When the Red Sox and the Angels were set to play yet again in the ALDS most people thought it would be business as usual. The Sox have dominated the Halos over the past few seasons when it mattered most. I am not going to sit here and lie to you and say that I was not one of those people, I was thinking that the teams were more evenly matched this season, but none the less the Sox were going to win. Well the day has to come when you no longer have someones number, it happens in every sport (Pats vs Colts is the first that comes to mind) and for the Red Sox it has now happened in back to back seasons. The Tampa Bay Rays lost the "Devil" in their name and then lost the jinx against the Sox and bounced them out in the ALCS.

Labels: Boston Red Sox, clay buchholz, Dice-K, Indiapolis Colts, Jason Bay, Jason Varitek, Los Angeles Angels of Aneheim, New England Patriots, Playoffs, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Theo Epstein, Tim Wakefield

With last nights 8-4 win at Tropicana Field, the Red Sox did more then set the Tampa Bay Rays back in their attempts to climb back into the Wild Card race (they are now 6 games back of the BoSox) they also got a monkey off their back.

After losing 13 of their last 15 games at the Trop, the Red Sox desperately needed a win and they got it last night on the back of Jon Lester who passed Bruce Hurst for the Red Sox record for most strikeouts in one season by a left-hander. With his 9 strikeouts last night (nice work JL) he has notched 196 strikeouts in the 2009 campaign and is now the left-hander strikeout king for the Red Sox.

It wasn't just Jon Lester that got it done last night, the Sox offense is finally starting to click and this is important if they plan to go deep into the playoffs. While I do believe we will hold on for the wild card, I also think when we get into the playoffs, especially if we go deep into the playoffs, with the state of our pitching rotation we are going to have to win more games by scores like 8-4.

In order to do that we are going to need the bats of Jacoby Ellsbury, Victor Martinez, Dustin Pedroia, Jason Bay and David Ortiz to light up like they have been over the last couple of weeks. We are going to need big hits in big spots, like Big Papi did for us to take us home against the White Sox last week.

Let's be real, the Red Sox pitching rotation is shakey at best at this point so we are going to need big bats in big spots.

Last night it took the whole team to get it done. With the exception of Dustin Pedroia all of the local nine notched hits last night, Papelbon came in and got 3 strikeouts and went two innings to get the job done with a little help from Jacoby Ellsbury on an AMAZING catch at the end of the game and of course their was the pitching from Jon Lester through 6 innings.

It was a win that the Red Sox needed to keep pace in the wild card as the Texas Rangers won against the Blue Jays last night as well. The Red Sox remain 3.5 up in the wild card and with the Yankees on a 5 game winning streak of their own, there is virtually no hope of catching the Skanks for the AL East division win. I think we did alright the last time we got in as the wild card.

- Adam

Labels: Boston Red Sox, Bruce Hurst, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Jason Bay, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Tropicana Field, Victor Martinez

After Timmy dubbed Big Papi, David Ortiz, Big Pop-up a couple of weeks ago, I have been reconsidering my position on the slugger. You see, I am the ultimate optimist and when it comes to hometown heroes like David Ortiz, I like to think the best of them. Sometimes I wonder if I should be more realistic about things, but then I realize I like seeing the world through rose colored glasses. So, I continue to think that Papi is innocent and has not done anything wrong. The only crime I think he may have committed is growing old, but we all do that. This was reinforced by this article by Bill Simmons on ESPN.com.

It is neither Big Papi's alleged steroid use or his overnight aging that has me wondering, it's the fact the Red Sox are in first place, virtually without him.

The Boston Red Sox have survived an early slump by David Ortiz (which continues) and they have seen their "ace" pitchers struggle through the first part of the season, but they have the strength in their lineup and the heart of a champion that has kept them plugging away and has positioned them nicely for a real run at another World Series.

The question remains, can they do it without a true slugger? All signs point to the fact that they are going to have to. Without a strong Big Papi in the lineup, the Red Sox sluggers are limited to great hitters who just don't have the same presence that David Ortiz or even Manny Ramirez have. Not taking anything away from Jason Bay, but he really just doesn't strike the same fear in opposing pitchers that a strong David Ortiz does.

So, do the Red Sox need David Ortiz to win another World Series this year? Of course not. They have made it this far without him (virtually of course...he has been there, but hasn't really "been" there) and they will continue to thrive without his bat in the lineup. They will play a different kind of baseball, but they will find a way to win and who is going to stop them? The Rays? Likely not. The Blue Jays? They'll fade. So, it will be the Red Sox v. Yankees in the ALCS again this year and who will win? The team with the bigger bats or the team with the silencing pitching? I vote for pitching, ALWAYS. That is why the Boston Red Sox will defeat the New York Yankees to make it to another World Series this year. I know it's early and a lot can happen, but as it stands now, despite their overwhelming power, the Yankees just simply do not have the pitching strength to match us.

Do the Red Sox really "need" David Ortiz? No, they don't. It would be nice to have him back to his old self again though...seriously.

adam@wickedpissadude.com

Labels: Boston Red Sox, David Ortiz, Jason Bay, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, World Series

Jon Lester was stellar in his Game #1 start on Wednesday night. The man is simply becoming one of the best starters in the game. What were we all worried about that Beckett was going to have to sit out? In 7 innings, Lester gave up just six hits (all of which were singles) and no earned runs to put the Red Sox in a good position to take Game #1, which they did by a score of 4-1.

Jason Bay had Boston fans saying, Manny who, with his two run shot off Lackey in the sixth inning to put the Red Sox out in front 2-1. He was the first Red Sox player since Todd Walker, to hit a home run in his playoff debut with the Sox and it came at a big spot in the game.

Labels: A-Rod, Boston Red Sox, Jason Bay, Jon Lester, Los Angeles Angels of Aneheim, New York Yankees

I can take it like a man, so hurl your insluts at me all you like, I know I am the one that blew it for the Red Sox. I am the one that wrote an entry about the Sox taking over 1st place before tonights game. I am the one that, while recording tonight's episode of Wicked Pissa Dude Radio spoke as if they were in 1st place. So, please, blame me I can take it.

Labels: AL East, Boston Red Sox, Jason Bay, Jonathon Papelbon, Tampa Bay Rays

The Boston Red Sox have just about completed their claw back to the top of the AL East. It’s been a while since they’ve made it to the top, but they are almost there and with a win tonight, it is a sealed deal that they will at least spend some time atop the AL East, but will it be short lived?

One thing is for sure, the Red Sox know how to win at Fenway Park, but their record away from home is not as impressive. They are below five hundred on the road this year with a ZERO wins at Tropicana Field, where they will end up a week from yesterday for the final three game set against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The good news though? The Red Sox will be spending the majority of the last three weeks of the season at Friendly Fenway where they are an incredible 49-19 this season. Not the best home record in the league, but it’ll do.

What will be the difference maker for the Red Sox to finish the season atop the AL East? What is it every year? It’s the bullpen stupid.

It is safe to say that the Red Sox starting rotation is solid this year. With the expected return of Josh Beckett to his typical late season form, starting tomorrow night, Dice-K’s strong season, Lester is out of his mind good right now, Timmy Wakefield and Paul Byrd to round out the five, the starting pitching is looking good if not great heading into October.

The offense remains strong with a surprisingly strong performance by Coco Crisp and great numbers from Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youklis, both MVP contenders this season. There have also been the amazing contributions from additions Mark Kotsay and Jason Bay to the line-up and with the return of Mike Lowell and JD Drew, the Red Sox almost have too many bats to play and I didn’t even mention David Ortiz. Offense? We’re good.

So what is left to scrutinize? Must be the bullpen. While Papelbon has remained strong this season, he has also had a hard time getting through an inning cleanly in quite sometime. Then there is last year’s lights out eighth inning guy Hideki Okajima who’s struggles this season have been well documented, but who appears to be turning a corner. Justin Masterson has shown that he has great stuff coming from the pen, but there is still a consistency question mark with his performances. From time to time, Manny Delcarmen has been solid, but again there is a question about consistency. Then there’s the one guy that really never gets mentioned, but who has put up some quality numbers this season and that is Javier Lopez. Nobody gives him the credit he deserves, but with a 2.72 ERA, he just might be the bridge-to-Pap we need come the playoffs.

There you have it, only one real question mark for the Red Sox going into October and really, it’s not much of a question mark. Hey, we won the series with Eric Gagne in the bullpen, I think we’re good to go.

adam@wickedpissadude.com

Labels: Boston Red Sox, Daisuke Matsuzaka, David Ortiz, Jason Bay, Javier Lopez, Jonathon Papelbon, Justin Masterson, Tim Kotsay

adam@wickedpissadude.com

Labels: AL East, Barack Obama, Boston Red Sox, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Jason Bay, Manny Ramirez, Nomar Garciaparra, Tampa Bay Rays, Youuuuuuuuuk

Well, the thought was nice. A beautiful summer afternoon. A beer in one hand, the remote in another and the Boston Red Sox on my television. Too bad the Red Sox couldn't help me out a bit with, I don't know, ONE RUN!!! It wasn't to be as Jon Lester had one of his worst performances of the season and the Red Sox got blanked by the Blue Jays 11-0.Jon Lester only lasted 2 1/3 innings and in that short span of time gave up 8 hits and 7 runs before being yanked. That's just about the story of today's game, but there was more.

The game started out on a bright note as it looked like the Red Sox were going to explode offensively again. Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia both got on in the 1st with no outs. Then David Ortiz, Kevin Youklis and Jason Bay fizzled and that was the story of the game.

The first inning was all there was to speak of in terms of Red Sox offense for the afternoon, as they were only able to muster four hits, leaving a bad taste in the mouth of Red Sox Nation International.

So now the deficit in the AL East is 5.5 and it's looking less and less likely that the Red Sox will catch the Rays, regardless of what Big Papi says, it is unlikely it will happen. There's always the wild card right? Well, if you can call a 1/2 game lead a lead, otherwise, that's a dead heat.

Click here for the boxscore.

Labels: Boston Red Sox, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Bay, Jon Lester, Kevin Youklis, Toronto Blue Jays

Well the week for Red Sox Nation started out well, a nice weekend for new Boston Red Sox, Jason Bay, pitching was looking solid and Manny was thinking about caviar and Bentley's, but the giddiness of Red Sox Nation wasn't to last too long.

While doing this episode of Wicked Pissa Dude Radio, the Red Sox dropped another game to the KC Royals. So, what's a member of the Nation to do? LYAO with Wicked Pissa Dude Radio.

We're angry in this episode, talking about everything from Manny being gone to Patriots pre-season power ranking and your Wicked Pissa Pick.

Don't forget, if you have a song you want us to play, shoot us an e-mail radio@wickedpissadude.com and let us know where you're e-mailing from and what song you want and we'll take care of you.

Also, we'd love to have you be a part of the WPDRFL. If you want to play fantasy football with us, get us an e-mail with your name, team name, your town and how many leagues you are in and we'll shoot you the info you need, radio@wickedpissadude.com.

Thanks for listening!! Make sure you subscribe to the podcast and the blog!!

adam@wickedpissadude.com

Labels: Boston Red Sox, Jason Bay, Manny Ramirez, New England Patriots, Wicked Pissa Dude Radio, WPDRFL

What started out on Thursday like a dark day at the ballpark for the Boston Red Sox, turned into a sweeping victory for the local nine. This afternoon, behind the arm of Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Red Sox defeated the Oakland Athletics 5-2 to take three out of three from the west coast foes.

This leaves Red Sox Nation to wonder, was this sweep a direct correlation with the trade of Manny Ramirez for Jason Bay, who went 2-4 with two singles in the win and also had a homerun and a clutch triple in the series. It is easy to forget that what might have contributed to the sweep was the struggling of the A's who have lost six straight and find themselves at the bottom of the heap in the AL West.

The weekend sweep didn't do much for the Red Sox in the standings who still find themselves 3 games back of the insanely lucky Tampa Bay DEVIL Rays. The Rays who took three from the Detroit Tigers have won 5 straight.

The Red Sox have an off day tomorrow and then travel to Kansas City to take on the woeful Royals, that should be good for the soul.

Click here for today's box score and WELCOME TO THE BAY STATE!!

adam@wickedpissadude.com

Labels: Boston Red Sox, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jason Bay, Kansas City Royals, Manny Ramirez, Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Sad news out of the nation today. Plenty more coverage on this story as it develops, but know this, the Boston Red Sox have traded Manny Ramirez to the LA Dodgers and in return will recieve Jason Bay from the Pirates in a three way deal. The Pittsburgh Pirates will get four minor leaguers in the deal.

Labels: Boston Red Sox, Jason Bay, LA Dodgers, Manny Ramirez, Pittsburgh Pirates, sports illustrated