Olney (and the Red Sox if they are thinking the same). The Red Sox should wait till he is 100%. He is here for a long time, and we have had to deal with all these nagging injuries. We don't need Crawford from last year back, we need Crawford from Tampa back. The best shot at getting that Crawford back is getting him back 100%.

2 Orioles, 1 Red Sox

It was fun being over .500, but now we are right back there after a 2-1 loss.

You can't knock Josh Beckett's game, he had 8 innings, lets up 5 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk and 5 Ks with only 92 pitches. That's everything you would want from this scumbag. His ERA has steadily dropped and is just a tick over 4 and is probably the Sox best pitcher. With Lester being inconsistent, Buchholz being awful, Doubront doing his damn thing, and Ace K coming back Saturday, we need him to put in starts like this.

I hate the Adrian in the outfield thing. He gets pinch run for way too early in the game, last night in the 7th and I just hate getting rid of the best bat early. It came back to bite us in the ass in the 8th when his replacement, Scotty Pods came up with 2 people on base and failed to drive in runs.

We need to really figure out the Youkilis situation because as much as he's a good player, he may be hurting us more than helping us.

Orioles @ Red Sox Preview

The Orioles look to win their seventh straight game at Fenway Park for the first time in their history Wednesday night when they go up against Josh Beckett, after beating them last night in the 10th inning. Beckett is looking to bounce back after giving up a shit load of hits last night out. I expect he does bounce back as it is rare for him to go long stretches without a good outing, but that is basically nothing more than a guess on my part. Beckett scares me a lot now, he doesn't throw as hard, so if he isn't paint the corners and locating well he can get lit up quick.

Going against Beckett is Wei-Yin Chen. Wei-Yin Chen (4-2, 3.75) was knocked around for five runs and five hits in the first inning against the Rays on Friday. He ended up calming down and doing pretty well after that, but he has an ERA of 7.31 ERA in his last 3 starts. The Sox were able to put 4 runs up against him in 5 innings last time they faced him. I expect the Sox to be able to score 4-5 runs off this starter, so the question is really what Beckett we get tonight. Sorry, I just don't trust him right now.

Orioles win 7-6
Player of the Game: JJ Hardy
Game starts at 7:10 pm

Orioles @ Red Sox Preview

The Red Sox are 3 games out of first place and just 2 games behind the Orioles, who have lost 10 of their last 13 games. I think he all knew this would happen to Baltimore. They were overachieving but I did think their pitching would be their downfall, but lately it's been their hitting. The Orioles have scored 20 runs the last eight games while hitting .175 with runners in scoring position. That's kind of shocking with the lineup they have.

Tonight Lester is on the hill. He has pissed me off for the most part this year. I don't know what he will do tonight. He is 14-0 with 2.47 ERA against Baltimore in his career. Yet, he is 1-1 8.10 ERA in his last 3 starts, so like I said I don't know what he is going to do.

Jason Hammel is pitching for the Orioles he is 6-2 with a 3.06 ERA. He has been a nice surprise average almost a K an inning. He is 1-2 with a 5.34 ERA against the Red Sox in his career and he got beat up a bit last time out giving up four homers in 6 2/3 innings of a 4-1 loss to the Blue Jays on Wednesday.

Red Sox are the better team.

Red Sox win 7-5
Player of the Game: Ortiz
Game starts 7:10pm

Red Sox Get Pedroia Back Today

The plan is for Dustin Pedroia to return to the Red Sox' lineup Tuesday in the team's series-opener against the Orioles. Pedroia has been out since May 28th with a slight tear in his right thumb. He was struggling before the injury, which was something that was reaggravated. I think if he shows signs that he is still hurt the Red Sox should sit him. I would rather him miss a month, then get 75% of Pedroia the rest of the year.

Everyone will be keeping an eye on him, but hopefully this is just something that needed a couple days off and he can get back on track.

Reviewing The Sox Picks

The Sox had three of the first 37 picks in the first round and sandwich round and used them to select shortstop Deven Marrero No. 24 from Arizona State, lefthander Brian Johnson from the University of Florida at No. 31 and righty Pat Light from Monmouth University at No. 37.

Marrero profiles as a superb defender, but there are questions about his bat after his average plummeted from .397 as a freshman to .315 as a sophomore and .284 this season. CSNN

This is fine and dandy and my boy Kieth Law ranked him 13th overall, so having him at 24 is a relative steal, however, I see this as another defensive shortstop than struggles offensively. We already have that in Jose Inglesias, so the only hope that I'm hearing is that they catch magic again because the last ASU shortstop they drafted turned into Dustin Pedroia.

As for the pitchers:

Brian Johnson: Johnson is an athletic left-handed pitcher from the University of Florida who emerged as one of the top two-way players in the nation. In addition to pitching, he was a power-hitting first-base prospect who could have been drafted on that side of the ball as well. The 6-foot-3 21-year-old went 8-4 last season with a 3.56 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 86 innings. Johnson also pitched for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in the Cape Cod League last summer, striking out 19 batters and walking four in 14.2 innings to go along with a 4.30 ERA.

Featuring an 88-92 m.p.h. fastball and a solid four-pitch mix, he is considered a potential back of the rotation starter and a safer pick. Johnson also throws a slider, curveball and changeup, all of which he can throw for strikes and have potential to be quality pitches. ESPN

Nothing special here either.

37th overall: Pat Light, SP, Monmouth University

Light is a big right-handed pitcher who dominated competition this season with Monmouth University to the tune of a 2.40 ERA and 102 strikeouts over 101.1 innings. Attending high school in New Jersey, he’s one of the better prospects to come out of the Northeast this year.

Light’s best pitch is his fastball, which sits around 92-93 m.p.h. and hits up to 96. He was able to throw a ton of strikes with the pitch and only walked 16 batters this season. The fastball shows solid movement and Light is able to throw it on a downward plane consistently.

Again nothing that really sticks out to me. I mean Matt Light was good Patriot and his name sounds like that.

I mean these guys are years away, but none of these guys are sexy. I'm pretty sure Ben Cherington knows more than me. But I hate all these guys.

Red Sox @ Blue Jays Preview

Red Sox lost last game, no problem it happens and they have been playing real well. The key is what Rob talks about often and that is not a streak. The Sox have a terrible problem where they play well for awhile, only to streak to the bottom again.

Not losing two in a row is going to be tough because the Sox have Clay Buchholz is on the mound. Buchholz (4-2, 7.19 ERA) allowed two runs and struck out a season-high six in seven innings Sunday, and that was against the Rays, so on paper there would be reason to think he is improving. I want to caution you here though. The Rays have been playing without some of their best hitters (Longoria, ect) and thus really aren't a great hitting team. If Buchholz pitches well tonight I will feel a lot better. If history has it's say he could have a good chance he is 7-3 with a 2.58 ERA in 11 starts against the Jays in his career (4-0 with a 1.32 ERA in his last five).

Going against Buchholz is Henderson Alvarez Alvarez is 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA in his last three starts overall, after posting an 0.82 ERA while winning his previous three outings. He is a good young talent, but one again is a guy who hasn't been playing well and the Sox should be able to take advantage of.

Wish I could pick the Red Sox tonight, but I just don't trust Clay yet, and the Jays are a team that can make things tough for him in a hurry, especially with the long ball.

Jays win 9-7
Player fo the Game: Colby Rasmus
Game starts at 7:07pm

Red Sox Actively Shopping Youk

Reports today are saying that the Red Sox have told MLB teams that they were going to trade Youk, and it seems like it's an ASAP type of scenario. Youk has hit .313 with a .903 OPS in nine games since returning from the disabled list, so he seems to be proving that he is healthy. Still he has a big contract that the Red Sox might have to eat some of if they want to get anything in return. There is at least some interest as the Phillies, Reds, Diamondbacks and possibly the Giants all seem to be fits and the Rangers, Dodgers and White Sox have all sent scouts to see him play.

I expect that he is traded in the next 2-3 weeks, as Middlebrooks I think has proved he is big league ready and the Red Sox really don't want to have to keep playing Gonzo in the OF.

Another Strong Start For Dice-K

Daisuke Matsuzaka, back in the Pawtucket rotation after receiving a cortisone injection a little more than a week ago, had his second straight outing in which he gave up almost nothing. After allowing just one hit in 5 shutout innings on Saturday, Dice-K allowed just two hits in 5 1/3 innings yesterday. He allowed just one run (HR), struck out four and walked none. In his last two starts, Matsuzaka has allowed one run in 10 1/3 innings (0.87 ERA), with opponents hitting .091 against him. In 10 1/3 innings, he's struck out six and walked one.

My guess is that if Buchholz isn't the worst pitcher on the planet that the spot for Dice-K will be Bard's. Bard can only pitch so many inning this year, and we all know he is too valuable to just shut down, so I expect him to be sent to the bullpen at some point. When he does I think that's where Dice-K slides in. If Buchholz is terrible then maybe he would be sent down, and Dice-K could go there and Cook could eventually take Bard's spot, but I think option 1 is more likely.

Tigers 7 Red Sox 3

Red Sox had a chance in this game early on with Scherzer being wild, but the thing about Scherzer is that he can turn it on pretty quick. Scherzer pitched into the seventh inning, Young hit a home run and the Tigers beat the Boston Red Sox 7-3 on Thursday night to avoid a four-game series sweep.

The Tigers are a good team, it's would be tough to take 4 straight games from them. Saying that, there are still some alarming things going on with the Red Sox. We can all sit back and ignore Beckett's velocity drop, but it's there, and it leaves him very open to getting rocked. He is throwing 88-92 MPH, that's not really good when you pitched 93-95 just a year ago. It's not like he is old, so I don't know what the deal is.

Beckett went 7 innings allowing a season high 10 hits 4 runs with 1 K. That's not a terrible line, but this used to be a guy that would K a lot of hitters and that's just not the case. Maybe he is becoming more of a "pitcher", but just like Bard I find this worrisome.

In the end, the Sox have been winning a lot lately, they are still just 3 games back for the AL East and just need to make sure they don't go on one of those epic losing streaks.

Tigers @ Red Sox Preview

Red Sox go for the sweep of the Tigers today as Beckett faces Max Scherzer. Since the whole ugly incident where Beckett got booed off of Fenway he's gone has gone 2-0 with a 1.25 ERA. He's pitched at least seven innings in each of those three outings. There is a part of me that worries if Beckett will just fall off again, but he has been pitching well so it's hard to criticize.

You think Beckett is tough to figure out try Max Scherzer. He could either get lit up for 5 runs over 3 innings, or pitch 7 innings with 15 Ks. He hasn't been good in his short career against the Sox as he is 0-2 with an 11.81 ERA (his highest against any opponent) in 4 starts.

David Ortiz, 7 for 12 with 2 homers 3 doubles and 5 RBIs in the series, is 6 for 8 with 2 homers off Scherzer. Adrian Gonzalez, who has two hits in 11 at-bats against Scherzer, is batting .300 (12 for 40) during a team-best 10-game hitting streak. Those two guys should be enough to get to Scherzer.

Red Sox win 8-4
Player of the Game: Ortiz
Game starts at 7:10pm

Ortiz Says No To HR Derby

David Ortiz told WEEI.com Wednesday that he will not participate in the Home Run Derby at this year's All-Star Game if asked.

"No, man. Last year was it for me," Ortiz said. "I can be the captain if they want me again, but I won't participate. I'll just be cheering for the guys (WEEI)."

Ortiz basically went all Sergeant Murtaugh "I'm too old for this shit", and thank God. I don't want any Red Sox players in this. Gonzo hasn't been the same since, and with everyone on the Red Sox doing their best Mr. Glass impressions I don't even want anyone from the Red Sox in the All-Star game. Honestly, if you're a Red Sox fan don't vote Red Sox into it. Let them rest in a padded room.

Tigers @ Red Sox Preview

I am shocked that the Red Sox won last night. I really am, I thought they had no shot. Good for them, and good for Bobby V who I think has done a terrific job lately with so many guys in and out of the lineup and the management of that bullpen.

Tonight we get Lester vs Smyly. I am really getting sick of trying to figure out Lester. We just never know what we are going to get from him. It seems like he brings his stuff everytime out, but if one thing goes wrong (bad call/error) he gets pissed and that's the end of any chance of him pitching well. That's terrible for a guy who should be the leader of this staff. Lester is 3-4 with a 4.72 ERA and is coming off a disastrous outing, giving up three homers in four innings in a 7-4 loss to Tampa Bay. Lester gave up all 7 runs in that game. Lester is 0-2 with a 4.62 ERA in four career starts versus the Tigers, but was good against them during opening day letting up just 1 run over 7 innings.

Drew Smyly has been one of the most surprising pitchers in the AL this year. He is 2-1 with a 3.14 ERA, but teams may be starting to figure him out. He has let up 4 runs in each of his last 4 starts without ever making it to the 6th inning.

This game is a tough one to pick. Like I said I never know what we are going to get from Lester, and the Red Sox usually have some trouble against lefties. It makes me even more concerned that they haven't even faced this kid yet. Still, I got to pick the Red Sox.

Red Sox win 7-4
Player of the Game: Aviles
Game starts at 7:10pm

Phillies Lose Halladay For 6-8 Weeks

"Philadelphia Phillies ace Roy Halladay is expected to miss six to eight weeks because of a right latissimus dorsi strain, the latest major setback for the five-time NL East champions. Halladay was put on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, two days after he was hit hard and pulled from a start in St. Louis after just two innings because of shoulder soreness (ESPN)."

Realy bad news for a team that relies to heavily on their rotation, because they can't hit the ball. Halladay has been starting to show his age a bit this year with a 4-5 record and a 3.98 ERA in 11 starts. This injury comes with the Phillies at 26-24 and tied with Atlanta for last in the division, four games behind Washington. With Howard and Utley still out I just don't see the Phillies being able to stay in the race. Actually, I would go as far as to say the Phillies should start looking into trading some of their rotation and begin the rebuilding process.

Tigers @ Red Sox Preview

The Red Sox always seem to get to the point of being about to get over .500 line and then lose. Tonight, most likely will be no different. Not only do the Red Sox have to go against the best pitcher in all of baseball, but they will most likely be doing so without the help of Dustin Pedroia, who jammed his thumb yesterday.

Bard is on the hill for the Red Sox. His main problem is his control, he had 4 walks last game, and for the season has more walks (29) then strikeouts (28). The other alarming thing with Bard is his dramatic drop in velocity. When Bard was in the bullpen he could pitch anywhere from 97-100, now he pitches more like 90-92. That is a pretty big drop. You expect some of it, because he needs to spread his stuff over more innings, but that is much more than I thought it would be.

I wish I could say today is the day the Red Sox finally make it over the .500 mark, but there are just too many thing going against them tonight, and I don't see this game being very close.

Tigers win 7-1
Player of the Game: Verlander
Game starts at 7:10pm

Jered Weaver Injures Back

Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver was unable to record an out on Monday against the Yankees, as he was pulled from the game after three batters with what has been diagnosed as a lower-back injury.

Weaver tried to stay in the game throwing a warmup pitch only to wince in pain and head for the dugout. He said after the geame it felt like someone stabbed him in the back. It is really tough to say how long Weaver will be out. It could be something simple like a nerve just got a little pitched, to something much more serious like Buchholz had last year.

This comes at a really bad time for the Angels. They are riding a 7 game winning streak and are finally back to .500. They are going to have a tough time getting back in the AL West race, but could still make a Wild Card run. Rumors is if Weaver has to go to the DL Garrett Richards could be called up, but he has over a 6.00 ERA this month, so I don't know how strong of an option that is. I guess if it's something long term they could try to jump into the Oswalt race.

Dodgers Make Offer To Roy Oswalt

Rumors are going around that the Dodgers have made an offer to Roy Oswalt, but it is also being reported that the two sides are not close. From everything I have read it sounds like it is just a matter of time before the Rangers sign him. The Dodgers, Red Sox, Orioles, and Phillies are said to all be in the running, but from the start we have heard the Phillies and Rangers were the most likely. I see no chance the Red Sox will be in this. They already made him an offer during the offseason and he didn't jump on it, plus they really don't have a spot for him at this time, unless they change course and send Bard back to the bullpen.

Oswalt is rumored to be making his decision within the next week or so.

Rays @ Red Sox Preview

Red Sox did what they needed to do against the Orioles winning 2 out of 3 and now are just 5 1/2 games out of first in the AL East. Winning games in your division is huge right now, when you are trying to dig yourself out of the cellar. The Sox have a good chance to do that with this 3 game series against the Rays. Looks like the Red Sox have a pretty good chance at doing so with Lester on the mound and a 3-1 record against the Rays at Fenway.

Boston has outscored Tampa Bay 36-14 in the wins, and David Ortiz is batting .455 with a home run, four doubles and eight RBIs in the season series. Lester is trying to win his third straight start. He wasn't that great against the Phillies, but pitched a CG the game before. I really think Lester has turned the corner, and this is a lineup that isn't that great and I am hoping to see a gem tonight.

Going against Lester is youngster Alex Cobb. Cobb is actually from Boston, so this will be a homecoming for him. Cobb took the rotation spot of the injured Jeff Niemann on Saturday, and the right-hander allowed two runs and struck out six in seven innings of a 5-2 win over Atlanta in his season debut. Like all Rays pitchers he has a ton of talent, but the Red Sox still should be able to take care of this guy.

Red Sox win 5-2
Player of the Game: Lester
Game starts at 7:10pm