The Boston Red Sox were unceremoniously swept by the Kansas City Royals last Sunday and in writing the recap of that giant suck-fest, I happened to mention something about how the Sox were kicking the crap out of the Oakland A’s and holy crap, I almost jinxed their win. Whoa…that was scary. So I’m been keeping my mouth shut this week and trying not to gloat too much about things like the Red Sox currently having the best record in baseball. But I don’t often get to gloat about best records, so I’m officially gloating…if only for a short time.

It’s been quite a week for the Red Sox—since the double crappy loss on Sunday, they’ve gone 6-1 and welcomed the Houston Astros to the American League with a good ol’ four-game sweep. That’s what you call Boston Strong, people!

Monday, April 22: Red Sox 9 : A’s 6
Felix Doubront pitched 6.2 innings, giving up just three earned runs and striking out eight to earn his second win of the season. The Sox offense exploded for five runs in the 5th, capped by a Mike Napoli grand slam. The A’s mounted a comeback with three runs in the 8th, but it was too little, too late…thankfully!

Tuesday, April 23: Red Sox 0 : A’s 13
The only loss of the week and boy was it a doozy. Alfredo Aceves was shelled for eight runs on seven hits and four walks in just 3.1 innings of work. He was demoted to Triple-A Pawtucket shortly after the game. Don’t let the door hit you the ass, you crazy whacko. Despite the loss, his demotion was a highlight for me.

Wednesday, April 24: Red Sox 6 : A’s 5
It’s nice to see the Sox able to bounce back for a win after such a humiliating loss. Jon Lester pitched well enough for his fourth win of the season, helped by two three-run innings, which turned out to be just enough run support. Andrew Bailey came in and struck out the side in the 9th for his fifth save.

Thursday, April 25: Red Sox 7 : Astros 2
Clay Buchholz continued his tear, winning his fifth game with a 7.2 inning, five strike out performance. He did allow two earned runs which raised his ERA to a whopping 1.19. The Sox offense jumped on the Astros pitching early, scoring four runs in the 1st inning. David Ortiz hit his first home run of 2013 in the 3rd inning.

Friday, April 26: Red Sox 7 : Astros 3
Ryan Dempster finally gets his first win in a Red Sox uniform. It’s not like he hasn’t pitched well before, just wasn’t getting the support. He definitely got support in this game—in the form of the long ball. David Ross hit two home runs, Will Middlebrooks whacked his sixth, and David Ortiz launched his second in as many nights.

Saturday, April 27: Red Sox 8 : Astros 4
Not to be out-shined by Lester and Buchholz, Felix Doubront notched his third win. The Astros got close in this game, scoring one in the top of the 7th to bring them to within two, but the Red Sox would have none of it and scored three in the bottom of that inning to secure the win.

Sunday, April 28: Red Sox 6 : Astros 1
John Lackey’s return from his recent stint on the DL was celebrated with his first win of 2013. He pitched six innings on one-run ball and showed no signs of the bicep strain that knocked him out on April 6th. Ortiz, Daniel Nava and Mike Carp all had 2-hit games to spark the offense. Bailey earned his sixth save which was highlighted by a spectacular diving catch by Nava to end the game.

Can’t every week be like this one? After a well-deserved day off tomorrow, the Sox head north to Toronto for a three game series. Jon Lester is scheduled to start and will have the chance to catch Buchholz in the five win club.

To say that Boston can now return to normal would be wrong. Even after yesterday’s apprehension of both suspects—one dead, one in custody—in last Monday’s Marathon tragedy, it’s still a city in mourning. Things have not returned to normal—especially for the families of the deceased, and the victims still recovering in the area hospitals. For the victims, normal will never be the same.

The Boston Red Sox left Boston in the midst of the melee, heading out to Cleveland for a three game series. Each and every player worried about the city they left behind, the city they call home—at least this year. A Red Sox away jersey with the number 617 and the battle cry of Boston Strong hung in support in the dugout. And when the city needed a little pick-me-up in the midst of all trauma, the Red Sox came through for their fans with a sweep of the Indians.

It was their first meeting with former manager Terry Francona and boy did they show him just how strong Boston’s spirit is (as if he didn’t know.) After winning handily on Tuesday night behind Felix Doubront, you had to wonder how they could keep it up with the weight of a city on their shoulders. But they did.

Wednesday’s game 2 of the series saw the Sox quickly going up 3-0 in the first, staking Alfredo Aceves to a lead before he even took the mound. They pounded out 15 hits on route to their 6-3 win with 3-hit games from Jacoby Ellsbury and Shane Victorino—both also scoring two runs each. More importantly, they were able to prove Indians’ pitcher Justin Masterson is human. Click here for the box score.

The series finale on Thursday ended with the same score, 6-3 on the back of another stellar performance from Jon Lester for this third win. The game was a real nail biter until the Sox broke it open in the 7th inning with single by Jacoby Ellsbury and an error allowing Shane Victorino to reach. After a fly out by Dustin Pedroia, Mike Napoli singled to right field to drive Ellsbury home, and Daniel Nava plated Victorino with a sac fly. Pinch-hitter Mike Carp singled to right to score Napoli and give the Sox a safe lead they would never give up. Click here for the box score, courtesy of the Red Sox.

After yesterday’s madness and the Red Sox and Royals getting postponed, they’re back in action this afternoon with Clay Buchholz looking for his AL leading 4th win.

Let’s go Red Sox, let’s go!!

Considering the Red Sox started the 2011 season 0-6 and the 2012 season 0-3, a 2-1 record after the first series of the year—against the Yankees, no less—is a real accomplishment. So I’m not horribly disappointed by last night’s 4-2 loss in the Bronx. But I’m not happy about it either… they lost to a guy who’s almost my age, for crying out loud.

Only a couple of highlights on the Sox side of things. Will Middlebrooks broke his 0-for-8 start with two hits, driving in one of their two runs. And let’s talk about the #9 batter, one Jose Iglesias, who, after three games, leads the team with a .583 average. Jose’s been all about the small ball which might be what saves him from a career of being deemed a one-trick pony.

Newcomer Ryan Dempster got the start against veteran (and old man) Andy Pettitte. He pitched five innings, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks. But he struck out eight. Ok…not bad. I can work with this. I mean that’s not completely sucky. Pettitte, on the other hand, was impressive, holding this offense to just one run on eight hits.

And don’t start erecting that statue of Jackie Bradley Jr. just yet. The rookie did have one hit—an RBI double in the seventh, but he also came up with two outs in the top of the ninth as the tying run and his patience was his downfall. Facing Mariano Rivera, he wasn’t about to get the benefit of a close call and was called out on strikes to end the game. Live and learn, kid. Live and learn.

Next up on the schedule, John Farrell’s former team, the Blue Jays. Felix Doubront takes the hill against Josh Johnson. Last year, the Sox and Jays really battled it out for last place right to the bitter end. The Sox won (or lost, depending how you look at it.)

Click on over to here for the uninspiring box score, courtesy of the Red Sox.

Of course no one will actually confirm that this 2013 Red Sox roster is official, but if you ask me, it looks pretty solid so I’m going with it. There was no ceremonial announcement that Jackie Bradley Jr. was a definite to be in New York on Opening Day but word on the street is he is headed to NY with the club. [Yay!] After finishing up the spring with impressive numbers — .419 average and a 1.120 OPS — it would’ve have been a damn shame if he found himself in Pawtucket.

So without further ado…

Starting pitchers:
Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Ryan Dempster, Felix Doubront, John Lackey
No surprises here, although I thought Felix might grab the #3 spot.

Bullpen:
Joel Hanrahan, Andrew Bailey, Andrew Miller, Koji Uehara, Junichi Tazawa, Alfredo Aceves, Clayton Mortensen
Daniel Bard, who the Sox broke last season, will start the season in Portland! Sounds like a rebuilding year for Bard. And I wonder what the over/under is on when Aceves has his first whiny meltdown.

Catchers: 
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, David Ross
And once again, Ryan Lavarnway is sent to Pawtucket. He’s like the high school senior that can’t seem to make the varsity club. *sigh*

Infielders:
Mike Napoli, Dustin Pedroia, Jose Iglesias, Will Middlebrooks, Pedro Ciriaco, Mike Carp
With Stephen Drew on the DL (WHAT? a Drew on the DL?), Jose Iglesias will get a shot to show us his moves and his greatly improved offense. He did hit a respectable .294 this spring.

Outfielders:
Shane Victorino, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jackie Bradley Jr., Jonny Gomes, Daniel Nava
I’m most excited about the outfield this season — Bradley, Ellsbury and Victorino could make up one of the best defensive outfield we’ve seen in a loooong time!

Tomorrow’s the day, Sox fans. The Red Sox visit the New York Yankees for an Opening Day matinee with Jon Lester taking on CC Sabathia. Game time is 1:05pm. Where will you be?

In just over two weeks, the 2013 season will open with a bang for the Boston Red Sox as they head to New York for a three game series with their perennial nemesis, the Yankees. Let’s not ease into the season or anything like that…geez.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised this spring with the performances by most of the pitching staff. What I’m imagining to be the starting rotation has been solid—with the exception of John Lackey, but I’m giving him a pass for now. He better step it up a notch once the games start to count though. I have high hopes for Mr. Lackey in 2013.

My starting five:

#1 – Jon Lester 
I assume the self-proclaimed Ace will be on the mound for Opening Day. He has had a solid spring allowing just two runs over 14 total innings and striking out 10. Lester has a lot to prove after such a disappointing 2012 where he struggled to a 9-14 record. Spring ERA: 1.28

#2 – Clay Buchholz
Clay has been nothing short of masterful in Grapefruit play, allowing no runs in his 8.1 innings of work. If he keeps this up, there might just be some competition for that “Ace” title. At least he had a winning record last year. Spring ERA: 0.00

#3 – Felix Doubront
If Felix continues down the road he’s been on in Florida, he should have no problems securing the #3 spot in the rotation. He has pitched 8.2 innings, allowing two runs while striking out 11. Spring ERA: 2.08

#4 – Ryan Dempster
If Dempster was signed to replace Dice K, I would say it’s a giant improvement based on his performance so far. But then again, if you’re looking at the last couple of season, Coco the monkey would’ve been an upgrade over Matsuzaka. Dempster has pitched 12.2 innings, allowing three runs and striking out nine. Spring ERA: 2.13

#5 – John Lackey
After missing all of 2012 recovering from surgery, Lackey has the most to prove. And while I expected him to get off to a slow start, this is a little ridiculous. He has allowed six runs in 6.2 innings—obviously, he still has some work to do. Spring ERA: 8.10

A few of the rookies, Anthony Carter and Allen Webster, have been impressive. Carter, who came from the White Sox organization, hasn’t allowed an earned run in 7.1 innings. Webster, a product of the Dodgers system, has pitched 11 innings, allowing three runs and striking out 14! Webster has been assigned to Pawtucket, but would be available should anything happen.

All in all, based on what’s happened so far, I would say the starting rotation is in good shape. Nothing spectacular, but I think they can hold their own if everyone can stay healthy and keep their head in the game. Although I highly doubt John Farrell will let the heads be anywhere else…

You know, I take a few weeks off from following the Red Sox to give birth to the cutest little girl in the world, and I come back and things in the nation are… basically exactly the same.  Minus a few superstars, that is (I heard the rumors of the Beckett/Gonzalez/Crawford trade while I was in recovery and, let’s just say, didn’t have my wits about me, and I thought I was hallucinating).  But at the end of the day, the trade didn’t do much to change the timbre of the 2012 Red Sox, and we’re still looking at a seemingly endless vortex of doom: ineffective pitching, lackluster offense, a dearth of motivation, and as of today, a 21-game gap in the standings and the prospect of a long winter ahead.

Last night, for example:  Aaron Cook gives up six runs in the first inning, the Red Sox muster up only one hit and one run (both by Scott Podsednik, and both probably more a circumstance of Orioles miscues than of any actual baseball fortitude), and the Sox slip into another night of oblivion.

Podsednik’s bunt single was the only Red Sox hit of the night, the first time the Sox had mustered only one hit in a nine-inning game since 2009.  Pouring lemon juice in the wound, Cook got smacked around for six runs in just over one inning.  A two-out Baltimore grand slam in the bottom of the first sealed the deal on this game, and the only real question was how badly the Sox would lose (the answer?  9-1).

Here’s the box score for last night’s game, courtesy of the Red Sox.  Boston steps up again tonight in Baltimore, when Felix Doubront (11-9, 4.91 ERA) takes on Steve Johnson (4-0, 1.62).

These days when the Red Sox can avoid a sweep, that’s considered good news. That’s what we’ve been reduced to as this forgetful season winds down with not so much as even a fizzle. I’m not sure which is worse… last September when they crushed our dreams by completely screwing the pooch and missing the playoffs, or this crappy season where they never even had a fighting chance. The jury’s still out…

So yesterday the Red Sox beat the Orioles 2-1 behind a brilliant pitching performance by Felix Doubront. He went seven innings giving up just one run on four hits while striking out 11 — a career high. But guess what? He didn’t get the win. Thanks to another less than stellar performance by the offense that was 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Oh the horror!

Par for the course this season, eh?

This is what I’ve been reduced to… shitting on them even when they do win. Oh well… nine more days. Just nine more sufferable days left and then I can start looking towards the future. A future that hopefully doesn’t suck as much as the past six months did. Care to view the box score? Click here, courtesy of the Red Sox.

The Sox are off tonight but entertain the Tampa Bay Rays in their final homestand of 2012 for a quick two-game series Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Clay Buchholz and David Price face off once again in game one, and Jon Lester takes the hill against Alex Cobb in Wednesday’s game.

I’m not going to lie… I’ve been rooting for the Orioles the past two games. I don’t remember ever doing that but since I have nothing to live root for this season, I’ll try and give the O’s a boost. The Red Sox nearly foiled the O’s extra-inning win streak yesterday, but I just knew if a team was going to end that streak this year, it most certainly was NOT going to be this Sox team.

The game on Friday night was a trip on the train to Dullsville. Jon Lester pitched just so-so, allowing four earned runs on eight hits over seven innings. Not horrible. Not fantastic. Just… meh. The offense was a bit sluggish scoring just two runs on eight hits and only scoring two of the seven runners who made it into scoring position. In the end, the O’s beat the Sox 4-2 in a brisk (for the Red Sox) three hour game. The yawn-inducing box score can be found here, courtesy of the Sox.

Saturday’s game offered a bit more excitement which I was glad for since I had some family making the trek down to Fenway. The Sox and O’s seesawed back and forth in this one, each team answering the other’s scoring until the sixth inning. I’ll take the blame for the go ahead runs in the sixth — I happened to text my cousin (who was there) and may have made mention that at least the Red Sox weren’t losing. And then boom… the O’s go ahead by three. Ooops.

But then, in the bottom of the seventh, the Sox mounted a comeback. Scott Podsednik doubled, Pedro Ciriaco followed with a walk and Dustin Pedroia singled to load the bases with no outs. Cody Ross and Ryan Lavarnway both grounded out but each drove in a run to bring the Sox within one. Not the most exciting way to get the runs home but it works.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Sox tied up the game on back-to-back two-out doubles by Daniel Nava and Scott Podsednik. And the bullpen even looked to be in the mood to pitch too — Craig Breslow, Junichi Tazawa, Andrew Bailey and Mark Melancon pitched scoreless eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh innings.

And then there was Alfredo Aceves. I wonder what happened to Alfredo sauce. He pitched pretty well early in the season. I mean he does have 25 saves this season. But something changed. Maybe it was triggered by his run-in with Bobby Valentine in August that has turned his arm to crap. Whatever it was, he now sucks and like Dice K, he shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near that pitcher’s mound. I’m sure when the O’s saw Aceves take the mound, the all nodded their heads because they knew that extra-inning win streak was not in danger.

When all was said and done, Aceves gave up three runs on three hits in the top of the 12th inning giving the O’s a 9-6 win and keeping the streak in tact. There’s four hours and fourteen minutes I’ll never get back. Click here for the box score, courtesy of the Sox.

The Sox and O’s finish up the series today — this season can’t be over soon enough. Really. Felix Doubront takes the hill against Chris Tillman. With a win today, the Sox will officially have a better September record than they did in 2011. Sad, I know.

It’s scary down there, boys.

Earlier today I did something really, really stupid. My husband bet me a dollar I wouldn’t eat a hot pepper he grew in the garden. I told him I wasn’t eating anything for just a buck… but maybe for twenty. He agreed and I ate a Super Chili. It may have been the stupidest move I’ve ever made. It was so painful, I thought my throat was going to close up and I was going to die right in my driveway. I drank a half gallon of milk trying to stop the pain. My entire face went numb. It was not fun.

Why am I talking about eating hot peppers in a post about the Red Sox? Well… as painful as it was to eat that pepper, it has been even more miserable watching the Red Sox play baseball this season. If that, in fact, is what they call what they’re playing.

The Sox opened a three-game series last night with the only team worse than them in the AL East — the Toronto Blue Jays. I figured this series might get the team back on track, beat up on someone lowlier than them. I was wrong.

Felix Doubront continued to have troubles and lasted only four innings last night and gave up five runs on six hits against a pretty weak hitting Jays line up. Might the Sox have put too much pressure on Felix this season? He looks just a tad tired to me…

Heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, the Jays had a 5-0 lead. The Sox started chipping away, scoring a run in the fifth, one in the seventh and one in the eighth to cut the lead to 5-3. It looked like the bats were starting to heat up and there was a slight possibility they could catch the Jays and avoid falling into a tie for last place.

And then Daniel Bard came in for the top of the ninth. (Yes, I may have groaned when I saw him.) With a man on second and two outs, Bard served up a high slider that Colby Rasmus jacked just over the right field wall for a two-run homer that put the Jays up 7-3.

The thing that just kills me about this turn of evens was that the Sox came back with a two run dinger of their own in the bottom of the ninth off the bat of birthday boy, Mauro Gomez. If only Bard had done his job… I might just possibly be writing about a rare win today. But that’s just how this season has gone — more painful than eating hot peppers.

These losing ways are obviously getting to the players too. Mike Aviles voiced his frustrations to reporters after the game.

“I’ll tell you what, it’s not fun,” said shortstop Mike Aviles. “I know it’s a tough game to play. In all honesty, we’re out there trying to win. We’re not trying to lose. It’s just unfortunate we can’t get anything going in the right direction. It’s just not fun.”

It’s not fun for me either, Mike. *sigh*

The Sox and Jays face off again tonight with Daisuke Matsuzaka taking the mound against Aaron Laffey. If the Sox lose this one, they’ll be all alone in the basement. I was really hoping to never have to type those words again this season. But… here we are.

Well… that was humiliating. The Sox were trounced by the A’s last night 20-2. A fitting end to what was just a hideous August where they finished with a record of just 9-20. And they’re just a slim one game from joining the Blue Jays in last place. Not surprising.

Honestly, I’m not sure where to start. When I fell asleep, the score was 8-1.

Let’s look at the obvious factors first. The Red Sox pitchers stunk up the mound last night. Seven total pitchers gave up 20 runs on 19 hits, surrendered five home runs and struck out just four batters all night. That’s just gross.

Two former Red Sox players did a good portion of the damage for the A’s. Brandon Moss went 4-for-5 with four RBI, including his 15th home run of the year — he’s hitting something ridiculous like .760 against the Sox this season. And Josh Reddick, who seems to be hell-bent on making Boston pay for getting rid of him, went 2-for-5 with four RBI, including a grand slam off of Mark Melancon in the nine-run seventh inning — his 28th home run of the season.

The Sox offense? I think the 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position doesn’t help much. I think the box score will tell that story better than I can — or at least with fewer curse words.

Honestly MLB? Mercy rule? Just putting it out there…

The Sox and A’s meet again tonight — wait, what? no afternoon game? — Felix Doubront will take the hill against AJ Griffin. Ok… well off to peruse the standings of the other teams to see who I’m going to put my fan efforts behind for September. For the Red Sox, the handbasket has officially arrived at its destination.