RED SOX ACQUIRE PAUL BYRD

It's just been announced that the Red Sox have traded for journeyman Paul Byrd. The Sox will send a player to be named or cash to the Indians for Byrd.

The former Met, Brave, Phillie, Royal, Brave, Angel and Indian is 7-10 with a 4.53 ERA this season. The earliest he could start would be Thursday. But the Sox will probably push him back to Friday to take Clay Buchholz's start.

This move was a necessity for the Sox. Byrd won't amaze, but he's a solid 5th starter. With Wakefield down, Buchholz struggling, and Colon out indefinitely; Byrd can give the team some solid innings. And unlike Buchholz, he can give the Sox a chance to win some games.

Byrd's also riding a bit of a hot streak. He's 4-0 in his last 4 starts, with a 1.24 ERA.

Source:
Extra Bases

SEAU CONSIDERING A RETURN

Junior Seau, who had off-season rotator cuff surgery, has said that he might return to the Patriots this season. He also said that if he plays, the Patriots are the only team he'll play for.

Frankly, I'm quite apathetic about this news. In my opinion, Seau didn't do much to help the Patriots last year, and I can't imagine him doing anything more a year older and after surgery. It couldn't hurt to have some depth at ILB, and a veteran presence to help the younger linebackers. But the Pats will win with Seau or without him.

Source:
Boston.com

BECKETT OUTLASTS DANKS

The Sox needed a big performance out of Josh Beckett Monday night. Not just because the Sox were in danger of losing yet another series on the road, but because they were up against White Sox Ace John Danks.

Danks had the upper hand for most of the game. Given a 1-0 lead in the 3rd, he retired the first 17 men he faced until hitting Jacoby Ellsbury with a pitch in the 6th. Youkilis broke up the no-hitter with 1 out in the 7th inning. This seemed to fluster Danks a bit, as he then walked Mike Lowell. After striking out Bay, JD Drew doubled deep to center to put the Red Sox ahead 2-1.

The 2 runs would be all Beckett would need. But it wouldn't be all he would get. Jed Lowrie hit a 2 run double in the 9th, and Ellsbury pitched in with an RBI single to make it 5-1. Game over.

The Red Sox split their 4 game series in Chicago, which is far from a bad result considering how good the White Sox are. Coupled with a 2-1 series victory in Kansas City, the Red Sox had their first winning road trip since interleage play. It was the first winning road trip against AL teams since April, and only the 3rd winning road trip all season.

My favorite part of Josh Beckett's pitching line (apart from 8 innings and 1 run, of course): 8 strikeouts, and 0 walks. This was a performance by 2007's Josh Beckett.

The Red Sox return home to face the Rangers. As I predicted, Charlie Zink will make his Major League Debut in Tim Wakefield's spot, facing 4-5 Scott Feldman.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast