Go Johnny, Go, Go -- Stay Johnny, Stay, Stay?

So the Old Towne team put a waiver claim in for former lead idiot Johnny Damon. Now he is contemplating whether or not to leave the underachieving Detroit Tigers to come back where he made his name and brand. The fact that he is thinking about this proves he is really an idiot.

His pregame and post game comments about this being a hard decision may just be posturing but let's assume he is too stupid to try that tact.

Who wouldn't want to go from a team one game under .500 and out of playoff contention to a team the is eighteen games over .500 and within reach of the playoffs? If you are saying "Brian Giles" right now give yourself a high five. Pro athletes today are making huge sacrifices to win rings. What ever your thoughts on the former King James, he wants desperately to win a championship. If Damon really would rather play out the string on a losing team, please do.

Who wouldn't rather live in Boston over Detroit? Have you been to Detroit in the past 20 years? Granted he probably lives in one of the suburbs but really? His diva wife Michelle must be going nuts in those Detroit social circles. If you truly want to live there and not here, please do.

Who wouldn't want to turn boos into cheers again? It seems Damon was scarred by the reception he received here by the fans. If memory serves me correctly he left us for what amounted to less than five million dollars over five years to go play for your fiercest rival. That's like a girl breaking up with you for the guy you have been in a constant fight with over your entire lifetime and your loved ones giving her the cold shoulder. Did he expect anything different? He went to play for the Yankees! Undoubtedly, Fenway would turn friendly for him again but as fans we do not want an over sensitive wuss. If Damon cannot see why the Red Sox faithful had those feelings for him after he left, please stay.

I hope this guy agrees to get traded to the Sox because the offense could use his talents. If he chooses to remain with a team going no where, in a place that has seen better days, all because his feelings were hurt, he is truly an idiot.

Hanging by a String

After getting blown out by the Blue Jays on Friday, the Sox take the final two games of the series. That puts the record on the homestand at 4-2. Good but not great. The season is slipping away. Seattle is next. The Sox NEED to win this series. The Rays and Yankees look like playoff teams right now. Our biggest hope lies in the twelve games we have left with these two clubs.

A couple of BTW's

It is extremely painful to watch Mike Lowell play. He literally cannot run. No wonder no team took a chance on him.

Josh Beckett is in a major funk right now. Good thing Clay Buchholz is pitching like the Beckett of '07.

Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury both look lost for the year. The injuries this team has been forced to overcome is truly unbelieveable. Making the playoffs without the top three hitters in the line up is unthinkable.

Disappointment

Awful, awful, awful loss. If the Sox miss the playlets by one game, we will remember August 12th. Papelbon blew it. Francona should not have had Lackey start the ninth. I know hindsight is 20/20 but .... Francona was just trying to show some confidence in Lackey since he has struggled of late.

Let the Bard vs. Papelbon debate begin.

Don't look now but ....

The Sox all of sudden seem to be heating up winning eleven of their last sixteen games.

An impressive win on Tuesday after failing to protect a couple of leads. Scoring seven runs was a huge confidence boost.

Tonight's win was the first "comfortable" win in what seems like three months. Some guy that looks like Bill Hall hit two home runs giving him 15 for the year. This impostor has as many home runs as Evan Longaria. Clay Buchholz was outstanding.

The Rays loss this afternoon and the Yankees trail by three in the seventh. Things are getting interesting.

Could John Lacey please step up tomorrow!!!!

Roseanne Barr is singing

The bad news is the Red Sox have ZERO chance of catching the Yankees for the division this year. I'll try not to over analyze this. Simply put, this team is not good enough to compete with the Yankees over 162 games. Injuries, lack of a consistent offense and a weakened bull pen are the biggest culprits.

The encouraging news is the fall of the Rays. Wholly collapse Batman!

A couple of notes from the series so far:

-- Errors!!!!!!!! Scutaro's first was errors was discussed last blog. He screwed up a run day the next day. Last night, Billy Hall gift wrapped a run by throwing a ball away that VMart made no attempt to stop. Kevin Cash throws away an errant pick off attempt after a strikeout. Both plays were not intelligent baseball plays but were also a bit unlucky.

-- Lackey is lacking in stuff. The biggest sign of this is his inability to pound the strike zone. Go after guys.

-- Beckett had good stuff last night. The Yanks hit a couple of good pitches. I have no worries about how he is throwing.

-- Wake looked real good last night.

-- I would have rather of seen AJ Burnett last night than Sugar Shane Mosley. hindsight is 20/20.

-- Ellsbury at the top of the order is killing the team. 0 for 16 since returning from the DL is not getting it done.

-- I really like listening to Joe Morgan and John Miller as much as I hate dealing with Joe Buck and Tim MacCarver. "I guess he is calling the front corner of the plate a strike." Huh??????????????? I get Sabathia's sweeping curveball could swipe the front corner of the plate but by definition of a strike, it is still not a strike!! Now I know why Bob Gibson threw so hard. He was trying to hurt his annoying catcher.

Game 1 to the Sox

First of all I'm a little peeved by the headline in this morning's local newspaper -- "Yanks are a Bit Too Giving". It leads people to believe that the game was handed to the Sox. True, the Sox benefited from a miscue by the Yankee catcher and pitcher but that certainly was not the game.

Clay Buchholz was very efficient. The sequence of the game was when the Sox are up 4-1 and Scutaro fields a ground ball behind second base and inexplicably tries to glove toss the ball to Lowrie covering for the force out. Fielder's choice, E-6. First and second no one out. Instead of unraveling, Buc gets a double play grounder (nice play by Lowell) and strikeout. What did Vasquez (2004 ALCS game 7 starter)do when that pop up is not fielded? Walks two consecutive batters and allows a two run double to Scutaro. That my friends is the difference. It is not the error but how the pitcher responds after the miscue.

Big Papi's first inning homer got the team on the board and then Ryan Kalish (making an excellent first impression, not sure he is Trot Nixon reincarnated. Looks like a far better defender)hits a two run shot off of Vasquez for his first major league homer.

Bottom line is our starting pitcher out pitched their starter. Most games are decided by this. The Yankees did not hand the game to the Sox.

Today's match up is key for the Yanks. Sabathia vs Lackey is a must win for them. If the Sox can take two out of the next three, they still have a legit shot at the playoffs despite all of these injuries.

A couple of observations:

-- Great catch by Ellsbury in the eighth. Fell right onto those injured ribs. He did not look 100% before or after that.

-- Comical how far Joba has fallen. I'm sure when the organization was limiting his pitches, the infamous Joba Rules, they did not envision him pitching in the sixth inning of an important game. Why not show his dad in the stands last night?

--Not sure I want the team to trade for Casey Kotchman again. Reportedly, Carlos Delgado worked out for the team yesterday. That may be the better addition to platoon with Lowell at first base.

-- Joe Girardi, really? Aside from the fact that he is forty something years old and wearing braces, what does he do except stand there with his arms folded during games?

-- Classic at bat from Jeter in the ninth. It is so hard not to respect him.

Youkkkkkk = Yukkkkkkk

Our MVP candidate first baseman is out for the year after injuring his thumb. There have been many nails in the Red Sox coffin recently. This I am afraid may be the most damaging. Youk is the player who's personality most resembles the team's. Youk grinds out at bats, plays hard, and plays with a passion that is infectious.

My tipping point is this upcoming four game series in New York. If the team cannot take 3 of 4 from the second place Yankees, this season may be over.

Youk, Lowell, Beckett and Ellsbury

Much going on in the World of the Red Sox. Let's take a look at some major players.

Kevin Youkilis. Bum thumb places our most valuable hitter on the DL. Dear Baseball Gods, Whyyyyyyyyyy! This injury stuff is getting way out of hand. 55 games to play. Each game gets more and more important.

Mike Lowell. I see a Lifetime movie in his future. Left like a discarded old toy in the trash heap, Lowell is awaiting his fate (trade -- not to the Yanks, designated for assignment, cut) when Youk goes down and Lowell becomes the first baseman. Steps to the plate after getting a standing ovation and deposits one in the stands. Good story. Let's hope he can help the offense.

Josh Beckett looked awesome again last night. His ball has been exploding. Good sign. Benches cleared last night after Beckett threw inside twice. The Indians futile attempts to retaliate angered the Sox. The guy they threw at (Adrian Beltre) would not have beeny choice. Ever see the scene in the dugout when VMart touches his head? He would have snapped. Sox in a brawl I would avoid -- Beltre, Youk, Beckett, Kalish, Varitek, Lester and Papelbon.

Jacoby Ellsbury. The teen heartthrob returns. Scutaro will move to the bottom of the order. This should be huge. I'm really torn on this which of the great divide between Ellsbury and management I'm on. The bottom line is we could really use this guys speed on the base paths and defense in center. The eyes of Red Sox Nation will be on #2 tonight.

Big game tonight.

Another wild one

Another solid win. Clay Buchholz was fantastic. He was bumping 93-95 MPH with some serious movement. Very impressive performance. Of course, Jonathon Papelbon coughed it up in the ninth. First pitch fastball to Miggy Cabrera = two run double. Jonny Peralta same pitch RBI single. He is not fooling anyone any more. My boy Slut (it is like calling a big kid Tiny) wants Bard already. Patience is needed in Red Sox Nation.

Four game series versus Cleveland. Three out of four is needed.

HUGE!!!!

Big win this afternoon. Hopefully, this win can give the offense some momentum heading towards the dog days of August. Gotta love seeing the team celebrate a Papi walk off hit.

A couple of BTW's ...

• awful angle taken by the Tiger left fielder on Papi's game winner
• good move designating Hermida. He was given ample opportunities.
• Ramon Ramirez fooled me. I truly thought he was going to be very good for the team. I have a hunch he does well for the Giants
• not sold on Jarrod Saltalamacchia's ability
• Ryan Kalish looks like he can swing it.
• can't blame Leyland for intentionally walking the go ahead run in the ninth. Coke versus Papi is a good match up. Plus, the strategy worked in the seventh.
• the Yankees get their guys when they need them. Cashman gets big props.

WSTD

As the trade deadline draws near, What Should Theo Do????

Most reports have the Sox doing something very small if anything at all. A bull pen arm perhaps. But there are at least ten other teams looking for the same thing. Toronto asked for Casey Kelly for their lefty reliever Scott Downs. Way too much.

I guarantee you big time prospects Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo and Jose Igelesia are not going anywhere. Theo's track record shows he does not trade away the upper echelon prospects.

Today looks like a quiet day.

Game Notes Sox @ Angels Wednesday 3:30 PM

Pregame --

• Joel Pinero not starting for the Angels. Advantage Sox.
• Glen Ordway on WEEI called today's game "important". His reasoning was completing the sweep, finishing 6-4 on the trip and Beckett's second start since returning from the DL. I gotta agree.
• JD Drew is out again with a hamstring. Anyone that has ever had a pulled, strained or cranky hamstring knows that it is not a joke. You cannot push off of that leg at all.
• Jed Lowrie not in the line up? He's a little young to need a day off after a night game. VMart is back behind the dish.

Game --

• I'm officially annoyed with the constant camera shots of Mike Scioscia in the dugout whining about balls and strikes.
• Jeremy Hermida is awful. He laid up on the sinking line drive in in the second inning leading to two runs. Feel free to give an effort. Then he strikes out on six pitched balls with two in.
• How many famous white guys are named Reggie?
• I remember the Red Sox in the early eighties using three relievers every once in a while for a game. I believe Dick Dragoo started and pitched three followed by another three inning stint from some one else. Pretty effective. Gotta think it makes it harder for a hitter.
• Remy needs to beat down The Thumb. The Opposable one just called Remy "old". BTW -- How about the Curse of the RemDawg? Ellsbury changes his number and now turns into Dave Chappelle.
• You gotta think that old man did not know the swarm of bees were beneath him. Why wouldn't the fans that left that section tell him? California. They were all probably high on their medicinal marijuana.
• Two (back to back walks) on no outs in the eighth. You MUST bunt Eric Patterson. I know the team has struggled with guys in scoring position but you play the percentages. Patterson reaches any way.
• Scutaro goes ya ya for the grand slam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fernando Rodney is sick to his stomach.
• I hope no one has Rodney or Ortiz on their fantasy teams. Papi just went down with his 4th strikeout in the game. 3 k's is a "hat trick", 4 k's is a "golden sombrero". What do you call a game where you strike out five times? Never saw nor heard of that.
• Beckett out after seven solid innings. Very workman-like effort. Here comes Manny DelCarmen. I won't review his recent struggles. This might get interesting. There was a report that Bard and Papelbon are unavailable for this series finale.
• Bill Hall. Big time play. DelCarmen's career can be summed up in that inning. He looks absolutely filthy at times and absolutely feeble at times. Wakefield's warming to pitch the ninth.
• Ramirez pitches the ninth. Smooth.
• Very good win to end the road trip.

One back ...

Review from yesterday's Red Sox happenings --

VMart returned, Ellsbury began his rehab assignment, Papi broke out of his HR Derby slump (predicted), Buchholz was solid, Atchinson -- not so much, and Paps got the dreaded 4 out save.

Hopefully, the team can get through this road trip with a winning record.

Lackey returns home tonight to pitch against his former team, he better bring it.

LET"S GO SOX!!!!!

Beckett Returns

Josh Beckett's return last night is hopefully a sign of things to come. The Sox are four games out of the wild card spot. These injuries have certainly caught up to the team. Beckett's performance last night serves as some much needed hope to the team and its followers.

The starting pitching staff is now in its original form. The bullpen certainly could use a boost. Tim Wakefield's arrival there should help. The team was without a long set up man. Michael Bowden looks like he may help. What we desperately need is for Hideki Okajima to find his groove.

Offensively, the losses of Dustin Pedroia, Victor Martinez, Jeremy Hermida, Jacoby Ellsbury and to a lesser extent Jason Varitek has been crippling. Hermida returns today and Martinez is not too far behind. When Pedrioa returns we won't have to stomach seeing Daniel Nava, Eric Patterson or Darnell McDonald batting in the two hole. As far as Ellsbury is concerned, anything he can give us at this point is a plus.


Brighter days are on the horizon. We can only hope that by the time the team is at full strength, the sun has not set on the season.

Yo Adrian!!!!

Adrian Beltre --- Are you serious?? You tweak your hamstring the game prior to the All Star game but deem yourself healthy enough to play in the midsummer classic. Now as the team is trying to cope with more injuries than General Hospital and you are out a couple of games because of that hamstring injury.

Why play in the All Star game if you were not 100% healthy. I realize it was your first appearance but how about honoring your contract and the organization that is paying you. The regular season is far more important than that glorified scrimmage game.

ARod didn't even get into the game. We need to use better judgment.

RIP

Reports has "The Boss" passing away this morning.

First the voice of the Yankees dies and now the loud voice of the team passes days later.

Say what you want about the man's demeanor, but he made the Yanks winners after he took over the team. Then in the early nineties he realized that more "baseball men" should have control and he allowed that to happen. He also was a big supporter of U.S. Olympic efforts.

Rest in peace to the man born on the Fourth of July.

Papi HR Derby Winner!!!!

Wahoooooo.

Now back to baseball. Vegas has 3-2 odds on him not hitting a home run in his next 10 games after that display last night. His swing looks totally screwed.

Tough one to take

Last night's loss to the Rays was painful.

Eric Patterson hits two homers, Papi scores from first on a nifty slide, Beltre and Hall come up with big two out hits -- all leading to a commanding 5-1 lead. Commanding to any pitcher on the staff except Hideki Irabu.

Irabu pitches behind hitters all night, fails to get an out on a sac bunt, and for all the scratching and clawing the depleted team does to win a game, he coughs it up. The saddest part of it all is while we are watching all this unfold, we knew it was going to happen.

Offensively for the Sox, the sequence of the game was the bases loaded one out situation in the sixth. Beltre and Drew both strike out. We all realize these guys have had solid years and can't do it every time but can we get the ball in play?

Lost in all this is Joe Maddon's decision to put on a safety squeeze with first and third and no out, in a tie game, with his lead off (and one of the best hitters) man Ben Zobrist. What the heck is the thinking behind that? Scared of a strikeout? Okay you would still have first and third one out with Crawford up. A double play? You would still have the lead. Makes no sense. Jerry Remy is saying he would understand if it was a sacrifice to get the runner at first into scoring position. What?? That too makes no sense.

Just last week, Maddon up 6-1 attempted to bunt to put guys on second and third. Up 6-1???? I know it is hard to judge other people but some of this is just bizarre.

Maybe Joe Maddon can get Irabu back on track.

How long can this last?

Are the Red Sox really winning behind the likes of Billy Hall, Daniel Nava, and Darnell McDonald? I'm not sure how long it will last but Red Sox Nation should not panic.

This team is built on defense and starting pitching. Though both of these parts of the game have their ups and downs, but they are far more consistent than a team's offense. Look at the struggles of the Phillies as a prime example. Offensively, they have yet to be totally healthy and thus have struggled. The Sox are built differently.

Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester and John Lackey are a combined 28-10. Defensively, the team is in the top five among American League teams in most defensive categories.

Offensively, the Red Sox are getting by without its lead off man that lead the league in steals, its middle of the order catcher and its former MVP second baseman. Each guy cannot be replaced but with David Ortiz and Adrian Beltre exceeding expectations, the offense can survive. Marco Scutaro and JD Drew have had their moments. It would be a big lift if Kevin Youkilis could snap out of his recent slump.

From now until the All Star Break the Sox play ten games against the AL East (Rays, Blue Jays, Orioles). This is an important stretch for the team to keep this going.

Enough!!

Enough with the injuries!!

Pedroia goes down. Buchholz goes down. They join Ellsbury (I don't think he is milking it), Beckett, Lowell (he's more important than Lowrie who I am not mentioning), Drew (he pinch hit today) and Hermedia (yeah, he's important) on the unable to perform due to injury.

Dice-K and Cameron have both missed time too.

It is amazing the team is only two games out of the wild card and first place.