Let The Red Sox Rebuild Begin As They Flip Brandon Workman & Heath Hembree To Phillies

 

    There is a simple reason why I haven't mentioned the Red Sox once since their truncated 60-game regular season began on July 24: they are absolutely terrible but that's the whole point. Despite tonight's 8-5 win at Baltimore (12-14) which extended Boston's (9-18) season-high win streak to a pathetic three games, they are no doubt tanking to try and "earn" the No. 1 draft pick in the 2021 MLB Draft (something which the franchise has never had). There were rumors of a Red Sox-Phillies trade in the works this afternoon and with the Trade Deadline coming on August 31, they wasted no time getting it done this evening: Boston dealt closer Brandon Workman and set-up guy Heath Hembree to Philadelphia (9-13) for right-handed pitcher Nick Pivetta and minor league right-hander Connor Seabold. 

    Vanderbilt stud starting pitcher Kumar Rocker (what a name!) is expected to be the next top overall pick and the Red Sox are in desperate need for starting pitching after David Price was traded to the Dodgers, Rick Porcello signed with the Mets and Eduardo Rodriguez got Covid-19 then opted out of this cursed season with understandable worries about a previously diagnosed heart condition. We can all agree that Boston's new chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom has inherited a tricky situation. Of course, unlike lame-duck manager poor Ron Roenicke who will be out of here next season (with Alex Cora's triumphent return from suspension?), Bloom won't be going anywhere else for awhile. After all, he's 37 and his work making Tampa Bay a contender year after year on their shoestring budget proved that the Yale alum knows a thing or two.

    Workman is the only real notable name of this group, unless Seabold becomes something but he's probably (at least) a few years from making a real impact in MLB. Brandon was a surprisingly key part of Boston's 2013 World Series champion as a rookie then he missed 2015 and 2016 following Tommy John surgery. Props for him though for sticking with his rehab when many would have given up as he became an important piece of the Red Sox bullpen the last four seasons including the 2018 World Series champs. His value only increased in 2019 as he proved he could be a closer in the majors-something the Phillies desperately need right now-with a 10-1 record, 16 saves, 1.88 ERA and 104 strikeouts/45 walks in 71.2 innings. 

    Also a World Seris champion in 2018, Hembree had been here for longer than you probably think since he was a part of the Jake Peavy (remember him?) trade to the Giants way back in July 2014 at the Trade Deadline. In seven seasons with the Red Sox, he combined to go 15-5 with two saves, a 3.70 ERA and 270 strikeouts/97 walks in 257.2 innings pitched. Pivetta is 27 and his career record-mostly as a starting pitcher-is 19-30 with a 5.50 ERA. The Phillies have been awful for most of his four seasons there but he struggled so much that they demoted him to the bullpen and he had already been sent to their alternate site this year after three miserable appearances where he had a 15.88 ERA! Yikes. I won't waste your time or mine talking about Seabold since who has any clue whether a prospect will ever pan out in baseball? 

    I read far-fetched stories this week about the Red Sox possibly trading J.D. Martinez or god forbid Xander Boegarts. Martinez is an incredible hitter but that's really all he can do on a baseball field and he actually turned 33 today so his trade value isn't nearly as high as you would assume given his amazing stats the last few years. Bogey is the face of the franchise in his prime so I would puke if he changes teams anytime soon ala Mookie Betts. A player like outfielders Jackie Bradley Jr. or Andrew Benintendi (who is currently on IL with a fake injury to cover for how hopeless he's been at the plate in 2020) make way more sense to be the next players to be dealt from Boston. You know that Chaim can't wait to have some more deals too since that is specifically why he is here.

      

    

    

    

In His 1st Year on the Ballot, Pedro Martinez (91.1%) Cruises Into Baseball's Hall of Fame

I am fairly certain that I will never see a Red Sox pitcher as dominant as Pedro Martinez was in his prime. Therefore, today became the perfect time to reminisce about Martinez's incredible career in Boston (1998-2004) since he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame along with Randy Johnson, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio.

One of the great things about Pedro is that he has so much personality and he was so lights out for long stretches that while we all remember particular special moments (17 Ks/one-hitter vs. Yankees, 1999 All-Star Game, coming out of the bullpen to beat Cleveland in playoffs, winning 2004 World Series) we can each cherish specific starts or less heralded occasions that were still so memorable to each of us.

Fresh off his Cy Young award with the Montreal Expos in 1997, Martinez was part of a blockbuster trade to Boston for Carl Pavano and Tony Armas. Haha what year do you think that those guys will be elected to Cooperstown? He was a smash success immediately with the Red Sox (which was never easy to do especially back then before they had broken their absurd World Series drought). After going to two All-Star Games with Montreal, he made four as a Red Sox and picked up back-to-back Cy Youngs in 1999 and 2000. If baseball writers hadn't been so stubborn and backwards thinking (crazy, I know), he would have won AL MVP in 1999 as well but he finished second to Ivan Rodriguez.

Pitching in the height of the steroid era, Pedro put together some of the most unbelievable seasons that have ever occurred in modern times. 1999's numbers don't even seem real: 23-4, 2.07 ERA, 0.923 WHIP and 313 strikeouts in 213.1 innings. 2002 was his other 20-win season (20-4) and he never suffered more than nine losses in a campaign for Boston. His 1.74 ERA in 2000 is insane and probably my favorite stat out of his million impressive marks. The career line: 219-100 with 2.93 ERA, 1.054 WHIP and 3154 strikeouts.

Not surprisingly for such a small guy (5-foot-11, 170 pounds) with many innings on his fragile body, he started to break down while he was with the Red Sox in the last few years. Other than his freakishly long fingers and extra greasy hair that he really let grow out at the end, there was nothing about him that made you think "genetic freak," that is before he unleashed a fastball in the upper 90s or made your knees bend with a sick curveball. Still, the team managed to give him enough breaks to last for the postseason which he reached four times with Boston. He was 6-2 in the playoffs as a Red Sox and how fitting that his last game for the team was Game 4 of the 2004 World Series in St. Louis where Boston broke their 86-year "curse" by sweeping the Cardinals.

After that, he signed as a free agent with the Mets and played there for four injury-plagued seasons then finished his career in 2009 with the Phillies who ironically enough lost to the Yankees in the World Series. Few probably remember that his MLB career actually began with two years in LA as a Dodger (where his older brother Ramon also pitched) before four years in Montreal where he became a star. Still, I'm sure there is no doubt that he'll wear a Red Sox hat in the Hall of Fame and when he makes what's sure to be an incredible speech, he has to talk mostly about his experience in Boston.

To those that are too young to know or who didn't feel it first-hand, attending a game that Pedro pitched really was like going to a favorite band's concert or a great party. You never knew what was going to happen but you were pretty sure that it was going to be memorable and possibly historic. Add that to the urgency of a team and fan base that was so desperate for a World Series crown and you can understand why there won't be another Pedro in my lifetime. Still, I feel so lucky to have grown up with this icon on my favorite baseball team and cherish all the memories that he brought at a very formidable time in my life. PS, somebody book me a hotel room on July 25 (the night before) in Cooperstown, I need to be there for that speech!

Tweet

Morales Wins 2013 Red Sox Debut, Boston Earns Split With Philadelphia (Twice)

He can never stay healthy for very long but as he showed last season when he was forced into the starting rotation, Franklin Morales (1-0) can pitch. He made his 2013 Red Sox debut tonight and it was a good one (5 innings, 2 earned runs, 4 hits, 2 strikeouts, 2 walks) as Boston (33-22 overall, 16-10 away) beat Philadelphia (26-28 overall, 12-13 home) 9-2 at Citizens Bank Park in their series finale.

These teams won't see each other again this season, unless they meet in the World Series (dies laughing) in October. They each won a game at home and a game on the road in this weird four-game interleague home-and-home stretch.

Jacoby Ellsbury (3 for 4, walk, run) set a Red Sox franchise record with five stolen bases. It's like he suddenly woke up last week and realized how much money he's losing by performing like an average player. Contract years for all!

Like their win vs. the Phillies on Memorial Day, the Red Sox jumped all over a helpless rookie pitcher-in this case Jonathan Pettibone (3-1). Boston scored four runs in the first, one in the sixth, one in the seventh and three in the ninth to make it look even more impressive.

Ellsbury scored on Dustin Pedroia's ground out, Mike Carp had an RBI single and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (run) added a two-run single for the 4-0 Red Sox lead.

Delmon Young had Philadelphia's only highlight of the game-a two-run homer in their first at bat. Jonny Gomes had a pinch hit homer in the sixth (his third homer of the season) and David Ortiz followed suit with his own solo home run in the seventh (his ninth of the season). Stephen Drew's ground out drove in a run then Salty and Jose Iglesias (2 hits) had back-to-back RBI doubles as it got out of hand for the Phillies in the ninth.

For the first time in two months, the Red Sox will square off with the Yankees (30-23 overall) this weekend at Yankee Stadium. Boston took two of three in the Bronx to start this season and they catch the Yanks at a good time considering New York has dropped five in a row including four straight to the Mets. Hahahaha!

Tomorrow night (7:05, NESN) Jon Lester (6-1) faces C.C. Sabathia (4-4), Saturday night (7:15, Fox) Felix Doubront (3-2) takes on Phil Hughes (2-3)-that one might take six hours-and on Sunday Night Baseball (8:05, ESPN) Clay Buchholz (7-0) is tentatively scheduled to meet Hiroki Kuroda (6-3). New England is supposed to have dog days of summer type weather this weekend so why not be treated to Red Sox-Yankees games which always seem to last forever.

Tweet


Follow @RichSlate

"Dear God, I Think That's Alfredo Aceves' Music!" (Jim Ross Voice)

At this moment, it's all good on Yawkey Way. The Red Sox debuted hideous new camoflauge jerseys & hats in honor of Memorial Day (cha-ching) and Alfredo Aceves had a solid start (shocking I know) in a 8-3 win over the Phillies at Fenway Park. With Boston's (32-20 overall, 17-11 home) victory over Philadelphia (24-27 overall, 13-15 away) in its first interleague game of the season, the Red Sox regained first place in the AL East since the Yankees fell to the Mets.

Boston has won four games in a row, five of its last six and 10 of its last 13 to go a season-high 12 games over .500. With Clay Buchholz temporarily sidelined, Aceves (2-1) stepped in and pitched six innings, allowing one earned run on seven hits with four strikeouts and three walks. Philadelphia is a bit of a mess but anytime Aceves can pitch that well, you have to be thrilled since it doesn't happen that often anymore.

Poor rookie Tyler Cloyd (1-1) was a sacrificial lamb for the Phillies. In 2.1 innings, he allowed six earned runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and a walk. Thanks for showing up Tyler.

Boston had 15 hits, led by Jacoby Ellsbury (3 hits, 2 doubles, run, RBI), Mike Napoli (homer, double, 2 RBIs, 2 runs, walk), Stephen Drew (2 hits, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, 2 walks), Jarrod Saltalamacchia (2 hits, RBI) and David Ortiz (2 hits, double, walk, RBI).

Not sure if you've noticed yet but Dustin Pedroia is playing at an MVP level and yes, I know it's still only May so who cares? He hit a two-run homer around Peskey's Pole in the first inning (his third homer of the season) and two batters later, Napoli followed with an opposite field bomb of his own (his eighth of the season) for a 3-0 Red Sox advantage.

Something called an Erik Kratz hit a solo homer in the third inning but that was Aceves' only real mistake. Boston added three runs in the home half of the frame on Napoli's RBI double, Drew's RBI single and Ellsbury's RBI double. Salty had an RBI single in the fifth and another run scored on the play thanks to a Phillies error.

Domonic Brown hit a two-run homer in the eighth for Philadelphia and Drew rounded out the long but satisfying game with a bases loaded walk later in the eighth.

The struggling Ryan Dempster (2-5) faces a big challenge tomorrow night (7:10 p.m., NESN) in the form or Cliff Lee (5-2) who is still one of the best pitchers in MLB. It's the last game of this home-and-home set at Fenway, meaning under the superior AL rules. Get ready to see Ortiz in the field starting on Wednesday along with the pitchers being forced to bat!

UPDATE 5/28: Franklin Morales was activated and Aceves was sent back to Pawtucket, thanks for playing Alfredo!

Tweet


Follow @RichSlate

The Red Sox Are Giving Out 3-Year Deals Worth $39 Million Like They're Going Out Of Style

The Red Sox are certainly enjoying their time in Nashville for MLB's Winter Meetings. A day after they signed Mike Napoli, Boston inked outfielder Shane Victorino to the exact same deal: three years for $39 million.

Whereas the Napoli signing was almost a foregone conclusion that had been talked about for weeks, Victorino at least initially is way more surprising since it felt like they swooped in and got him in the last few days. After playing the bulk of his career with the Phillies (2005-12), he was moved at the trade deadline last season to the Dodgers.

Combined in 154 games last season (101 in Philadelphia, 53 in Los Angeles), Victorino had the worst year of his career: .255/.321 OBP/.383 SLG with 11 homers, 55 RBIs, 39 stolen bases, 29 doubles, seven triples and 72 runs. Coming off that scares me but his history shows that he's a high quality player: two All-Star game appearances (2009 and 2011) plus three Gold Gloves (2008, 2009 and 2010).

The funny thing is that Victorino has been known primarily as a center fielder and lead-off hitter (he hits both ways). Hmmm, what about Jacoby Ellsbury? For now, the Red Sox are saying that Shane will play the tricky right field at Fenway Park but I'll believe it when I see it. Ellsbury is a free agent after this season and since Scott Boras is his agent, most believe there is no chance he returns to Boston. So why not trade him now for something they can use immediately (pitching!)? Plus, it would be beyond dumb to let him walk in free agency, only to receive a draft pick. He is also coming off a brutal season but he was the runner-up to the AL MVP in 2011 plus he's still young so he has a long fruitful career ahead of him.

Like Napoli, Johnny Gomes and David Ross, Victorino is known around baseball as a veteran leader and a winner. Napoli went to the 2011 World Series with Texas but Victorino trumps that with a World Series title in 2008 with Philadelphia and they returned to the Fall Classic the next season but lost to the Yankees. That is something intangible that the Red Sox have been sorely lacking for years. The most important thing is always production on the field but the hope is that these guys can give them plenty of both-leadership and numbers.

Shane just turned 32 and next spring he will enter his 10th year in MLB. That's plenty of mileage (1076 games and 4295 plate appearances) for a guy that plays such a physical style and he's only 5-foot-9 for what that's worth. If he sticks around, Ellsbury could certainly learn from Victorino about durability. The Flyin' Hawaiian (maybe the best nickname in MLB) has played at least 131 games in his seven full seasons.

For his career, he's scored 616 runs, had 1060 hits including 195 doubles, 65 triples, 90 homers and 409 RBIs with 201 stolen bases. He's a .275/.341 OBP/.770 SLG which is very respectable. He is an interesting guy that plays an exciting, hard-nosed style. So long as he returns to his normal level and not something like last season, Red Sox fans should grow to love him in a matter of mere weeks in 2013.

Tweet


Follow @RichSlate

The Beat Goes On: Red Sox Clinch Another Series Win In Philadelphia

Even though they're in different leagues, the Red Sox and Phillies play basically every season during interleague play and Boston hadn't lost a series at Citizens Bank Park since 2003.

This season was no different as the Red Sox (20-21, 11-10 away) clinched the series (2-1) this afternoon with a 5-1 win over the Phillies (21-21, 10-11), who are really missing Ryan Howard and Chase Utley's big bats in their ravaged lineup.

Boston has won eight of their last 10 games so perhaps, now is the time they finally start putting things together and beating quality opponents. This series was nice but truthfully, Philadephia has been just as mediocre as Boston so I don't read too much into the final result.

Showing what a mess the Phillies offense is, Josh Beckett (4-4) was able to completely dominate them. The Texas Toughguy went 7.2 innings, allowing one earned run on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks. His stuff looked good today with 22 called strikes and 12 swinging strikes.

Before the game I felt this was a layup for Philadelphia with Cliff Lee (0-2) on the mound but I guess it was a classic case of a reverse lock. Lee went seven innings but he was hit hard: he allowed five earned runs on nine hits with six strikeouts and a walk.

Mike Aviles (2 hits, 2 RBIs) was the unlikely offensive star of the weekend for the Red Sox, he homered in all three games, including leadoff shots last night and today (first guy to do that for Boston since Harry Hooper in 1913). Adrian Gonzalez had two hits and scored a run while Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit the third longest home run (466 feet) so far in MLB this season.

Aviles' leadoff homer in the first was his eighth of the season. He added an RBI single in the second before Salty's (7th of the season) moonshot to center in the third inning, a three-run jack.

Philly's lone run came in the eighth on Juan Pierre's sacrifice fly. On a day when Beckett was great and Lee was average, it only made sense (in bizarro world) that David Ortiz played very well defensively at first base. Vicente Padilla relieved Beckett and walked Hunter Pence to load the bases but retired Ty Wigginton on a grounder to second.

After getting humbled by the Baltimore Orioles (27-15, first place in the AL East) in a three-game sweep May 4-6 at Fenway, the Red Sox have a chance to exact some revenge as they travel to Camden Yards for a three-game set beginning tomorrow night.

Clay Buchholz (4-2) faces Tommy Hunter (2-2) tomorrow (7:05 p.m., NESN), Felix Doubront (4-1) gets Brian Matusz (3-4) on Tuesday night (7:05 p.m., NESN) and Daniel Bard (3-5) opposes Jake Arrieta (2-4) on Wednesday afternoon (12:35 p.m., NESN).

At 3-2 so far on this eight-game road trip, Boston has extra motivation since they finally get a day off (Beckett will probably shit his camo pants) on Thursday after 20 games in 20 days.

Tweet


Follow @RichSlate

Red Sox Snap Phillies' 6-Game Win Streak Thanks To 4 Homers

The Red Sox survived some shaky pitching to outlast the Phillies 7-5 tonight at Citizens Bank Park in the middle game of the interleague series.

Jon Lester (3-3) gutted out six innings for Boston (19-21, 10-10 away) which is much more than Joe Blanton (4-4) gave Philadelphia (21-20, 10-10 home). The Red Sox snapped the Phillies' six-game win streak and recovered nicely from Friday night's 6-4 loss.

Lester allowed four earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and a walk. Blanton has pitched well this season for the Phillies but in my eyes, he's still the same soft-tossing fat toad that used to play in Oakland. In 4.1 innings, he allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits with four strikeouts.

The ball kept going out of the park at an alarming rate but luckily, Boston hit four of the five home runs-all off Blanton. Three of the four Red Sox bombs were solo shots, something that they need to work on (hitting them with runners on base).

Bobby Valentine mixed and matched his bullpen once again but it worked. Vicente Padilla was charged with a run but Rich Hill got his one out and Alfredo Aceves notched four outs for his ninth save of the season.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia (3 hits, 2 runs) showed no ill-effects from the 12 stitches he received on his left ear Friday night. David Ortiz (2 hits, 2 RBIs) and Will Middlebrooks (2 hits) also had multiple hits for Boston.

Philadelphia amassed 15 hits but they were only 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position. John Mayberry Jr. (3 hits, run, walk), Shane Victorino (3 hits, RBI) and Hector Luna (3 hits, run, RBI) all had three hits while Ty Wigginton (2 hits, run) and Freddy Galvis (2 hits, 2 RBIs, run) put up a pair of hits.

Mike Aviles led off the game with his seventh home run of the season. Boston added a pair of runs in the second inning. Victorino got the Phillies on the board in the third with an RBI double before Salty (6th of the season) and Middlebrooks (5th of the season) hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth.

Luna had an RBI single in the fourth and Galvis (3rd of the season) hit his second homer in as many nights, a two-run shot that cut it to 5-4.

Ortiz's (9th of the season) two-run homer in the fifth were the insurance runs the Red Sox needed as the Phillies scored once more in the eighth on Jimmy Rollins's infield single.

Josh Beckett (3-4) faces Cliff Lee (0-1) tomorrow afternoon (1:35 p.m., NESN) in the series finale. I'd be shocked if Lee doesn't pick up his first win of the 2012 season; there's no chance Beckett doesn't allow at least two or three homers.

UPDATE 5/20: The Red Sox recalled outfielder Che-Hsaun Lin and optioned first baseman Mauro Gomez to Pawtucket.

Tweet


Follow @RichSlate

To Nobody's Surprise, Daniel Bard Sure Is A Mediocre Starting Pitcher

When will the Red Sox give up on the Daniel Bard as a starter experiment? It has been clear since day one that he's nothing more than average in this new role and he's maddeningly inconsistent to top it all off.

Boston (18-21, 9-10 away) spotted Philadelphia (21-19, 10-9 home) a 4-0 lead in the first inning and with Cole Hamels (6-1) on the mound, it's no wonder that the Phillies held on for a 6-4 win in the series and interleague opener tonight at Citizens Bank Park.

It was the sixth straight win for the Phillies and Hamels as well who improved to 4-0 against the Red Sox in five career starts.

Hamels went seven innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits with nine strikeouts and a walk. Bard (3-5) lasted five innings, allowing five earned runs on three hits with three strikeouts and five walks.

The Red Sox hit three home runs but unfortunately they were all of the solo variety. The Phillies hit two homers but they also did a better job of hitting with guys on base.

Of course Jonathan Papelbon had to get the easiest save opportunity possible in his first game back against his former club. In pinning down his MLB-leading 12th save of the season, Papelbon faced the murderer's row of Kelly Shoppach, Daniel Nava, Marlon Byrd and Nick Punto. Shoppach singled but Papelbon retired Nava and Byrd before striking out the overmatched Punto (why is he here?) to end it.

There was some controversy in the ninth on Byrd's ground out which seemed to be a bang bang play at first base. He was called out and this caused Bobby Valentine to run out of the dugout and freak out (complete with hopping and the umpire accidentally spitting his gum at him). Bobby received the first ejection of his Red Sox career (that looks destined to be one year or less).

Bard's nightmare first inning included a two-run single by Carlos Ruiz (2 hits, run, stolen base), a sacrifice fly from Ty Wigginton and John Mayberry Jr's RBI double.

Boston chipped away at the 4-0 hole with a solo homer by Mike Aviles (6th of the season) in the third and Nava's sacrifice fly in the fourth.

Hunter Pence (10th of the season) hit a solo home run in the fifth for the Phillies but Cody Ross (2 hits, 2 runs) responded with his own solo blast in the sixth and Adrian Gonzalez broke his month-long homerless drought with a solo home run of his own in the eighth.

Citizens Bank Park is still a Little League Park, aka Wiliamsport, as evidenced by light-hitting Freddy Galvis's (2nd of the season) solo shot in the eighth against Franklin Morales that gave Philly an insurance run.

In addition to the loss, Boston suffered two freak injuries as Jarrod Saltalamacchia was cut on his ear by the baseball when it deflected off Ty Wiggington. Salty had to leave the game in the fifth inning and go to the hospital to check for a concussion. Ross fouled the ball off his foot in the eighth and he had to be replaced. Their status is up in the air for Saturday's game.

Speaking of that contest (7:15 p.m., FOX) Jon Lester (2-3) takes on Joe Blanton (4-3). This is the one pitching matchup in the three-game series that at least on paper favors the Red Sox so they need to find a way to beat Blanton and the Phils.

Tweet


Follow @RichSlate

Jonathan Papelbon Ships Off To The Philadelphia Phillies

It was common knowledge that Jonathan Papelbon would enter free agency after the 2011 season and see what the market dictated for the best closer in Boston Red Sox history.

Well the offseason has only just begun but Papelbon agreed to a four-year, $50 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. Including vesting options, it is the biggest contract ever bestowed on a reliever in MLB history.

I'm not delusional enough of a honk to say that he's the best closer in baseball, Mariano Rivera is still alive as far as I know, but you have to admit that Pap had an incredible seven-year run (six years as the closer) in Boston.

A 2003 Red Sox draft pick that went to Mississippi State and a four-time American League all-star (2006-09), Papelbon was the rare guy that didn't shy away from the big spot and most importantly, stepped up in the most important games. He had 35+ saves from 2006-10 and over 30 saves every season (2006-11) that he was the closer.

He leaves Boston with 219 saves, a 2.33 career ERA with 1.018 WHIP. He notched seven saves in the playoffs, including four during the 2007 World Series championship season. He wasn't the same guy after 2009 and suffered his worst season in 2010 (3.90 ERA, 1.269 WHIP). Credit to him though for bouncing back nicely in 2011 (2.90 ERA, 0.933 WHIP).

You can't blame him for wanting to cash in and see what a change of scenery brings. I respect that he went to the Phillies, the best team in MLB last season before they choked in the playoffs. It shows that he does truly care about winning too, not just grabbing every last cent.

Papelbon was one of the few players on the 2011 Red Sox that actually stood up and took his medicine while the September collapse went on. Unlike some who hid behind chicken and beer (Lackey, Beckett, Lester) or blamed God's will (Adrian Gonzalez), Papelbon said he was the only one to bash after he blew a key game to the Orioles at Fenway.

This leaves a huge hole in the back of the bullpen for the Red Sox. Daniel Bard proved last season that he's not ready to be an elite setup man let alone a closer. They'll have to look outside the orginazation and sign a free agent. It better be Heath Bell and not some scrub like Ryan Madson, Joe Nathan, Francisco Cordero, etc.

His Shipping Up to Boston entrance was certainly played out, despite what the pink hats will tell you. The stare into home plate was lame and when he tried to be too clever or funny during interviews, it never worked. At heart, Pap is just a simple country boy but most importantly, he is a damn good closer that got it done in one of baseball's toughest markets for years.

Good luck Papelbon, we know you'll do well in Philly.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

Red Sox Are 1-0 In The Post-Mike Cameron Era

Well I guess we all know what was holding the Boston Red Sox back this last week (losing six of seven): Mike Cameron.

Haha just kidding but it was still nice to see Red Sox GM Theo Epstein and Co. finally swallow their pride and designate Cameron for assignment. I'm not even trying to be funny when I say I can't remember one highlight from his 1.5 seasons in Boston.

Speaking of salvaging pride, the Red Sox (46-34) finally decided to show up against the Philadelphia Phillies (51-31) yesterday afternoon and it resulted in a 5-2 Red Sox win at Citizens Bank Park, averting a sweep in the "World Series preview."

Jon Lester (10-4) pitched like an ace, going seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks with five strikeouts.

Fortune was also on Boston's side as Phillies starter Cole Hamels left after four innings due to an injury to his right hand (Adrian Gonzalez's smoked a line drove off it). Hamels only gave up two hits and struck out two in what was shaping up to be a sweet pitcher's duel.

Instead, Phillies relievers David Herndon (0-2) allowed three earned runs on five hits in two innings and teammate Drew Carpenter allowed two earned runs on four hits in two innings.

Boston got its first two runs in the fifth as Drew Sutton (2 hits, run, RBI) and Jacoby Ellsbury (3 hits, RBI) each had RBI singles.

Jason Varitek hit a solo homer (his fourth of the season) in the sixth before Dustin Pedroia (Laser Show! His seventh of the season) and Varitek went back-to-back in the eighth. Josh Reddick (2 hits, run) almost made it three in a row as he flew out to deep right.

Daniel Bard recorded a 1-2-3 eighth on eight pitches (including a strikeout) which is pretty damn impressive.

Bobby Jenks came on to start the ninth with a 5-0 lead but clearly that's not enough for his fat ass. He promptly recorded one out, walked one, gave up a hit then a two-run bomb to Ryan Howard before he was mercifully taken out by Terry Francona. Hopefully a DFA is in his near future, he's beyond useless now.

Jonathan Papelbon got the last two outs for his 15th save of the season.

Boston wraps up its nine-game road trip and interleague play with three games in Houston this weekend. The Astros are the worst team in baseball so nothing less than two of three is acceptable for the Red Sox. Tonight, Tim Wakefield opposes Bud Norris.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

The Philadelphia Phillies Are The Best Team In Baseball, No Doubt About It

Well the Boston Red Sox are so desperate for runs that they put their franchise player (Adrian Gonzalez) in right field (for only the second time in his MLB career) just so they could have his bat and David Ortiz's (first base) in the same lineup.

All the panic and worry by Red Sox fans and media proved to be a joke (no surprise) as both managed to live through nine innings at their respective positions.

The bigger problem is that the team is struggling big time, losing 2-1 last night to the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

The Red Sox (45-34) have lost six of their last seven interleague games and they are in desperate need of a win today to turn things around.

Phillies (51-30) rookie Vance Worley (3-1) wasn't as good as Cliff Lee the night before but he still submitted an outstanding outing. He went seven innings, allowing one earned run on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

Another rookie Michael Stutes pitched a 1-2-3 eighth while Antonio Bastardo had a clean ninth for his third save of the season.

The ironic part about the loss was that Red Sox starter John Lackey (5-7) had one of his best starts ever for Boston. He went 7.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on eight hits with a walk and five strikeouts. He was pulled at 90 pitches and for once, I agreed with him that he should have stayed in there. Luckily Franklin Morales came on to retire Ryan Howard on a deep fly ball to center (with Chase Utley on third) to end the eighth.

Raul Ibanez (3 for 3, 2 RBIs, run) provided all the offense Philadelphia needed as he drove in Shane Victorino with an RBI single in the second and broke a 1-1 tie with a solo homer in the seventh. Ibanez was familiar with Lackey and had much success against him during their AL West days when he was on the Mariners and Lackey was on the Angels.

Josh Reddick (2 hits) was the only Red Sox with multiple hits as they were limited to five as a team. Lackey had the only RBI as he crushed an RBI double to center in the fifth to tie it at 1-1.

Two of MLB's best lefties and pitchers, Jon Lester and Cole Hamels, are set to go this afternoon in the series finale. Boston needs a win to salvage something from this stop.

Ortiz is out of the lineup again while Kevin Youkilis is out with a foot injury (getting X-Rays). The best news is that the team just designated Mike Cameron for assignment; his two years in Boston have been nothing short of a complete joke. Who thought he would have any success? He's the definition of washed up, good riddance Cammy.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

Cliff Lee Is a Very Bad Man

The beginning of yesterday's "World Series preview" between the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies was more like a prize fight.

In other words, it didn't live up to the hype as one side basically knocked out the other without really breaking a sweat which is precisely why I could give two shits about boxing (well that and the ridiculous pay per view prices).

Cliff Lee threw his third consecutive shutout (really) as the Phillies (50-30) rolled 5-0 over the Red Sox (45-33) at Citizens Bank Park.

Boston lost for the fifth time in its last six games, falling 1.5 games behind the Yankees in the AL East while the Rays are creeping up behind them (only 1 game back). The team has scored only 14 runs in its last six games meaning that David Ortiz is likely to start at first base with Adrian Gonzalez in right field (haha).

Philadelphia extended their MLB-best record, including a ridiculous 31-13 clip at home, while staying 4.5 games ahead of Atlanta in the NL East.

Lee (9-5) proved why he's the best left-hander in baseball and easily one of the top starting pitchers. He allowed only two hits with two walks and five strikeouts, throwing 112 pitches (71 for strikes).

Josh Beckett (6-3) couldn't match Lee's superb stuff as he went six innings, allowing five earned runs on five hits with a walk and a strikeout.

The Phillies crushed a pair of two-run bombs off Beckett: one by rookie Domonic Brown in the second and another by Shane Victorino.

As if he didn't have enough highlights last night, Lee scored Brown in the fifth with a deep sacrifice fly. It reminded me of a Little League player that dominates in every way possible. He got a standing ovation for the RBI and earlier in the game when he almost beat out an infield hit. Mercy.

Tonight figures to be much longer (last night was two hours and 37 minutes) and ugly as John Lackey opposes Phillies rookie Vance Worley. This might be the old reverse lock where you know Lackey will get shelled but then he pitches a gem but I wouldn't count on that. I get the feeling that he'll got rocked and leave after a few innings, call me an optimist.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

Interleague Baseball: Boston Vs. Philadelphia, The Definitive Breakdown

Any blogger living in their mother's basement or Red Sox beat reporter can give a simple breakdown of the Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies series which begins tonight at Citizen's Bank Park.

It's a possible World Series preview (fingers crossed) so it deserves more than a simple player by player matchup. Nope, with a best friend from college that hails from suburban Philadelphia and an ex-girlfriend from South Jersey, I feel like I'm better suited than most to compare and contrast these cities, fan bases, food, universities, etc.

The Red Sox check in at 45-32, half a game behind the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East.

The Phillies have the best record in MLB, 49-30, and they lead the National League East by 4.5 games.

Best local food: Cheesesteaks (Phi) vs. Clam Chowder (Bos)
Everybody does cheesesteaks but they're truly a delicacy in Philly. Boston's clam chowder is delicious but there's only so much of it you can possibly eat.
Edge: Phillies.

Tonight is Josh Beckett (6-2) vs. Cliff Lee (8-5). Tomorrow night is John Lackey (5-6) vs. Vance Worley (2-1) and Thursday afternoon is Jon Lester (9-4) vs. Cole Hamels (9-4). There's something for everyone as the series opener and finale promise to be likely pitcher's duels between some of the best pitchers in the game. Tomorrow will probably be a shootout as both pitchers will get shelled.

Catchers: Carlos Ruiz (Phi) vs. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Bos)
Ruiz is better although Salty has come on after a disastrous start to the 2011 season.
Edge: Phillies

Home Parks: Citizens Bank Park (Phi) vs. Fenway Park (Bos)
Both are hitters park, no questions asked but at least Fenway isn't a complete launching pad (other than the Green Monster). Citizens Bank is a glorified Little League World Series field but it's a modern stadium that's much more comfortable than the theme park known as Fenway.
Edge: Fenway for players, Citizens Bank for fans

1st base: Ryan Howard (Phi) vs. Adrian Gonzalez (Bos)
Two of the best first basemen in baseball, both can hit homers and extra base hits every time they come to the plate. However, Gonzalez is a more complete player (Gold Glover) and doesn't have as many holes in his swing.
Edge: Red Sox

Local Beers: Yuengling (Phi) vs. Sam Adams (Bos)
Two of my favorites so it's impossible to choose one over the other.
Edge: Push

2nd base: Chase Utley (Phi) vs. Dustin Pedroia (Bos)
Again two of the best at their respective position. Utley missed most of the season so far with an injury but he's back and seems to be himself again. Pedroia has gotten off to somewhat of a slow start but he is the heart and soul of the Red Sox.
Edge: Push

Overrated summer destinations: Jersey Shore (Phi) vs. Cape Cod (Bos)
Each have their charms but the traffic going to the Cape is brutal. Yet I can't choose the home of MTV's Jersey Shore over any other place in the world. A toxic dump that deserves to be paved over immediately.
Edge: Red Sox

Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins (Phi) vs. Marco Scutaro (Bos)
Probably the biggest positional mismatch. Rollins is an All-Star while Scutaro is a journeyman in what has been a revolving door for Boston since Nomar Garciaparra was traded to the Cubs in 2004.
Edge: Phillies

Ivy League Universities: UPenn (Phi) vs. Harvard (Bos)
Let's be honest, I wouldn't have had a prayer to get into either one but that won't stop me from saying Harvard-the World's Greatest University-is light years ahead of UPenn.
Edge: Red Sox

3rd base: Placido Polanco (Phi) vs. Kevin Youkilis (Bos)
Polanco is a solid pro, good in the field and at the plate but Youk is a little bit better in both ways.
Edge: Red Sox

Trademark movies: Rocky (Phi) vs. Good Will Hunting (Bos)
Absolute classics and two of my favorites of all-time. Still, I grew up around Boston and I'm not a working class Italian boxer.
Edge: Red Sox

Left field: Raul Ibanez (Phi) vs. Darnell McDonald (Bos)
This is a mess since Carl Crawford is on the DL for the Red Sox. Ibanez is washed up but McDonald hasn't had a pulse this season.
Edge: Phillies

Top musicians: The Roots (Phi) vs. Aerosmith (Bos)
Ugh, for a city that has a great music scene, Boston falls way short in this category. Unless you're a middle-aged dirtbag living in the North or South Shore, Aerosmith is a joke these days. Roots all day.
Edge: Phillies

Center field: Shane Victorino (Phi) vs. Jacoby Ellsbury (Bos)
Two of the most dynamic leadoff hitters in MLB. Electric is the best way to describe both. They have each earned All-Star spots if they keep up their fine play.
Edge: Push

Famous chicks: Heather Mitts (Phi) vs. Maria Menounos (Bos)
With my apologies to the fine people in the Keystone State, I couldn't think of any natives that are famous for their beauty. I'm sure I'm overlooking some. So give me Medford Maria in a heartbeat.
Edge: Red Sox

Right field: Dominic Brown (Phi) vs. Josh Reddick (Bos)
Two young guys that haven't proven much at the Major League level yet. Brown is the more hyped prospect but so far in a limited role, Reddick has been better.
Edge: Red Sox

Managers: Charlie Manuel (Phi) vs. Terry Francona (Bos)
Francona is a former Phillies manager that had no success in the City of Brotherly Love. Manuel is a lovable redneck. They're both baseball lifers.
Edge: Push

With no DH, David Ortiz is sitting to start tonight although Twitter is saying he'll get the start tomorrow night at first base with Gonzalez in the outfield. We shall see.

Fanbases: Philly lowlifes vs. Red Sox pink hats
Since they are the two most passionate and devoted fanbases in all of North American sports, it's easy to poke fun at both groups. However, Philly has more passion now that the Red Sox have won two World Series titles in the past seven years.
Edge: Phillies

Bullpen: Antonio Bastardo, Danys Baez & Michael Stutes (Phi) vs. Daniel Bard, Matt Albers & Jonathan Papelbon (Bos).

Clay Buchholz and Roy Oswalt are on the DL but the Phillies still have a better rotation. However, with Jose Contreras, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge all on the DL, the Philadelphia better hope they get long outings this series because their bullpen is a complete joke at the moment. The Red Sox only have two reliable guys in the bullpen (Bard and Papelbon) but that's two more than the Phillies.
Edge: Red Sox in bullpen, Phillies in rotation

Place in American history: Liberty Bell (Phillies) vs. Freedom Trail (Red Sox)
The two most important cities in American history so this is the definition of an even matchup.
Edge: Push

So yeah, let's hope this is a World Series preview. There would be nothing better than October baseball with these two great, historical cities going face to face for a World Series title. The ratings and interest would be off the charts. Enjoy the games everyone, go Red Sox!

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet

It is the Rays' Year

The Tampa Bay Rays have been the best team in baseball all season (forget the Angels' impressive record, the AL West was a joke) so it seems only fitting that they're moving on to face the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. The Rays clinched the trip with a nail-biting 3-1 win over the Boston Red Sox in game 7 of the ALCS at the Trop last night.

As a Sox fan, I'm obviously disappointed and went into the game thinking Boston would find a way to win since that's what they've done in recent big games but it wasn't to be. They lost to a better team, I don't hesitate to admit that. I'm sure a majority of simple-minded fanboys from New England and beyond won't be able to deal with this blow for a while but when you lose and there's nothing to gripe about, you have to let it go.

Matt Garza outdueled Jon Lester and Tampa Bays bullpen held the lead. Garza got off to a shaky start as he gave up a solo home run to Dustin Pedroia in the first but he settled down after that. In the biggest start of his career, Garza went seven innings, giving up just the one run on two hits with three walks and nine strikeouts.

Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon got all Tony LaRussa on everybody by using four relievers to get six outs but it worked. The headliner was stud David Price, the No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft, who recorded the last four outs and the save. Price walked one and struck out three, leaving little doubt that the hard-throwing lefty will soon be one of the top pitchers in the AL and probably baseball.

In seven innings of work, Lester gave up three runs on six hits with eight strikeouts. Lester was good but he had to be perfect in this game since the Sox lineup couldn't give him anything.

The Rays tied it in the fourth when Evan Longoria knocked in Carlos Pena with an RBI double.

Tampa Bay would take the lead for good in the fifth as Rocco Baldelli singled home Willy Aybar.

Aybar provided the play of the game as he hit a solo homer in the seventh off Lester that gave Tampa a 3-1 lead.

Boston had five walks but they couldn't deliver the big hits as they left 18 men on base. Hideki Okajima gave the Sox another clean inning, a 1-2-3 eighth.

Price came into the game with two outs in the eighth and struck out J.D. Drew looking with the bases loaded. He walked Jason Bay to lead off the ninth but stuck out Mark Kotsay and Jason Varitek (no pinch hitter?). Jed Lowrie came up for Alex Cora and hit a hard grounder to second baseman Akinori Iwamura that took a sharp hop but Iwamura gloved it and stepped on second for the third and final out.

It's all too easy to be bummed out since the Red Sox fell short so close to another World Series appearance, where they would have had the chance to get two titles in a row. In all honesty, it shouldn't have gotten to that point. Tampa Bay dominated the first 4+ games in the series, the Sox had an amazing comeback then won game 6. Boston had too many injuries and guys in slumps to overcome a young, talented, hungry team like the Rays.

There's many questions to answer in the offseason but the Red Sox have nothing to hang their heads about. They went as far as this flawed team could take them.

World Series prediction: Rays in 6.

Red Sox just keep truckin' on

Despite numerous injuries, the Boston Red Sox just keep winning ballgames. Boston ended its first National League road trip this season with a 7-4 win in the City of Brotherly Love yesterday afternoon.

As has been the case all June-particularly since David Ortiz went down with the wrist injury-J.D. Drew stepped up and carried the team offensively. Playing against the team that he refused to sign with after being drafted (the first time), Drew was 4 for 5 with four RBIs and two runs. He was a triple short of a cycle as he had a double, two singles and a three-run bomb.

Red Sox (46-29) rookie Justin Masterson (4-1) didn't have his best stuff by any means but he gave his team five decent innings which was good enough for the win. He's also ensured of another start before being sent down since Bartolo Colon landed on the DL with a back injury.

The Phillies (42-32) were never really in it as starter Kyle Kendrick (6-3) gave up four runs in the top of the first and Philly trailed 7-1 after four.

Oh sure, Philadelphia made it interesting with a run in the fifth and two in the seventh but Manny Delcarmen was outstanding with two scoreless innings (and two strikeouts).

Phillies star second baseman Chase Utley was 0 for 13 in the series while counterpart Dustin Pedroia seems to have found his stroke again, going 3 for 5 with two runs in the finale.

Jonathan Papelbon pitched a scoreless ninth for his 21st save.

The city of Boston gets to celebrate the Celtics' championship today while the Sox get a welcome day off. Boston takes on the St. Louis Cardinals tomorrow at Fenway in the start of a three-game series.