Big Papi of old?

He came through as a PH and hit the game-winning HR - nice job, Big Papi!  He leads the team in HRs and is making a strong case for a contract extension.  But, we have a long way to go and his $12M contract is a bit hefty for a DH these days. 

'Sox go for sweep tonight.  Worst case, they end up taking 3 of 4 in Detroit.  

'Sox stay hot

They continue to hit and pitch well.  The ageless Wake continues to be the ultimate safety valve, stepping up when and where needed.  Ells is not only hitting well but with power.  Combined with his 18 SB so far, he is quickly becoming the quintessetial leadoff man.  Theo may have to consider locking him up in a deal similar to what he did for Pedey, Youk, and Lester - all 3 were signed to long-term deals prior to arbitration eligibility.

Speaking of SBs, Ells, Pedey, and Craw-fish have 35 combined thus far.  I recall the days in which the 'Sox might steal 35 all season.  It is such a welcome sight to see such speed in the lineup. 

Craw-fish continues to put his horrendous start being him. 

Sox finally have hit on the right formula - The Boston Globe

The link below contains nice thumbnails on how key 'Sox players have contributed to this turnaround. They seem to have hit their stride, found the groove -- all the cliches.

Sox finally have hit on the right formula - The Boston Globe

Craw-fish season?

Could Craw-fish have turned the corner for the season?  Let's hope that today's 4 for 4 showing will infuse him with confidence and comfort.

Have you all noticed that Salty is batting .240 now?  I watched him behind the plate the other night and he seems quite comfortable in catching Wake.   He is hitting for power lately.  Maybe he truly was a diamond in the rough?

Can't say enough about the job that Scott Achison is doing in relief since being called up from Pawtuckett.  When Jenks comes off the DL, I hope they send down Morales or Albers, recognizing that they both could be out of options and would have to clear waivers.   Of course, Bowden could be sent back down, too.

In short, Theo, keep Achison in Boston.

Injury bug fells Drew again

Fortunately, we have Cam and, in a pinch, Josh Reddick at Pawtucket to play RF. Rumor has it that Dice-K may need the Tommy John procedure? If so, I feel better knowing that Wake can step up to fill that slot in the starting rotation.

Updates on Youkilis and Drew - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

Beckett is back

On Monday night, Buchholz had a solid outing.  Last night, Beckett held Cleveland to 1-run and lowered his ERA to 1.69.  In this day and age, that kind of ERA is outstanding.

Nice contribution from 'Tek.  A-Gonz continues to be a hitting machine.

I just keep wondering when Craw-fish will come to life.

Tough way to lose

When it comes to losing games, I would prefer getting blown out rather than losing late in the game.  Such was the case last night.  Tough loss.

I am beginning to believe that Tito is overworking Bard.  He is a power pitcher who throws in the high 90's. 

"Wake" up call?

With the way Wake pitched last night, I can't help but think that they need to get him into the starting rotation more.  He is such a team guy who has done everything his managers have asked of him since signing a minor league deal with the 'Sox in 1995.  Even then, he was a godsend given how both Clemens and Sele were on the DL for a good portion of that season. 

Nice way for the 'Sox to take the weekend series against the Cubs.  Sorry to see the Byrd beaning.  Hope that he recovers fully and quickly.  

'Sox bats have come to life with the exception of Craw-fish.  Salty seems to be gaining greater confidence all the time.  I was too quick to give up on him!

Where was Bard last night?

As much I would have like to have seen the Bard-Pap combo preserve a 3-1 lead last night, this article reminds of how concerned many were last year of his being over-used.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/

The wheels came off quickly in 8th inning. 

Red Sox transactions in the last 24 hours - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

More on the roster moves. Okey was designated for assignment, too, along with Nava.

Red Sox transactions in the last 24 hours - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

'Sox moves

Several roster moves today.  The one that really caught my eye was leaving Daniel Nava off of the 40-man roster.  He has to clear waivers before making his way back to AAA.   He will always hold sentimental feelings for hitting a grand slam in his first game with the 'Sox.  Regardless of what happens to Daniel, I wish him the best.  Perhaps he can hook up with a team, get steady playing time, and really blossom into an everyday player.

Another walkoff win

Courtesy of Craw-fish.  Though the Bard-Pap closing combo struggled, Craw-fish came through with the game winning RBI.

'Sox are now winning consistently and in so doing, the RedSox.com cites the creation of a team "identity".

'Sox conclude sweep of the Tigers.  Now, the Cubs come into town for a weekend, throwback series.

Was our "Southpaw" at Fenway tonight?

Unlikely heroes

They both have struggled all season.  They both are hitting around .200.  However, tonight both Craw-fish and Salty came through big.

Craw-fish drew a 2-out walk and scored on Salty's "Wall Ball" 2-bagger.  Craw-fish was off at the crack of the bat and never hesitated.  He scored easily from first -- the game's only run.  Nice to have that kind of speed on the basepaths.  BB is just as good as a single in my book.

Uncharacteristically, Leyland erred by keeping in his lefty to face Salty. 

I feel very happy for the both of them -- Salty and Crawfish.  This could help with their self-confidence. 

Another solid outing from Buchholz who continuing to be able to work out of trouble. 

Rich Hill is pitching well

Thanks to that great pitching coach, now Jays manager John Farrell, Hill changed to a 3/4 to sidearm delivery.  He has been effective so far while at MLB level.  As posted previously, a team can never have enough pitching.  It is a great resource to have a farm system stocked with talent to draw from.

Dice-K to DL; Aceves in Red Sox rotation - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

Tonight's rainout at Fenway v. O's has mixed blessings. Extra day for pitchers on DL to get healthy (Lackey and Dice-K). However, 'Sox were hitting their stride. The walkoff win against those O's could be one of those moments when a team can look back and cite it as a turning point in the season.

'Sox have to juggle their starting rotation. Thank goodness for having Wake on staff. Will be interesting to see how Aceves does in a start. Bowden was recalled to take his place in the bullpen. Not sure how Felix D. is doing in AAA. I checked on his status and found this from NESN:

Could we see Felix Doubront up at some point if John Lackey or Daisuke Matsuzaka do not pick it up? And would they just put one of them on the disabled list to make room for Felix? Also, is it confirmed that Felix is on the DL in the minors now?
-- Cody Bedell

Hi Cody, you answered one of your questions already. Doubront is on the DL with a strained groin, so he was not an immediate option when Lackey was placed on the DL on Monday. Tim Wakefield will probably take Lackey's spot in the rotation.

As for Doubront's status going forward, he is a great replacement option when healthy. The problem is, he has had loads of physical issues. You might recall that Doubront was shut down near the end of 2010 with shoulder problems, and then missed most of spring training with elbow tightness. Now the groin issue. He is young and talented and could very well see some action in the majors this year, so long as he maintains some degree of health.

It goes to show that a team can never have enough pitching. Plus, Jenks and Wheeler on the DL.

Dice-K to DL; Aceves in Red Sox rotation - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

Yo, Adrian!

Was the headline in this morning's RedSox.com.  Down 6-0, the 'Sox stunned the dreaded O's by taking a walkoff double from A-Gonz to victory.  Nice comeback!

Aceves pitched 3 solid inning as he and Achison relieved a struggling Dice-K.

Two major accomplishments

With last night's win in the Bronx, our 'Sox swept the Yankees (improving to 5-1 against them this year) and finally reached .500.  Hard to imagine that I would be so excited about them hitting .500 but after the tough start, I feel that they finally made it.  The have at least weathered the storm and now seem to be putting it together. 

'Sox brought out the big bats this weekend and had solid pitching from Buccholz and Beckett (the Killer B's) and Lester toughed it out last night.

Need for Dice-K and Lackey to step up and pitch well.  Hopefully, the extra time spent with Lackey with his mechanics will help -- we'll see. 

Now, let's sweep the O's and keep the winning streak going!

'Sox take the first game

Another solid performance from Buchholz coupled with support from Youk and A-Gonz.  Bard and Pap each gave up a run but 'Sox held on.  A-Gonz seems to be hitting a nice stride.  He is hitting with power to both LF and RF. 

Craw-fish continues to struggle but he is now over the Mendoza line.

Reports/rumors reveal that 'Sox are interested trying to lure one of the Molina brothers out of retirement. 

7-3 Jays

Lackey must be on the mound.  Geez, is this guy ever going to earn his big guaranteed salary? 

So far this season, it clearly has been one of two games forward and three games back -- no consistency.  Right when they seem to be getting it going, they hit a 2-3 game slide. 

Okey and Craw-fish come through

Despite not being able to hold a slim 1-run lead and reward Beckett with a "W", Okey pitched well and Craw-fish drove in the winning run.  Nice way to win.  Plus, 'Sox are now 3 GB.

Apparently, last night's ump called Aceves for two balks during this series.  Last night's call pushed the runner into scoring postion.

Beckett seems to be back.

Wasted effort

Beckett seems to be back.  Pap had the 3rd out down 0-2 and gave up the game-tying hit.  Too bad that Beckett's fine effort could not be saved by Pap.   When you have the tying run at second and the hitter down 0-2, time to apply the knockout punch. 

Time to re-stock the farm system

Having traded 3  top prospects for A-Gonz, Theo must restock the system with solid prospects.  The list of picks who have made it to the Majors is quite impressive.  Theo seems to have the picks to make an important re-stocking step. 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2011/05/epstein_on_the_2.html

Are we starting to see consistency?

Saturday saw a gutsy performance from Buchholz, re-entering the game despite a several hour rain delay.  Sunday, Dice-K had a good performance.  I see that A-Gonz is starting to hit to the Green Monster much like the way that antother lefty hitter by the name of Fred Lynn used to.  Craw-fish is beginning to create some distance from the Mendoza line.

Jenks and Wheeler to the DL as well as Scutaro.  Will be interesting to see how Tito inserts SS-in waiting Iglesias into the lineup.

Rich Hill and Albers pitched well over the weekend. 

Maybe it is beginning to come together? 

Back in the cellar (again)

So far this season, the 'Sox have had stops and starts.  Right when we think that they are getting into gear, they hit a rough patch.  They have not been able, yet, to achieve any consistency.  It has been a bit frustrating to see them so struggle so much given the talent that they have. 

Seeing Jenks and Wheeler go to the DL so early in the season is a concern.  More of a concern has been their performance so far. 

I wonder when this team will hit its stride for 2011?