Trail Of Tears

The Boston Red Sox are more beat-up than any team I have EVER seen. They are totally being bamboozled by the injury bug, yet they are still in it. It truly is unbelievable. They have made a huge run to get within 1 1/2 games of the Yanks, and they have passed the Rays. That being said, the injuries continue to pile up. Here's how it looks right now:

July 1, Manny Delcarmen was put on the disabled list with a right forearm strain. Also, Jason Varitek is expected to miss significant time with a broken foot/leg. It has been reported that he will miss up to 6 weeks, and thus the reason why the Sox traded for Kevin Cash.

June 29, Victor Martinez was put on the dl with a broken thumb.

June 26, Dustin Pedroia will miss somewhere around 6 weeks with a broken foot.

June 25, Mike Lowell was placed on the dl because he serves no purpose on this team.

May 29, Jacoby Ellsbury was placed on the dl for a 2nd time with a rib injury. Pansy!

May 19, Josh Beckett placed on dl because he was not 'right.' Hopefully he will be back shortly after the All-Star break.

Dice K and Mike Cameron have also missed significant time this year due to injury. They are both back, which helps, but this team is far from complete. It will be interesting to see how good this team can be once they are all together. I imagine August and September will be good months for the Sox.

Red Sox Cannot Hit, But We Knew That

We all knew going in that the Sox could not hit the baseball. Unfortunately, Red Sox management thought that Big Papi would find his stroke, and Victor Martinez would turn into a 30 HR guy...something he has never done. I still believe that Martinez can hit 30 in Fenway, but my belief in Ortiz is fading rapidly. For some reason, Boston management thought that they could lose their best power hitter in Jason Bay, place one of their most productive hitters over the last 3 years (Mike Lowell) on the bench, rely on an aging David Ortiz, and somehow come out with a decent offensive team. The Red Sox front office guessed wrong on more or less everything bats related, and now it looks like the Sox are in a hell of a mess for the rest of the season.

With the entire offense falling on the shoulders of Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis and the aforementioned Martinez, we see that the squad lacks power bats. The Sox management will argue until the end of time that JD Drew is a power bat, but we have all seen what he does. He compiles his numbers extremely quietly, and rarely does hit bat seem to impact a game. That leaves us with only three guys that can drive this offense - Peety, Youk, and VMart.

This is a pretty sad scenario when comparing the Beantown lineup with other squads in the AL. The Yanks have Arod, Granderson, Jeter, Teixera, Cano, and on-and-on we can go. The Rays have Longoria, Upton, Crawford, Pena, and even Zobrist packs more punch than most on our side. The Angels are deep as always, and the White Sox and Twins have multiple players that will put up 30 HRs. The Red Sox, in an offensive league, chose to forego bats this season.

That is a strange decision, huh?

Give Wakefield The Ball...Until The Playoffs

Tim Wakefield wants to be a starter for the Red Sox for the upcoming season. I'll tell you what Tim, you can have the ball from April until September, and then sit out the rest of the season with a back injury. I think that is a good trade-off. Wakefield is one hell-of-a pitcher during the summer months. Unfortunately, that always seems to take a toll on him.

This is from Tim today in the Herald: "I did make the All-Star team last year. It seems every year, and I don’t know why, my name gets brought up like this when I don’t feel I need to prove myself every day. I don’t know where the rumors are coming from, but I try not to pay attention. I know my role and I know what my approach is going to be when I get to spring training: be a starter and help us win the World Series." I think Tim means to say, "help us win the AL East, because I don't pitch in October."

Timmy, for our sake please don't speak out like this. The Red Sox have been damn good to you over the years. Allowing you to start, relieve, close, and sit out the playoffs. Many teams would get rid of you for not playing in the postseason, but the Sox have loyalty to you. Just shut up, and pitch for us for 5 months.

Red Sox Should Sign Placido Polanco

Some guys just have 'it'. This guy certainly has it. If the Red Sox need a replacement for Dustin Pedroia at 2nd base, there is no better option than former all-star, Placido Polanco. Polanco is an established player, who has a career average above .300. He is also nifty in the field, as his two gold gloves would indicate. He is one of the toughest players to strike out in the league, thus a great option to have as the #2 hitter. In the Sox lineup, he might be moved to the bottom of the order. There, he would be the toughest #9 hitter to get out in the league.

The BoSox are always looking for a smart, reliable, heady player with some pop - this is their guy. He has it.

Stop Lying John Tomase

Boston Herald's John Tomase posts more rumor filled columns than we do. Tomase is now spewing garbage that the Sox could be after Miguel Cabrera, although that goes against everything they have done over the last 6 years. I don't think the Sox are going to trade one of their best young pitchers, Buchholz, coupled with a bunch of other prospects for Cabrera. Miggy is solid, however when was the last time the Sox traded prospects and picked up $126 million to get a player that hits like Manny, but drinks like a lush?

On a side note, the Herald also mentions that the BoSox could be after Marco Scutaro and his robust .379 OBP. Now that would be an excellent pickup. A perfect role player, that can easily start, and would fill that Bill Mueller esque role.

Sox Going After John Lackey

Red Sox are hopefully on their way to making a big move. This is good to see, but are you really ready to give John Lackey a 5 year deal at 17 million per? You could have just given CC that crazy money last year over 7 years, and picked up a younger and more talented pitcher. I still think that J.Lack is one of the top 10 pitchers in the American League, so this will certainly help the Sox in the long run.

If they do end up signing Lack Man, what is the rotation going to be? Beckett, Lester, Lackey, Buchholz and Wakefield or Matsuzaka or Bowden.

Sox Future Forecast, Cloudy

As Red Sox nation still shakes their head in fustration over a disapointing three game sweep to the Angels, Theo Epstein and Co. have crucial decisions to make over the future makeup of this team.

The glaring weakness; offensive production. The Red Sox hit a dismal .158 in the three game span. Only one player had an on base percentage above .300 in the series. That man was Jason Bay. The million dollar question... to sign or not to sign Bay?

Arguments for: Jason Bay has been nothing more than a teriffic teammate. A guy who goes about his business quietly, but carries a big stick (as the old saying goes). Since replacing Manny in left, Bay has hammered out 45 home runs, drove in 156 runs, and sported an OPS of over .900. He has emerged as the teams best power hitter and run producer while playing a very solid fenway left field.

Arguments against: Jason Bay is 31 years old and possibly entering the downside of his career. Theo has already attempted twice during the regular season to sign Bay to a longterm deal but Jason wants more than the Red Sox seem willing to give. On the horizon in 2011 FA class is Joe Mauer, Jose Reyes, Jimmy Rollins, Carl Crawford, Adam Dunn, and Brad Hawpe (just to name a few!). Conventional wisdom says save the $$, patchwork the team for the 2010 season, and go spend big money in 2011 with better, younger superstars.

You make the call.

Pedro and the Snow

Anybody else excited to see Peety pitching in the snow in Denver tomorrow night? Ha! Guy grew up under a mango tree - is this really the best idea. If you throw mid 90s in 20 degrees, you are unhittable. However, if you throw 82 mph, and you are 63 years old like Pedro, then you could have some trouble.

Note to all gamblers, put all your money on the Rox. Phillies will be down 2-1 after this game! Sox/Rockies rematch? I like our chances.

Game 1 Wrap

My wrap is different than the AP's wrap...Sox can't hit. Boston's top 5 hitters in the lineup, 1-18. John Lackey has this kind of game every 5 starts against the Sox, where he is nearly unhittable. Manny Ramirez knows about Lackey's no-hit type stuff...

They got screwed on two calls at first base, which coincdentally drove up Lester's pitch count. 4 walks didn't help either. Ramon Ramirez now knows the difference between pitching in KC, and pitching for Boston.

We are excited...

.....about the game!

This Phillies fan is disappointed...and cold.

Whatever happens in the postseason, we always have hot women...some of them even seem to like sports. And by the way, if you want to send us some pictures of hot baseball chicks, feel free to. sportsjuke@gmail.com

God Damn It Twins...Told You We Wanted the Tigers!

Once again, the Twins will fail against NY. For some reason, the Twinkies can't handle this matchup. 2003 & 2004 featured Minnesota falling to NY 3-1 in the opening series. This year, it will be no different. We needed Verlander to be a horse and win two games for the Tigers - now that that possibility is gone, we have to rely on Brian Duensing, Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker, etc...There pitching rotation sucks! It can win the Central, but no team in the Central has complete pitching. This series is over before it even started.

Onto the Sox, I am not working until 4pm tomorrow night, so I will be feeling fine tomorrow. As for the rest of you...have fun! 9:37 start. Lester will be taking his sweet time. Lackey will be fine with his pitches. We might not wrap this thing up until well past 1:30....could even be 2am!

Series predictions (Even after game 1 of some playoff series):

1) Yanks over Twins, 3-1. Twins win one more in the baggy.

2) Sox over Angels, 3-1. Josh Beckett will take a loss, surprisingly.

3) Cardinals over Dodgers 3-2...even after the Cards opening game loss.

4) Phils over Rox 3-0. Tough go for Colorado, Lee and then Hamels. Yikes! Tough for anybody. Think we should have traded the farm for Cliff Lee?

Tonight's Gonna Be A Good Night

I couldn't find a good video from the Sox beating the Angels last year so don't shoot me. But tonight begins the 4th time in six years that the Red Sox will assert the dominance over the team from Los Angeles of Anaheim. Now you may be thinking, "but the Angels have Donnie Moore, no way they lose this series!." Well, he died, therefore the Sox will beat up on Angels picthing and win again.

To top of the night the Bruins are going up against the Ducks. Anaheim is the dirtiest and most annoying team in the league. I can't wait till Milan "I just got myself a new deal" Lucic destroys George Parros and his pornstar mustache. Indeed, tonight is gonna be a good night.

What's The Point

Before the Red Sox went 86 years without winning a World Series the fans followed. Why? The team sucked for a majority of the time, they were prone to the September collapse and Heartbreak had his own locker in the clubhouse.

But hey, any team can have a bad century right?

Bucching the Trend...

Is it wrong of me to feel really antsy about the prospect of Clay Buchholz being the #3 once the playoffs start? Is it me, or do you feel like Buchh might get bombed in any/all of his outings? The numbers surely show that he can succeed at the Major League level, but because of his absolute implosion last year, I am yet to give him my 100% vote of confidence. Yes, he was young last year. But, he is still young! He has tremendous stuff, but at what point does that not carry over into the postseason? Answer: It usually happens to young pitchers, who are throwing in the playoffs for the first time.

I would love to be confident in Buchh. I really would. Unfortunately, my confidence in pitchers lies only two deep on this roster...JB and Lester. Wake scares me. Dice K always scares me. Byrd shouldn't be on the roster, and might not be during the postseason.

Who would you rather have on the mound in the postseason. Sabathia, Burnett, Pettite, and Joba or Beckett, Lester, Buchholz and Wake? That is a very, very, very difficult question. I think it is a toss up. If I am right, we might be seeing another Game 7 in Yankee Stadium. Who's your daddy?

Pssssshhhh! It's Just the Royals!

They are too good! Wouldn't want to face KC in the playoffs. Thank God they are 17.5 games out in the Central. What do you say we trade Dice K, Manny Delcarmen, Jed Lowrie, JD Drew, Jason Varitek, and Paul Byrd for Zach 'Cy' Greinke and Lenny DiNardo! Greinke is the best pitcher in the league - bar none - and should win the Cy. He will only finish with 15 or 16 wins, but aside from that, he has some staggering numbers.