The Sox have been playing well lately, but these trips to Tropicana don't usually go very well. Tampa Bay has won 8 of 12 meetings between the teams this season, including 5 of 6 at Tropicana Field. The good news is the Sox have their most consistent pitcher on the hill tonight in Jon Lester.
Lester doesn't have a decision in 5 of his last 6 starts. After recording a victory against Toronto on Aug. 20, he allowed 3 runs in 6 2/3 innings of a 6-3 win over the White Sox on Tuesday. Lester is 4-2 with a 4.66 ERA against the Rays, but he's 0-2 with a 8.22 ERA in 3 starts this season, with Boston losing all of them. Hopefully he will have better luck tonight, but the key will be keeping guys from getting free walks to first base.
They Rays are countering with Andy Sonnanstine, who has been nothing short of horrible this season going 6-7 with a 6.61 ERA.
Game starts at 07:08pm on NESN.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Red Sox @ Rays Preview
No Injury Concerns For Brady
If you are a Patriots fan this news should make your day...
"Tom Brady's throwing shoulder seems just fine. The New England Patriots quarterback threw passes of up to 25 yards at practice Tuesday four days after suffering a sore shoulder when he was tackled in a game against the Washington Redskins. He threw hard passes from a shorter distance. Coach Bill Belichick didn't say if Brady would play against the New York Giants on Thursday night in the final exhibition game for both teams (Sportsline)."
I still bet he sits out the final preseason game. The offense seemed to be in sync before Brady had to leave the game, so I don't see any reason to risk injury. I bet Belichick will still be a dick and put Brady on the injury report for every game this year....so be ready for that.
A Good Joke
It was the stir of the town when an 80-year-old man married a 20-year-old girl. After a year she went into the hospital to give birth. The nurse came out to congratulate the fellow. "This is amazing. How do you do it at your age?"
He answered, "You've got to keep that old motor running."
The following year she gave birth again. The same nurse said, "You really are amazing. How do you do it?"
He again said, "You've got to keep the old motor running."
The same thing happened the next year. The nurse said, "You must be quite a man."
He responded, "You've got to keep that old motor running."
The nurse then said, "Well, you had better change the oil, this one's black."
Kyle Orton Has Dislocation Of The Knuckle
"The Denver Post reports that Broncos QB Kyle Orton suffered an open dislocation of the knuckle on his right index finger during the team's preseason game vs. the Bears and is considered questionable for the start of the regular season at Cincinnati. He has been ruled out for the preseason finale against Arizona. If Orton can't face the Bengals, rookie Tom Brandstater would start in his place as backup Chris Simms is still rehabbing a high-ankle sprain suffered earlier this preseason (Sportsline)."
Orton has has a terrible start to his career in Denver. He isn't playing well and now they aren't sure if he is going to be able to start the season. Not to mention he has not been able to throw a pass to Marshall yet, and you can just tell this is going to be a long season for Denver fans. If I was them I would get Marshall back on the field, and try to get his value up again, then trade him, because when they traded Cutler they started the rebuilding process anyways...
Top 25 Under 25: #9 Matt Ryan
Born: May 17, 1985
Breaking the top 10 on our list, former ACC player of the year, Matt Ryan. Ryan was the third overall pick by the Falcons in last year’s draft. After winning the starting job in the pre season, Ryan made his debut in style, hooking up with receiver Michael Jenkins for a 62-yard touchdown pass on the first throw of his career. What began as a good start quickly transpired to a solid season. Although Matty Ice didn’t have dazzling numbers last season (16 Touchdowns 11 interceptions) he was able to start all 16 games and lead the Falcons to the playoffs for the first time since 2004. In addition to the team’s new found success, Ryan earned AP rookie of the year honors over Raven’s quarterback Joe Flacco.
Ryan’s success as a rookie was just the beginning of what promises to be an outstanding career. The Falcons are a shoe-in to win the NFC south, with a potent offensive attack led by Ryan, receiver Roddy White, and running Michael “the burner” Turner.
Plane Lands On 495 In Mansfield MA
"A federal aviation spokesman says a small plane reported engine trouble shortly before making an emergency landing on an Interstate highway southwest of Boston. SKYFOX is over the scene. Traffic is backed up for several miles. Massachusetts State Police say there were no reports of injuries (myfoxBoston)."
Luckily is seems like no one was hurt, which is amazing since that is a very busy road. If you want to see the video click on that MyFoxBoston link above...
Rockies Get Jose Contreras
"The Colorado Rockies acquired right-hander Jose Contreras from the Chicago White Sox on Monday night for cash and minor leaguer Brandon Hynick (Sportsline)."
This is an interesting deal. Contreras at times is excellent, but he is way to inconsistent, but since he is going to the NL (aka the minor leagues) he might do well. The Rockies didn't really give up anything and they needed another arm, so I like this deal for them...
Tejada Tipping Pitches?
"A report in the New York Times says that series of events on the field led several players to believe Tejada had been helping friends on opposing teams by tipping off pitches and by allowing balls they hit to get past him occasionally during games with lopsided scores (Sportsline)."
To me this is worse then any steroid allegation. This is direct cheating to the game. I can't pass judgement yet, because I don't have any proof to back it up other then this New York Times article. Tejada denies it...
"I've never tipped pitches," Tejada said. "I love this game and that's not the way I play it. I'm a proud player. I would never do such a thing."
I really hope he is telling the trust, but I have to admit I wonder at times. Similar allegations were made at A-Rod, so maybe this happens more then we think. Once again, I really hope this is all false...
Pacman Signs One Year Deal With CFL Team
Cornerback Adam Jones, released by the Dallas Cowboys in February, has agreed to a one-year deal with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL, according to a SI.com report.
"It'll be a good experience for me to get back in game shape and compete and play football, which I like to do," Jones said, according to SI.com. "I'm real happy for the opportunity that's been given to me. Of course it's disappointing to me to not be playing in the NFL. But things happen and you have to adjust."ESPN
I hate Pacman, but if he can keep his nose clean and play well in the CFL, he could wind up in the NFL some day. He is only 25 years old, he's extremely athletic, he's just a shithead. If you remember Ricky Williams did this before rejoining the Dolphins, so anything is possible.
Favre Sinks To New Low
Favre had a solid game last night, but like everything else he had to go and ruin it. Before the game reports were coming out that said Favre had a cracked ribbed. Where were these reports coming from? Brett Favre. The Vikings know nothing about this, the trainers know nothing about this, but Favre decides to try to build up sympathy, since he is hated my his team, and most fans now. This is really getting sad, but you can't feel bad, because he brings this all on himself...
Marquis Daniels Finally Signs
The Boston Herald reports Marquis Daniels has agreed to sign for the $1.99 biannual exception with the Celtics. Both sides had tried to find a third team to include in a sign-and-trade, but they couldn't find one.
According to the newspaper, Dallas had interest in Daniels and the Pacers wanted to re-sign him. ESPN
Good, I'm really sick of having to answer questions about him. He is a hell of an addition to this Boston Celtics team and his versatility is even more important. He can come off the bench for the 1-3 positions and have some solid scoring and defense. He may be the single most important player on the Celtics roster, because he (along with Sheed) control the minutes of the big three.
Ricky Rubio To Barcelona
Ricky Rubio won't be coming to the NBA until 2011 at the earliest, sources told ESPN.com Monday.
Rubio and the Minnesota Timberwolves were informed late Monday night in Spain that Rubio's former club, DKV Joventut, had agreed to trade his rights to FC Barcelona.
Rubio will be able to get out of his Barcelona contract in the summer of 2011, when the fifth pick of last June's draft will be free to join Minnesota. ESPN
This sucks for the Timberwolves who really thought they were getting their whole back court when they took Johnny Flynn and Ricky Rubio back to back, but it now looks as if Rubio will not be eligable to play for Minnesota until 2011. Rubio didn't want to go to Sota, and they knew it, so I'm not gonna make Rubio the bad guy here, when this can all be credited to Minnesota's stupidity.
Umenyiora Skips Practice
"Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora missed practice Monday without giving Giants coach Tom Coughlin an explanation. Umenyiora, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, attended meetings in the morning at the team's headquarters. However, he left unexpectedly without talking to Coughlin and didn't return for the workout. A league source confirmed a Newark Star-Ledger report to ESPN.com's Matt Mosley that Umenyiora skipped practice after getting into a dispute with new defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan. Sheridan, the former linebackers coach who replaced Steve Spagnuolo as coordinator, reportedly criticized Umenyiora for making a mistake in Saturday's game against the Jets.
Umenyiora surfaced later in the evening and issued a statement.
"I made a mistake by leaving the facility today," the statement said. "I was wrong. I came in here this afternoon and met with coach Coughlin, coach Sheridan and coach [Mike] Waufle and apologized and explained why I left the building; that will remain between us. I have no problem with our defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan or any of our coaches. That's the end of it, as far as I am concerned (ESPN)."
This is really the last thing the Giants needed. They have had so many distractions over the last year, and just when it looked like it all might quiet down this happens. Still, this doesn't seem like it will be a long term problem. Umenyiora already apologized, and it seems like he just needed to clear his head. I expect him to be fined, and maybe not start week 1 (for a series or two), but in the end this will all mean very little...
Dodgers Make Some Moves
The Dodgers acquired slugger Jim Thome from the White Sox and right-hander Jon Garland from the Diamondbacks on Monday after both players cleared waivers.
"I think it's made us stronger," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said after a 5-3 loss to the Diamondbacks. "We have a threat off the bench now, and in Garland we certainly have someone who knows how to pitch." ESPN
The Dodgers made some necessary moves in order to pull away from the Giants and the Rockies who have both been on fire of late. Jon Garland is nothing special, but you know what you will get from him (6-7 innings, 4er) and it looks like Thome will be coming off the bench because he really can't play first anymore. Either way it brings some depth to the pitching rotation and one of the greatest sluggers of this era coming off the bench.
Penny to Giants
The San Francisco Giants signed Brad Penny, and plan to start him Wednesday night. The Giants are tied with the Rockies for the NL Wild Card lead. And if John Smoltz's rebirth in the NL is any indication, Penny should do well in the Senior/Lesser Circuit.
-The Commodore