The trade deadline has come and gone and if you were subscribed to our ATOS feed you would know that the Boston Red Sox made some nice moves with the last minute manuvering of one Theo Epstein.

In his last minute moves, Theo made two plays that will position the slumping Red Sox nicely moving forward for a playoff push. Nostradumbass got it half right when he said that Victor Martinez would be in a Red Sox uniform after the trade deadline, because we got him, but instead of trading our roid rage clutch hitter Big Papi, we sent Justin Masterson, Bryan Price and left-handed pitcher Nick Hagadone to Cleveland. Martinez will spend his time giving Jason Varitek a breather and can be used at 1st base as well.

In another move that gives the Sox more go-to room on the bench, Theo dealt Adam LaRoche to Atlanta for Casey Kotchman. This move undoubtedly will be good when the Red Sox are playing October baseball!!

-Adam

Labels: Bryan Price, Casey Kotchman, Cleveland Indians, Jason Varitek, Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone, Victor Martinez

Well, it wouldn't be an ALCS for the Boston Red Sox if they weren't down and "out" or should I say, ALMOST out. 48 hours ago the Red Sox were just a few outs away from being eliminated from the ALCS and playing SKINS against the Yankees, but they battled back and are now staring down the barrel of a game 7.

Jason Varitek's game winning homerun came in the best case scenario. With the game tied at two in the sixth, Tek picked a very opportune time to swing for the fences and put the Red Sox up 3-2. It was perfect timing by the captain.So what was the actual story of this game? The Boston bullpen was lights out, pitching four innings of no-hit ball. Okajima pitched two very solid innings, Masterson took care of the eighth and the best closer in the history of the MLB, Papelbon closed out the ninth with his usual fire.

The Boston Red Sox are on the brink of yet another ALCS comeback. Whatever happens tomorrow night, the Red Sox have proven they have a bigger heart then any team in the MLB. The Red Sox have won nine straight elimination games in the ALCS. Now, they just need to do it one more time. I guess the DVR will have to take care of the Amazing Race for me tomorrow night, all eyes on the Carton tomorrow night for Red Sox nation.

Labels: ALCS, Amazing race, Boston Red Sox, Hideki Okajima, Jason Varitek, Jonathon Papelbon, Justin Masterson

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

4 years ago yesterday, Red Sox Nation was turned on its collective butt when Nomar Garciaparra was traded to the Cubs for Orlando "The OC" Cabrera and Doug "It took me 6 months to be able to spell his name" Mientkiewicz. Everyone was freaking out, screaming "How could you trade Nomar???" or “The Sox will explode and drop into last place and then the FO will be sorry!" Or the ever popular "I KNEW Theo Epstein was too young to be GM of the Sox, Da Bum..."


But the funny thing was...NONE of that happened...


The Sox, galvanized by the positive vibes and great defensive play of The OC and Mientkiewicz, went on to win their 1st World Series in 86 years--even making history by being the ONLY team EVER to come back and win a series when they were down 0-3...


So, forgive me if I am not wailing and gnashing my teeth over Malcontent Manny getting exactly what he wanted, forcing a trade, making EVERYONE miserable, and not even caring, to get the hell out of town.

C'mon, Pink Hats--has the last couple of weeks been cute and charming? Was Manny shoving a 64 year old man, "Child-like and Whimsical"? Was the REFUSAL to play in some of the biggest games of this year, when the team DESPERATELLY needed him just "Manny being Manny” Can you REALLY excuse this behavior?

If you can, I dont get it--I really REALLY don't...

But, if any of you feel like boycotting Fenway Park in wake of recent events (as I saw some of you threatening on-line) feel free to send those tickets over here...

And by the way, Please STOP saying that losing Craig Hansen was a bad thing--he was awful in 2006 (remember the 4 game sweep by the Skanks in August??) and he was DREADFUL this year. And if he does improve in Pittsburgh, it will only be because there is less pressure there--and it’s the NL...

The only person I will miss in this trade is Brandon Moss--I thought he was a great guy and a decent player--but I do realize he will be better off somewhere where he can play every day, or at least more regularly.

Now, that being said, I AM disappointed that Theo was unable to pick up some bullpen help during the trade. What happened to acquiring lefty Josh Grabow from the Pirates? Hopefully, the Sox will be able to pick someone up on the waiver wire, or find someone that can help in the minor system, cause the bullpen is still a pretty big problem...If Okajima can rebound (and he has been showing signs of life lately) and Justin Masterson can continue to do what he is doing, and MDC could find his way--I think the bullpen would be ok--although another arm certainly could not hurt--unless they get another Gagne again...

So, Jason Bay, a 2-time all-star who's numbers for this season were pretty comparable to Manny's (.282 with 22 homers and 64 RBI's to Manny's .299, 20 homers and 68 RBI's), has a decent running game, and who HAS to be a ton better in the outfield, will join the Sox this evening for his 1st game at Fenway Park--I hope he goes 4-4 with 2 homers in his debut...

And it will be interesting to see how this line-up looks without Manny--who will bat 4th? Will Papi be moved to 4th, with JD Drew batting 3rd and Lowell (or Bay) batting 5th? Or will Bay be placed in the #4 hole right off (I think that is doubtful--but who knows?) Should be an interesting game tonight--one I cannot WAIT to see...

Tonight: The Sox (hopefully) begin their road back to normalcy and winning ways--and perhaps get their sh*t together. Game 1 of the final 3 of this home stand begins against Oakland with 1st pitch at 7:05pm by Tim Wakefield. Justin Duchscherer pitches for the Athletics...

- Boston Red Thoughts by Christine at http://www.bostonredthoughts.com/

Labels: Boston Red Sox, Boston Red Thoughts, Justin Masterson, Manny Ramirez, Nomar Garciapara, Orlando Cabrera