Red Sox Ride Aviles, Linares To Win

The only real thing we can conclude from yesterday's games is that Boston College is better than Northeastern. Last night, the Red Sox played their final non-official game of the Spring Training season against Boston College. The game was scoreless until the bottom of the 2nd-- helped by a very nice start by Felix Doubront (he went 2 innings, striking out one and allowing a hit). However, the Sox exploded for 4 runs in the 2nd inning-- helped by a liner off the bat of Mike Aviles (right), which went for a 2-run double to give the Sox a 2-0 lead. An RBI grounder by Juan Carlos Linares and a passed ball accounted for the other two runs. However, in the 3rd-- Junichi Tazawa was a bit rough, allowing two runs on three hits to push the lead to 4-2. In the bottom of the 3rd, though, Ryan Lavarnway got on base with a double. He was scored on a beautiful opposite field single by Alex Hassan. In the 4th, Aviles lined another shot off the monster-- this time, leading off the inning. Pedro Ciriaco pinch-ran for him, stealing third and scoring on a single by Linares. In the 5th, Doug Mathis wasn't terribly bad, but his defense didn't support him-- highlighted by a throwing error on a potential double play by Pedro Ciriaco. In the 7th, I was quite impressed by Chorye Spoone; he earned the save with a perfect inning, including striking out Travis Ferrick on a filthy curve to lead off the inning. All in all, a solid win for the Sox-- but definitely BC put up a tougher fight than NEU.

Bright Spots:
Felix Doubront- 2 innings, 1 hit, 1 strikeout, no runs
Chorye Spoone- 1 inning, 1 strikeout, no runs or hits
Mike Aviles- 2-3, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, 1 run
Pedro Ciriaco- 1-1, 1 run, 2 stolen bases
Juan Carlos Linares- 1-3, 2 RBIs
Ryan Lavarnway- 2-2, 2 runs, 1 double
Alex Hassan- 1-1, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 walk

Dull Spots:
Junichi Tazawa- 2 innings, 2 runs, 4 hits, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
Nick Punto- 0-3, 1 strikeout, 2 left on base
Jason Repko- 0-3, 2 strikeouts, 4 left on base

Homers By Ross, Sweeney, Gonzalez Highlight Slugfest Vs. Northeastern

The Red Sox essentially went crazy on Northeastern University today in their annual double-header against NEU and BC. After scoring twice in the first inning on a timely double by Darnell McDonald, the Sox exploded in the 2nd with a 7-run inning highlighted by a solo home run by Cody Ross and a 3-run shot by Adrian Gonzalez. Through this time, Jon Lester was very strong for the Sox-- allowing just a hit and striking out two through the first couple of innings. After a run in the third inning, the Sox came storming back in the fourth-- scoring 7 more times-- highlighted by a grand slam by Cody Ross and a 2-run shot by light-hitting outfielder Che-Hsuan Lin. Through this, Justin Germano pitched very well for the Sox-- allowing a hit and striking out one through two innings-- also not allowing a run. Two runs in the fifth, on RBI doubles by Max St. Pierre and Will Middlebrooks, plus two more perfect inning by Michael Bowden slates the Sox with a 19-0 lead in the middle of the 6th. The Sox scored six more in the 6th inning and are now up 25-0 after a big inning highlighted by a 3-run homer by Ryan Sweeney. The game was called after the top of the 7th, the Sox still up 25-0. All in all, a very successful day for the Sox-- even against a college team. There were many reasons to hope, such as the power shown by everyone-- but particularly Cody Ross and Ryan Sweeney. Everyone pitched very well, with Justin Germano's nice outing a pleasant surprise. I'll be away from home for tonight's game against Boston College, but I should be able to post about it tomorrow morning (hopefully after having watched the game in the MLB.TV archives. 

Bright Spots:

Jon Lester- 2 innings, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts-- not bad

Justin Germano- 2 innings, 1 hit, 1 strikeout-- very pleasant surprise 

Michael Bowden- 2 innings, no hits, 3 strikeouts-- excellent outing for the bullpen candidate

Jose Iglesias- 1-3, 1 run, 1 stolen base

Pedro Ciriaco- 2-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI

Che-Hsuan Lin- 2-2, 2 runs, 3 RBIs, 1 home run, 1 walk

Adrian Gonzalez- 1-1, 1 walk, 3 RBIs, 2 runs, 1 home run

Nate Spears- 1-2, 2 runs, 1 walk

Darnell McDonald- 2-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, 1 double

Ryan Sweeney- 4-5, 3 runs, 5 RBIs, 1 home run, 1 double

Cody Ross- 2-3, 2 runs, 5 RBIs, 2 home runs

Will Middlebrooks- 3-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 double

Dull Spots:

Northeastern University!

Catchers Show Pop, Sox Fall In 'B' Game

Even by Spring Training standards, today's 'B' game against the Twinswas meaningless-- as it didn't even count towards their Spring Training record. However, it was baseball, and we'll take it. Today's game started out with a bang as Ryan Lavarnway knocked a ball over the left field wall for a homer in the top of the 1st. Starter Alfredo Aceves pitched an inning and allowed a run, Daniel Bard came in next, also allowing run to put the Sox in a 2-1 deficit by the 3rd. Things stayed put in the next few innings, including a nice 1-2-3 4th inning by Clayton Mortensen. However, a 2-run homer by Twins' farmhand Aaron Bates in the 4th gave the Twins a 4-1 lead. The Red Sox scored one in the 5th, but the Twins again scored two. Red Sox' reliever Tony Pena Jr. allowed a 2-run double to DH Brian Dinkleman to put the Twins up 6-2. The Red Sox fought back with a 2-run triple by Nate Spears in the 6th and a solo homer by Dan Butler (right) in the 7th. However, it wasn't enough and the Red Sox fell 6-5 to the Twins. Even though this was a pointless game, it feels so good to be blogging baseball games again!

The Captain Goes Down With the Ship

Today, it was announced that Jason Varitek plans on retiring on Thursday. Varitek spent 14 years with Boston, and was named their captain in 2005. Varitek is a career .256 hitter, and while he has declined the past few years, his influence has done the opposite. Pitchers love throwing to him, and he is shaken off as rarely as John Lackey has a good day (he didn't get shaken off much). Perhaps the moment he's most remembered for is when he got into a fight with Alex Rodriguez (right), in a game that many considered turned the 2004 season around-- they later won their first championship in 86 years. I've grown a bit tired of Varitek and his constant outs the past few years, but he's the man and I certainly appreciate what he's done for the Red Sox franchise.

2012 Predictions: AL West

1st Place: Los Angeles Angels- Take an 86-76 team from last year, and add securities at pretty much every position they lacked last season. This team could easily go to a 95-100 win team in 2012 based on the tremendous offseason they just had. Take a pitching staff that was the best in the American League in 2011, and add a fantastic starting pitcher in C.J. Wilson (16-7/2.94/206) and an excellent reliever in LaTroy Hawkins (3-1/2.42/28). Their hitting was middle-of-the-road in 2011, but expect that to jump in 2012 with the mega-signing of Albert Pujols (right) (.299/37/99). Also, expect what was an insecure position in 2011 to become stable with the addition of catcher Chris Iannetta (.238/14/55). It will be a tough fight with the Rangers for the division, but I expect the Angels to edge it out.

2nd Place: Texas Rangers- The 2010 and 2011 American League champions pretty much stood pat in this offseason. While this does not make them a bad team in any way, the Angels additions, coupled with the loss of C.J. Wilson will push them to second place. However, the loss of C.J. Wilson won't be nearly as substantial if Yu Darvish (left)(18-6/1.44/276 in Japan) plays up to par. Also, much like what they did at the Trading Deadline last year, they upgraded their bullpen-- this time, with the addition of Joe Nathan (2-1/4.84/43). Expect the Rangers to be contenders for the Wild Card(s?) with the Rays and Red Sox, and to be strong competitors throughout the year.

3rd Place: Seattle Mariners- The Mariners were one of the worst teams in the league last year at 67-95, but while they stood pat-- the A's mortgaged their team. The Mariners didn't do a whole lot this offseason. The only real thing they did was to upgrade their offense (worst in the league in 2011), by acquiring Jesus Montero (right)(.328/4/12 in 18 games) and John Jaso (.263/5/44 in 2010), both catchers. They also upgraded their bullpen a bit, with the acquisitions of Hector Noesi (2-2/4.47/45), George Sherrill (3-1/3.00/38), Shawn Camp (6-3/4.21/32), and Hong-Chih Kuo (3-2/1.20/73 in 2010). They won't be good, but they may reach 70 wins and be at least better than last year.

4th Place: Oakland Athletics- Now we have the A's, who will make a run at the worst team in the league after trading away all of their stars this offseason. They traded away their two best starting pitchers (Trevor Cahill to Arizona and Gio Gonzalez to Washington), as well as their closer (Andrew Bailey to Boston). One could argue that they could afford to do so, with a 3.71 ERA in 2011 (10th best in the league), but I disagree. What they got in return for those pitchers were mostly prospects, but they did acquire some young players who could help their 24th ranked offense. They acquired young outfielders in Seth Smith (left)(.284/15/59), Josh Reddick (.280/7/28), and Jonny Gomes (.209/14/43). Expect the A's to be one of the worst teams in baseball.

Red Sox Start Full-Squad Workouts

With each passing day the season gets closer, as the Red Sox had their first full-squad workout today. On a different note, it's exactly one week until the Red Sox' first "game"-- as usual, a double-header against Boston College and Northeastern University. As I said yesterday, I'm really proud of the Red Sox. All of them seem to be working really hard and almost everybody has reported before the necessary date. I suppose it's what we should expect from hometown heroes and grinders like Dustin Pedroia, Jon Lester, David Ortiz, and Kevin Youkilis (right), but everybody has been saying all the right things and it sounds good. These guys seem to be taking a leadership role in the clubhouse and I'm getting familiar with Bobby Valentine. It looks like he's been really dedicated to righting the ship here in Boston and I prize him for that. I've got to admit, it's getting really hard for me not to be optimistic!

The Entire Red Sox Team Is In Ft. Myers

For the first time in a while, I can honestly say that I am really, truly proud of the Red Sox. While several pitchers reported before the official date, the date for position players to report was practically unrecognizable. This was because everyone was already there! Almost every player on the Boston Red Sox was in their brand new spring training facility and working out before today's official reporting date. Also, it's looking like Bobby Valentine is working out great. He has been great with the media and looks like he's been drilling the Sox hard, which is exactly what they need after last September. From team mainstays like Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz, to newcomers like Nick Punto and Cody Ross (right), everybody seems to be working hard with something to prove after last year's disappointment. I'm still not convinced they'll make the playoffs, but I'm feeling a lot more confident.

Red Sox, Cubs Finally Settle Theo Epstein Compensation

It's finally all over! Something we thought would be settled in early November is finally over as the Red Sox received Chris Carpenter (no, not that one) and a player to be named later for a player to be named later and Theo Epstein. Carpenter is a converted relief pitcher who cracked the majors last year. In 10 outings and 9.2 innings, Carpenter put up good numbers with the Cubs-- going 0-0/2.79/8. He had good strikeout numbers in the majors-- 7.45 per nine-- but control issues, with 6.52 walks per nine. This problem wasn't limited to the majors either, as he 6.82 per nine in 22 outings at AAA Iowa. The 26 year old power arm throws a fastball and a slider-- his fastball averages out at a blistering 96.5 mph and his slider isn't too shabby at 88.2. It'll be interesting to see who the Red Sox and Cubs pitch in as their players to be named later. Still, Carpenter looks like a guy who has a lot of potential and could potentially make the team out of spring training if he impresses.

Crawford Still Possible For Opening Day

In a recent interview, Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford stated that he may be healthy enough to play on Opening Day. Earlier this offseason, we learned that Crawford had had surgery on his left wrist. Crawford had a very disappointing year in 2011 in all facets of the game. In 2010, Crawford had a career year with the Rays, going .307/19/90 with a .356 OBP and .495 SLG. In the field he also excelled, with a remarkable 18.2 UZR in 154 games. That offseason, he signed a gigantic 7 year/$142 million contract with the Red Sox and it all went south from there. Last season, he put up career lows all across the board with a .255/11/55 stat line plus a measly .289 OBP and .405 SLG. In the field, he also declined with a -2.2 UZR-- however, he was playing the tough left field in Fenway Park so that is partially forgiven. Hopefully, Crawford rebounds from a tough 2011-- he is too good of a baseball player to just fall off a cliff in my opinion.

Red Sox Pitchers And Catchers Report!

A new baseball season is approaching! Yesterday, the next big step towards baseball season came as Red Sox pitchers and catchers reported for spring training. It's finally time to cast away the disappointment and despair of the end of the 2011 season with Jon Lester and Josh Beckett (right) apologizing for the chicken and beer shenanigans. It appears that the Red Sox new acquisitions-- particularly Andrew Bailey-- are fitting in well with the team. Bailey has been chatting quite a bit with the media-- stating that he won't back down from anyone as the closer of the Boston Red Sox. He is not in the least worrying about taking over the role in the wake of the best Red Sox closer ever-- Jonathan Papelbon-- who departed for Philadelphia this offseason. On a separate note, I'm sorry for the difficulties that have come with my G-mail (and blogger) account being hacked and briefly shut down. While I'm not the most optimistic fan in the world right now, I'm very excited for baseball season.