The Red Sox and Indians both made trades to improve their rotation, but that isn't something we will see tonight. Tonight we get Lackey vs. Josh Tomlin... very thrilling.
Tomlin has been the surprise of the Indians season going 11-4 with a 4.01 ERA, and is 4-1 with a 3.81 ERA over his last eight starts. Tomlin isn't an overpowering pitcher, but I guess on some level you have to give him respect with how well he has pitched this year.
The Indians as a team though have been struggling. They are just 2-8 over their last 10 games and have fallen 2 1/2 games behind the Tigers for first place in the AL Central. Even with their trades you have to wonder if this overachieving team may have finally leveled out.
Red Sox lead the majors with 586 total runs and have scored 15 over their last two games. As DP and I have stated several times this is the best offense we have ever seen. It is really hard for me to pick again them on any night, even with they have that shit head Lackey on the hill.
Lackey won his last four starts with a 2.52 ERA, so hopefully he has turned the corner. I still think he is letting up way too many hits and eventually that will come back to haunt him once again. Still, think the Red Sox win tonight though...
Red Sox win 8-6
Player of the Game: Ellsbury
Game starts at 7:10pm
Monday, August 1, 2011
Indians @ Red Sox Preview
Breaking News: Randy Moss Retires
Randy Moss has decided to retire, and I couldn't be happier. I didn't want to see him go to the Jets, and to be honest I just didn't want to see him on another team other then the Patriots. I know he left on terrible terms, but that year when him and Brady broke seemingly broke every record was incredible and I will always remember it.
We will always look at Moss and think what might have been if his head was screwed on right, but even with his stupid ways he is a Hall of Famer and one of the best WRs I have ever seen.
Good luck to you Randy.
Ryan Westmoreland Update
"The Providence Journal reports that Red Sox OF prospect Ryan Westmoreland could begin facing live pitching soon. “They know I’m ready, and I know I’m ready,” he said. “I’m physically and mentally ready — whether I hit the ball or not — to get in the batter’s box again. To see a pitcher throw a ball at me from 60 feet away is going to be pretty special.” As soon as the Red Sox staff gives him the go-ahead, based on his health and the way he’s handling batting practice, he’ll hit real pitches from a real pitcher for the first time since his surgery (CBS Sports)."
It will be shocking if Westmoreland every plays in a minor league game, let alone an MLB game, but these steps are impressive. He has basically had to learn how to walk, talk, and so on since the surgery. Now he is swinging a bat well enough that he will be able to go against live pitching. I really hope somehow this kid does pull off a miracle and makes it all the way back. What an incredible story it would be. You do have to remember he was the Sox #1 prospect not too long again, and although it is unlikely he will ever make it, it's great to hear these kinds of updates.
Red Sox Need To Fire Their Medical Staff
I have had just about enough of this Red Sox medical staff. With word coming out today that Buchholz will most likely miss the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his back, one has to wonder why the Red Sox staff didn't catch this almost 2 months ago.
When Wright had this same kind of injury it took two months for him to recover, that means if the Red Sox caught this in the beginning Buchholz would've easily been ready for the playoffs. I wish I could say this is the first Red Sox mistake, but they have been God awful these past few years.
They messed up Ellsbury last year. They have had problems with Pedroia. Only God knows what the hell goes on with Lowrie, but he has complained about them, and even Beckett had back problems last year that they never seemed to be able to get their hands around.
I am sick of this medical staff and I hope they fire all of them. They have had a ton of chances and it's time to get some much better doctors or whatever in here.
Shocking News: Brandon Marshall Has Mental Problems
Brandon Marshall says he was diagnosed earlier this year with borderline personality disorder, which has been known to stem from things such as unstable personal relationships, a negative self-image and a fear of failure. He made the decision to go public with the issue to raise awareness, and says he plans to eventually lobby Congress for funding to assist research efforts.
Yea, no shit Marshall. We kind of picked up on that from your time in Denver. Like remember that time you went out to a club with your buddies Javon Walker and Darrent Williams? Then for some reason Williams got shot.
Remember that time you beat up your girlfriend resulting in the police being called on 11 different occasions? Remember that time you got a DUI?
How about later when you beat up your fiancee? Or how about that time when your girl finally had enough and stabbed you.
But yea, I guess this can all be explained because you have a "borderline" personality disorder. How about you just admit you're a douchebag that puts himself in terrible situations, and that you're a terrible person. Go to hell Marshall I refuse to feel bad for you.
Why Not?
I know this is old, but why not watch Richard Simmons be props in Whose Line is it Anyways:
Around The NFL
Nnamdi Awesome-ugha is headed to Philly
Love it, love it, love it. It would have been cool to see him go to the Jets and have Revis and him, but we will have to take Samuel and him. He signed a deal worth $60 million over five years which isn't bad figuring he's the best cornerback in the league. Now the Eagles have a stupid secondary with Asante Samuel, Nnamdi and recently acquired Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Those are 3 Pro Bowl cornerbacks ladies and gentlemen.
Antonio Cromartie back to the Jets
Antonio Cromartie will sign a 4 year, 32 million dollar deal with the Jets. Not a bad deal figuring he's still pretty damned good and can play in return situations too.
Plaxico Burress to Jets
It was said to be between the Steelers and Giants, but Plax decided to spurn his former teams and sign with the convict laden New York Jets for 3 million. This is an alternative to Braylon Edwards, who is surely going to be on another team next year. I don't like Plax, but it will be interesting to see if he can still be an effective receiver in the league.
Cedric Benson is back with the Bengals
He's about the only one who is back. 3 million with 2 million incentives, a 1 year deal.
MLB Trades That Happened Over The Weekend
Texas Rangers add Mike Adams and Koji Uehara.
The Rangers have a lot of problems when it comes to their bullpen, so adding to of the best set up men certainly helps. Their combined stats are: 95 innings, 51 hits, 111 strikeouts, 17 walks. Also they control them for next year too.
Hunter Pence to Philadelphia Phillies
How do the Phllies constantly make awesome moves. They gave up some pretty good prospects but Pence fills a huge void in a what is a surprisingly bad Phillies line up. Pence will most likely take Raul Ibanez's spot out there, Ibanez is terrible in the field and is batting around .260. I like the deal.
Doug Fister and David Pauley to Detroit Tigers
Another move I'm in favor for, with Brad Penny being awful and the Tigers constantly having to call up some prospect to get rocked every 5th day, this should put a stop to the bleeding. Fister is 3-12, but remember he's on Seattle who is allergic to runs, he also has a 3.33 era and about 90 Ks. David Pauley should fit some of the bullpen void as well.
Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland Indians
I like this move for the Indians, a lot of people are saying that they gave up too much by involving top prospect Drew Pomeranz and Alex White, however, Ubaldo is 27, is coming off a 19 win season and flirts with 200 Ks a year. He could be an Ace for Cleveland who need a top of the line rotation guy. They have him for the next 3 years at a relatively cheap price. Like the aggressiveness by Cleveland.
Michael Bourn to Atlanta Braves
Good fit for the Braves who need an OF and need speed. They got both and didn't give up that much.
5 Red Sox, 3 White Sox
Hopefully with Bedard coming in this will be one of the last times we see Andrew Miller on the bump with Wake keeping his rotation spot.
It's not that Wake is even a better option than Miller, it's just Wake has the potential to go over 5.2 innings. Last night Miller went 5.2 innings, struck out 8 and gave up 10 hits.
Aceves pitched one inning, giving up a walk, to register the win with now a record of 1000-1. Daniel Bard went an 1.1, and Jonathan Papelbon closed her out for his 24th save of the year.
The offense came threw again in the 6th havng us get the 4-3 lead off of reliever Jesse Crain. Adrian, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Marco Scutaro all had multi hit games.
Tonight the Sox are going to welcome Ubaldo Jiminez in his debut.
Let's Get Bedarded in Here
After the Rich Harden deal fell apart due to concerns over his health, the Sox went after another Canadian born pitcher. As part of a three team deal, they acquired Erik Bedard. They dealt C Tim Federowicz, RHP Juan Rodriguez and RHP Stephen Fife to the Dodgers in exchange for minor leaguers OF Trayvon Robinson and OF Chih-Hsien Chiang. The Sox then sent Robinson and Chiang to Seattle for Bedard. Righty Josh Fields was packaged along with Bedard.
Fields was drafted by Seattle with the 20th overall pick of the 2008 draft. He's a 25 year old reliever just promoted from AA to AAA Tacoma.
Bedard is obviously the main event of the deal. The Sox need pitching to fill out their rotation. Buchholz was just placed on the 60 Day DL and his recovery has hit some roadblocks.
Bedard's been plagued by injury problems the past few years. He hasn't tossed a full season of work since 2007. He hasn't even thrown 100+ innings since 2007. He missed the entire 2010 season. And he was sidelines for a month with a sprained left knee. He made his return to Seattle's rotation Friday night, struggling through 1.1 innings and allowing 5 runs.
However, when healthy, he is a legitimate frontline starter. On the season, he has a 4-7 record (remember, this is Seattle, who have saddled Felix Hernandez with a 9-9 record) and a 3.45 ERA. But those numbers don't tell the whole story. He struggled in April, starting the season 0-4 with a 7.71 ERA. Since April 27th, he's gone 4-3 with a 2.34 ERA. That ERA includes his 1.1 inning, 5 run debacle on Friday.
Nine of his last 11 starts have been Quality Starts.
This is a good move. Bedard may end of on the DL by early September, but if he doesn't... Well, he's not just an upgrade over Andrew Miller. He solidifies the top of the Red Sox rotation.
His first start is slated to be Friday night against the Yankees. Welcome to Boston, Mr. Bedard.
-The Commodore
Breaking News: Clay Buchholz Out With Stress Fracture In Back
Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz has a stress fracture in his lower back and will most likely miss the rest of the season, according to a report in Comcast Sports New England.
I knew it, so this also spotlights the Bedard trade. So this means come playoff time we are going to need to go Beckett, Lester, then Bedard/ Lackey... I guess I'm comfortable enough with that. Bedard is pretty good and Lackey could (probably not) turn it around.
There is always a chance that the Sox make an August waiver move too, but I don't see that really happening, especially if our offense keeps carrying us the way it has.