Yankees Even Series 1-1- Head to Philly

In the first two games of the World Series we have had one-sided dominant pitching. In Game 1, Cliff Lee hurled a 1 run complete game with 10 strikeouts to dominate C.C. Sabathia and the Yankees in a 6-1 win. A.J. Burnett in Game 2 threw for 1 run in 7 innings to beat Pedro Martinez (a former Sox) and the Phillies 3-1. This has been a very interesting World Series, what with its being tied at 1, but they are going into Philadelphia, and the Yanks have not been nearly as dominant on the road. In the first game, Chase Utley homered twice against Sabathia and got the party started for a rally in the 8th. In the second game, trailing 0-1, Mark Teixiera jacked to tie it at 1, how it remained for some time before Hideki Matsui's go-ahead homer in the 6th inning to give the Yankees the lead for the first time in the World Series. I hope the Phils can pull through!

From Padres to Astros

Today Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills (right), who has served on the Sox for 6 years, and ihas been coaching for 11 years has been signed by the Astros as their new manager. The Astros went 74-88, fifth place in the NL Central, and fired manager Cecil Cooper because of it. Since the Astros made the World Series in 2005, they have not made the playoffs since then. 10 others interviewed for this job, including Red Sox' first base coach Tim Bogar. We will be sad to see Mills on the Astros, but coaching is not as important as playing when it comes to baseball. 2010!!!!!!!

World Series All Wrapped Up

I know, this does not have particularly much to do with the Red Sox, but I feel it is my duty to write about the World Series, and this one is Phillies-Yankees. I think that this will be a great matchup, but I'll bet all our friends from New York will be saying, "Oh! We're gonna get #27," but really you can't count the Phillies out just yet. Yes, The Yankees have C.C. Sabathia (19-8, 3.37, 197) starting Game 1, but the Phillies have Cliff Lee (14-13, 3.22, 181) who is better than his numbers show and has been unstoppable in the postseason. Then there's the hitting, New York does have better all around offense, but the Phillies have some very timely hitting, and they have home run power in Howard, Werth, Utley, Rollins, and Feliz. You also have to remember the fact that yes, New York has won 26 World Series (16 ahead of anyone else) but they have also lost 13 World Series (3 more than anyone else has won) which means that they are not neccessarily consistent in World Series games, as they have lost their last two ('01 and '03) so all you Red Sox fans, root for Philly!

One Step Closer to Adrian Gonzalez

Recently, the San Diego Padres have hired a new GM, Jed Hoyer. Jed Hoyer has served in the Red Sox organization since 2002, this could definitely make negotiations much easier. The main reason I am blogging about this is that, with Hoyer in San Diego, the Red Sox could much easier negotiate with him for Adrian Gonzalez. The Red Sox heavily pursued Gonzlez before the Trade Deadline, instead the picked up Victor Martinez. Gonzalez has numbers too good to ignore, however, his amazing line was .277, 40, 99 as Gonzalez' numbers would probably jump even more playing in Fenway Park rather than the pitcher-favored PETCO park in San Diego. If the Sox got Gonzalez, could hold on to Bay and Alex Gonzalez, and maybe sign a strong starter, they could win the World Series next year!

Wakefield- Maybe Next Year

After having back surgery yesterday, Tim Wakefield has had his herniated disk removed in a successful surgery. After going 11-3 with a 4.31 ERA, he finished the year 11-5 with a 4.58 ERA, in only 4 starts because of his gimpy back. The 43 year old does intend to play in 2010, but it might be his last year, he says. Wakefield does have a $4 million option for 2010 for the Red Sox to exercise, but Theo Epstein (Red Sox GM) says that until the surgery has done its job, neither side will make a move. Wakefield is going to start training for Spring Training in rehab so he will be fit once Spring Training comes. I hope the Sox can resign "Wake" as he can be a great pitcher.

Do Not Break a Leg!

Tim Wakefield already is getting back surgery, the last thing we need him to do is break a leg, if you know what I mean. In the first half, Wakefieldwent 11-3 and made the all-star team, in the second half, however, he went 0-2 in 4 starts. Hopefully Wakefield's gimpy back can be helped by this surgery as he needs to get a herniated disk repaired in his back on Wednesday. (10-21-09) Hopefully Wakefield will be able to pitch again in 2010, as the Sox will try to exercise his $4 million contract for next year. (not good to have $4 million go down the drain) If you have done the math, you have realized that Tim Wakefield went a respectable 11-5 to finish the season. The problem was the ERA at 4.58, and the WHIP at 1.44, other than that he had very good stats to finish the year. Sox can win it all next year!

Sox Keep Coach!

After much talk about John Farrell, the Red Sox' pitching coach leaving Boston to be the manager of the Cleveland Indians. Not so fast, Farrell has still got a contract through 2010 with the Sox. Farrell led the Sox pitching to a 66-50 record and a 4.59 ERA, while leading the bullpen to a 3.84 ERA, 3rd in the AL. The Indians, merely a shadow of their former self, skidded to a 65-97 fired manager Eric Wedge, and are obviously looking for candidates to replace him. Say goodbye to Farrell on that list though, as he is going to stay right in the Sox' dugout for at least one more year. Too bad the Sox got knocked out in a sweep, but oh well, there's always next year.

The Song is Over

The Red Sox lost-need I say anything else?

Not the Start we Were Looking at

Now the games really count-the Sox have lost the first two games angainst the Angels and have their backs against the wall here. The only good news is that their injured souls go back to Fenway Park for games 3 and 4! The Red Sox had the 2nd best home record this year, behind the Yankees who had, well, the best record this year. In the first game the big blow was a 3-run homer by Torii Hunter, and in the second game it was a 2-run triple by Erick Aybar. The Sox really need to pull it together, I can't deal with an ALDS loss, maybe an ALCS loss, but definetly not this. Clay Buchholz starts in Game 3 against Scott Kazmir. The Sox have seen enough of Kazmir over the years, as he was traded from the Rays this season. PULL TOGETHER SOX!!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

Baldelli Not Sure About Postseason

This Monday, Rocco Baldelli had an MRI after previously injuring his hand after slamming against the wall in a game against Toronto. The Red Sox are still unsure about putting their backup outfielder on their post season roster. They are not sure about Baldelli yet, and they are sure, that Manny Delcarmen is not on their post season roster and Jed Lowrie and Paul Byrd (presumably out of the bullpen) will be on their roster. The Sox would love to have Baldelli because of how good he is against lefties, and lefties Scott Kazmir and Joe Saunders start in Games 3-4. Terry Francona says that Baldelli is still tender but he hopes to have him back for games 3 and 4. Red Sox play Angels tomorrow and the next day for Games 1 and 2 of the ALDS!

Yearly News

How fitting is it, that when Trevor Crowe flew out to end the Red Sox' season, closer Jonathan Papelbon, who has established himself in the Playoffs, was pitching? Also, Kevin Youkilis won the Player of the Week Award, giving him 6 to end the year. He had 2 homers, and 7 RBIs this week, leading the Sox to a 4-3 week. Since Youk won the Player of the Week award, you are probably wondering why you are seeing Bay on your right. You're seeing him because he has won the Player of the Year Award, winning 8 Player of the Week awards and having a marvelous season. He finished this year with a line of .268, 36, 118. In a little more than a month, I wonder if I'll be posting about him winning the AL MVP Award. He and the Sox coasted to a 95-67 season for the second straight year, and won the Wild Card, for the second straight year. The Red sox are going to be off to Hollywood to play Game 1 of the ALDS on Wednesday or Thursday. These Sox have had a great year, I hope everyone who reads this blog will celebrate my first baseball season of blogging. Thank you, GO SOX!!!!!!!

What a Turnaround!

The Red Sox beat the Indians yesterday, 3-0, snapping a 6 game losing skid. At the helm was Jon Lester, who struck out 7 and gave up no runs through 6.1 innings. This was his last start of the season also, as maybe you remember when he was 3-5 with a 6.07 ERA, well, he finished the season 15-8 with a 3.41 ERA, and 225 strikeouts, he finished third in the league in strikeouts. Lester is in line to be the ace of the Sox when they go to LA for the Playoffs. But it this game, Lester pitched well but they had some offense too, so I'm going to start talking about that! In the first inning, Kevin Youkilis got a sacrifice fly that drove in Jacoby Ellsbury for the first run. Then in third David Ortiz and Victor Martinez (playing in his first game against his old team) each got their respective RBIs. If the Sox can sweep the Tribe, they will equal last year's record.