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.

As awesome as the Red Sox and Fenway Park were on Saturday, Sunday was the complete opposite. With Friday night’s game cancelled because that terrorist maggot still at large, a day/night double header with the Kansas City Royals was on the schedule for Sunday. And while the Sox aimed to keep their current winning streak on track, the Royals had other plans. Unfortunately, the Royals prevailed. Bastids.

When I heard about what Jonny Gomes had done for the game—engraving the names of the three victims killed in Monday’s attack and slain MIT officer, Sean Collier into his bat for the first game, I thought there was really no way the Red Sox could lose at least this one. I figured the bat had to be magic. Unfortunately, I was sadly mistaken.

Game 1: Red Sox 2 : Royals 4
Ryan Dempster was thwarted in his attempt to win his first game in a Red Sox uniform by one stupid 4th inning. The home team hopped out to a quick 2-1 lead by the bottom of the 1st, but unfortunately, those would be the only runs they would score all day. Ervin Santana kept the Sox bats relatively quiet all afternoon—scattering eight hits, three of those by David Ortiz.

It’s not like the Sox couldn’t get guys on base. I mean eight hits is eight hits. They just couldn’t get those guys home, successful plating just one of seven runners in scoring position. Oh well, can’t win ‘em all I guess…although it would’ve been nice if that seven game winning streak went just a few more. For Boston, you know. Click here for the sort of really boring box score.

Game 2: Red Sox 4 : Royals 5 (10 innings)
This loss was especially hard to swallow. Mainly because newly promoted Allen Webster had such a solid start—six innings, five hits, two earned runs and five strikeouts—not too shabby for a 23-year-old making his major league pitching debut. He took a no decision.

The Sox had a 4-3 lead going into the eight inning and seemed to be steaming right along with the ever so reliable bullpen taking over for Webster. Koji Uehara, who had yet to give up an earned run this season, served up an 89 mph fastball that Billy Butler lost over the centerfield wall. Game tied. It would stay that way until the top of the 10th when Andrew Miller fell completely apart—and by fell completely apart, I mean he walked in the winning run. AAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH! Click here for the frustrating box score, courtesy of the Red Sox.

At least the Sox seem to have snapped out of their current skid for the moment and are presently kicking the crap out of the Oakland A’s. Go Sox!

First, a personal note: thank you, everyone, for reading my post on the Boston Marathon.  I never expected that so many people would see that post, and I feel honored that so many of you read it, shared it, and found something in it.  Things are still very raw in Boston, but the city’s also starting to pick itself up, dust itself off, and get back to business.

Speaking of getting back to business, we have a few Red Sox games to catch up on.  The Sox beat Tampa Bay on Monday in a true Patriots Day classic, and then proved their mettle against Terry Francona’s Indians for the first time yesterday.

The Patriots Day game is fun and unique, because it starts at 11:00 a.m.  You literally wake up, get dressed, and go straight to Fenway.  But, the fact that Patriots Day is always the third Monday in April portends a mixed bag on two fronts: weather, and early-season shaking the rust off.  Monday’s weather was beautiful, but I went to a Patriots Day game a few years ago (I don’t know which year – Josh Beckett pitching, playing the Angels, Manny was in the lineup) wearing my snowboarding gear, including a hat and gloves.  I had thought about bringing my goggles, decided not to, and then regretted it – good times!

Along with the weather, Monday’s game was also one of the good ones.  Ryan Dempster – RYAN DEMPSTER, folks – spun a gem, holding the Rays to one run and two hits through seven innings of work.  The former National Leaguer (I point that out because National League pitchers are not known for adjusting well to the American League, so this is an interesting and heartening development) struck out ten batters and only walked two.

Andrew Bailey picked up closing duties for the injured Joel Hanrahan, but he promptly blew the one-run save when he let Desmond Jennings on, and then let him steal second, and then let Ben Zobrist drive him home with a line drive to left field.  Oops.  It’s sad that this doesn’t surprise me – Bailey had such a clunker of a debut in Boston, that you can’t help but think that maybe his closer mentality’s gone.

Anyway, bottom of the ninth, Dustin Pedroia on first, tie game: Mike Napoli’s swing was horrible, but he managed to ding the ball off the Monster to score Pedroia and win the game for the Sox.  Pedroia and Napoli, Napoli and Pedroia: I picture them getting together after the game to be gritty and unshaven and clutchy together.

Tuesday’s game was more somber – the Sox traveled to Cleveland to oppose Francona for the first time since he left Boston.  Cleveland played “Sweet Caroline” during warmups (New York, which nobody ever accused of not having class, played it in the third inning).  Cleveland also held a moment of silence, after which the Red Sox bats made some noise.  Boston scored seven runs in the second inning (double, three walks, sac fly, single, walk, walk), putting the game out of reach.

It’s nice to think that the Sox are playing with the city on their minds – that they’re somehow playing for us, that they’re thinking of us when they dig in.  Boston needs something happy and joyous, and when baseball’s played right, in that ethereal, balletic way, it’s the very personification of joy, of the human capacity to be perfect for a brief moment in time.  But while the city needs the joy that comes from the perfect double play, the lope across the outfield grass, the uncoiling of a bat against a ball (PS: Mike Napoli’s double on Monday – you’re doing it wrong), the city also needs to not have that joy be a condition of grief.

Joy as a condition of grief: what I mean by that is, baseball will help this city heal.  The Red Sox can – and should, and do – acknowledge the city’s grief.  But instead of focusing on the tears, and the hurt and the uneasiness you feel when you notice a SWAT team on the corner of your street or when you step off the T to a phalanx of soldiers with assault rifles, the Sox are in the unique position of being able to help the city find joy again.  Very few things, we’ve learned, unite this city like an attack on one of its institutions.  Another one of its institutions has a chance to unite this city in joy, not in grief.  It sounds so simple: that baseball, the same simple game that’s always been there, can suddenly help us all handle this monumental obstacle that’s been put, unwillingly and unwelcomed, in front of us.  But, it can.

The Sox are winning games because they’re playing good baseball that, for short bursts, is perfect baseball.  That’s enough to help the city start to heal – play well, let spring turn into summer, let nights at Fenway be the place to be again, and smile in the dugout.  Let’s be happy about something as pure as baseball.  Let’s enjoy those small, sweet moments of perfection while they last.

After the rainout on Friday night, the Boston Red Sox took a take no prisoners approach to the rest of the weekend against the Tampa Bay Rays. So far, I am loving this team. Check in with me again around the All-Star break to see if my feelings have changed, but there’s a spark here I haven’t seen in a long time. Maybe since 2004.

Saturday afternoon we saw Sox ace Jon Lester matching up against the Ray’s ace, David Price. And just as presumed, a pitchers’ duel ensued. Both starters gave up just a single run in their outings but the Sox came out on top in extra frames. Following a Jarod Saltalamacchia strikeout to open the bottom of the 10th, Jacoby Ellsbury singled to center. With Shane Victorino at the plate, Ellsbury stole second and took third on a crappy throw by the Rays’ catcher.

Rays’ manager Joe Maddon then pulled in an outfielder to give them five guys covering the infield. Is this the baseball version of pulling the goalie? Even with nearly every inch of the dirt covered, Victorino was able to ground the ball to a spot where the shortstop had to dive for it. Ellsbury scored on the play giving the Sox the 2-1 victory! Click here for the box.

Sunday afternoon’s game saw starting pitcher, Clay Buchholz, flirt with a no-hitter, stymying the Rays batters through seven innings. Buchholz pitched masterfully, giving up just two hits in eight innings and striking out 11. He has improved to 3-0 with a stingy 0.41 ERA. I would’ve figured these numbers would sit him alone atop the AL in the pitching category. I was wrong. He shared the same record and ERA with old Sox friend, Justin Masterson.

The Red Sox scored most of their runs in the third inning when Ellsbury, Victorino and Dustin Pedroia all singled to load the bases. Mike Napoli smashed a double to the triangle in center to score the first two runs. Two more scored on a ground out by Stephen Drew and a throwing error. Click here for the box—courtesy of the Red Sox.

Next up for the Red Sox, they attempt to close out a sweep of the Rays with the annual Patriots Day 11:05am start. Ryan Dempster (0-1, 3.60), still searching for his first win in a Sox uniform, will take on Jeremy Hellickson (0-1, 6.35). Tomorrow is also Jackie Robinson Day—when everyone wears #42!

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.

The Red Sox won again last night, bumping their early-season record to 2-0 and knocking the battered Yankees down a peg.  The score was 7-4, behind a strong outing from Clay Buchholz.  Buchholz held the Yankee bats to one run over seven innings of work.  The New York pitching staff wasn’t as lucky: starter Hiroki Kuroda took a Shane Victorino single off his pitching hand in the second inning and had to leave the game with what turned out to be a bruise.  Pinstriped old-timer Vernon Wells hit a three-run home run in the New York eighth, and Travis Hafner hit a single shot in the fourth, but that was all the offense the Yankees could muster (it’s almost symbolic that this creaky old Titanic of an offense only scored off of home runs hit by two of the creakiest men in the majors).

The Red Sox, meanwhile – screw small sample sizes.  The Sox are going to go undefeated, win the division, sweep the postseason, and win the World Series AND the 2016 Democratic primary (Massachusetts is a blue state, after all).  Look at these lines:

Daniel Nava – .667/.800/1.000

Jose Iglesias (yes, Jose Iglesias) – .556/.556/.667

Jonny Gomes – .500/.600/.500

Jarrod Saltalamacchia – .429/.600/.571

Jacoby Ellsbury – .400/.455/.600

Dustin Pedroia – .364/.364/.364 (4 for 11, all singles – how often do you see a line that matches up across the columns?)

Now granted, the only one of those players I think can actually stay near those early marks is Pedroia – he could hit .360 if he had a great year, and obviously he’ll also hit something more than a single eventually – as we know, all he does in the off-season is straight bodybuilding, so, there’s that to look forward to.  And Jackie Bradley, Jr., the king of the spring, has only hit .167/.500/.167 in the early going (three walks and one single in six official at-bats, giving us the low average and slugging percentage but the eyebrow-raising on-base percentage).  Will Middlebrooks has a .000 batting average – (hopefully) that won’t stick, either.  But, these lines are fun.  Daniel Nava will be 80 years old one day, sitting in a rocking chair and talking to his grandkids about the week he had a .660 average in the major leagues.  Early statistics are basically worthless, but they sure do make for good “listen up sonny, and I’ll tell you about back when I was a major-leaguer” story.

Red Sox-Yankees again, tonight.  Ryan Dempster makes his debut against Andy Pettitte, who still hasn’t retired (again).  Let’s see if the Yankees can make something of this series behind one of their greats, or if the Sox can open up with a series sweep on the road.

Here’s the box score from last night, 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…

The Red Sox officially signed Ryan Dempster to a two-year, 26.5 million-dollar deal yesterday.

To which I say, meh.

Meh.

I just don’t think Dempster will be that good.  Ryan Dempster’s the kind of pitcher that’s been around so long that everyone knows his name – but that doesn’t mean he can hold up the Red Sox rotation.  Especially – ESPECIALLY – in the AL East.

Look at Dempster’s stats on baseball-reference.com.  He started 2012 with the Chicago Cubs, and was traded to the Texas Rangers on July 31, literally two minutes before the deadline expired.  His numbers with Chicago – where he began as a reliever and a closer before earning a starting spot in 2008 – are good.  He had an ERA basically in the mid-threes as a starter, save for a down 2011 season and a renaissance 2012 first half.  He left Chicago sporting a 2.25 ERA on the year.

But, look what happened once he got traded to Texas.  He lodged a 5.09 ERA in the last half of 2012, and the fact he started walking the ballpark didn’t help him out any.

It’s well-known that for pitchers, the switch from the National League to the American League is a tough one.  The DH comes into play, the hitters tend to grind out their at-bats more (especially in the AL East), and ERAs tend to rise significantly.  Dempster pitched well against the Sox last year – allowing no runs over 13 2/3 innings – but let’s face it, pretty much everyone “pitched well” against the Sox last year.  And, Dempster got crushed by the better teams in the American League.  Nick Cafardo at the Boston Globe put it well:

The Angels ate him up in three starts. He allowed nine hits and eight runs in 4-2/3 innings in one start; six hits and five runs over 3-1/3 innings in another; and seven hits and our runs in 5-2/3 innings in a third.

The Yankees beat him up for nine hits and eight runs over six innings. The A’s got him for six hits and five runs over three innings.

And, as Cafardo notes, the Rangers didn’t make a big push to re-sign Dempster.  Cafardo also writes that a National League manager expects the Red Sox to pick and choose the teams that Dempster goes up against.  That’s… not exactly a ringing endorsement.

Was the last half of 2012 a hiccup?  Or was it a sign of things to come?  And what, exactly, do the Red Sox expect out of Dempster?  He’s gone 200 innings a year consistently since he became a starter (except for last year – 173).  The Sox needed that kind of consistency last year, and couldn’t get it out of the starting staff.  The looming question, though, is whether those 200 innings will be quality innings or not.

I have my doubts.  The Red Sox still need to put some serious work into their starting staff – Dempster will be a good addition, but I would be very concerned if Ben Cherington sees him as anything better than a fourth starter.  The Sox still need that top-of-the-rotation guy, and their time is starting to run out.

Also, as an aside, SOMETHING is going on with the Mike Napoli deal.  The Sox haven’t announced it formally yet, but Cafardo also wrote in the Globe that a medical issue’s come up with Napoli’s leg or hip, and that the sides are trying to wrangle the contract language to accommodate that issue.  Even if the sides work out the language and Napoli gets signed, yikes – it seems like Murphy’s Law applies to medical issues.

But, happy thoughts – Shane Victorino gave a great press conference yesterday, and it’s Friday.  We all love Fridays!

Dice K (c/o Keith Allison, Flickr.com)

I’d bet ten bucks Mr. Theo Epstein has quite a big smile on his face after his Cubs blanked the Red Sox this afternoon 3-0 at Wrigley Field. Actually, if I were more of a gambler, I’d probably bet a thousand, but I’m cheap. Going into this series, I’ll admit I was maybe a bit too confident. Coming off a two-game win streak, I thought maybe…just maybe…they could continue with the strong pitching and hot bats. I was wrong.

Daisuke Matsuzaka made his second start of the season and things were looking bad when he walked the bases loaded in the first. He then gave up a two-run double and that’s really all the Cubbies needed. Overall, Dice K pitched a pretty ok game after the first. He went six innings and gave up three runs on four hits (and three walks — those walks’ll kill ya.)

The problem was that Cubs’ pitcher Ryan Dempster was outstanding, blanking the Sox on just four singles. Scott Podsednik was really the only batter who had any success getting two of those four hits. And Dempster helped himself at the plate going 2 for 2 with a triple and a run scored.

The highlight of the game for me was a great play in the seventh inning when Scott Atchison came in to relieve Dice K. Tony Campana attempted a bunt for a base hit and while David Ortiz charged to field the ball, Scott Atchison sprinted to first base. Ortiz led him perfectly to the bag with a perfect toss. He just beat the head first slide of Campana. But yeah, other than that, the highlights were pretty nonexistent.

On another note: on the latest episode of “As the Injuries Turn,” Josh Beckett has been scratched from Sunday’s start with shoulder inflamation. Are we sure it’s not head inflamation from thinking so highly of himself? Whatever is inflamed, Franklin Morales has been slated to take Beckett’s start. After his scoreless 4.1 inning performance in early June in relief of Daniel Bard, I have great confidence in his ability too give us some quality innings.

Click here for the pretty uninspiring box score, courtesy of the Red Sox. Jon Lester takes the hill tomorrow night for a prime time, nationally televised game. Really? Two last place teams?

Oh well… go Sox.