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

MOSS WORKING WITH JIMMY JOHNSON?

No. He's actually working with Jimmie Johnson, the NASCAR driver. Johnson, the 2006 and 2007 Nextel Cup Champion, will be driving in Randy Moss's ride on August 20th. For those of you who didn't know, Randy Moss started operating a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team. The Truck Series is the NASCAR equivalent of AA baseball, or the Arena Football League.

Randy Moss Motorsports has made two starts this season, earning a 14th and a 7th place finish. Jimmie Johnson will be behind the wheel on the 20th when the trucks race in Bristol, TN. Johnson's never raced in this series before, but is one of the best drivers in the world.

The truck is #81.



Source:
Associated Press

SOLUTION TO WAKEFIELD INJURY IS A BIT FURTHER DOWN THE ALPHABET

The Sox are going to place Tim Wakefield on the 15 day DL with shoulder stiffness. With Justin Masterson pitching 2.2 innings of relief in Sunday's game, Bartolo Colon still weeks away, and Wakefield's spot coming up on Tuesday... Who should fill it?

Charlie Zink



A 29 year old undrafted career minor leaguer, Zink is 13-4, with a 2.89 ERA at AAA Pawtucket this year. He's a knuckle baller, which is probably why the Sox haven't brought him to the Majors yet. But if Wakefield really is out for 2 or 3 starts, why not give this guy a shot?

Another possibility is David Pauley, who is also 13-4 but with a slightly higher ERA of 3.32. Pauley last pitched in the Majors in 2006, making 3 starts and struggling big time. But he's doing well in Pawtucket, and could get the nod on Tuesday.

Source:
SoxProspects.com

Photo Credit:
The Providence Journal/Glenn Osmundson

BUCHHOLZ BLOWS ANOTHER ONE

This team's rotation can no longer afford Clay Buchholz's ineptitude. Maybe 2009 or 2010 will be different, but 2008 isn't Buchholz's time. With this afternoon's failure in Chicago (3 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 HR), he falls to 2-8 with an ERA of 6.32.

Since April, he's fallen downhill fast. He was 1-2 to start the season, with some hard luck losses and a decent 4.00 ERA. He had 3 Quality Starts in April. He's 1-6 since then, with a 7.77 ERA and zero Quality Starts.

Justin Masterson was called in to give the Sox a chance this afternoon. Perhaps he should be called upon to start in Buchholz's place. He was 4-3 with a 3.67 ERA as a starter. And although he's been even better as a reliever, this team is in desperate need of starting pitching. With Masterson starting, the team has a chance to win from the get go. With Masterson relieving, he can only keep them in the game after Buchholz has all but blown it.

The Sox were still close to taking this one down. They had a huge 1 out, bases loaded opportunity in the 7th, but Lowell grounded into a 5-4-3 double play. He'd knocked in 3 runs earlier with a homerun, so at least he contributed. Varitek, Ortiz, and Ellsbury once again didn't do much productive. Ellsbury was 0 for 4 from the leadoff spot. Ortiz was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts. Varitek was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

I like Ellsbury hitting 9th and pretty much nowhere else. Francona had little choice with Youkilis' shoulder bothering him. Although Jason Bay could be slotted in as a #2 hitter behind Pedroia leading off.

The Sox look to split the series Monday night as Beckett faces 9-4 John Danks.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

JV PATS LOSE TO RAVENS

No Tom Brady, no Randy Moss, no Wes Welker, no Mike Vrabel, no Rodney Harrison, no James Sanders, no Jarvis Green, no Ellis Hobbs, no Sammy Morris and no Matt Light. Last night's 16-15 loss to Baltimore was an evening for rookies and aging veterans to demonstrate that they belong on this team.

Newly acquired RB LaMont Jordan made a good case for himself, rushing 19 times for 76 yards (4.0 YPC), and the lone New England touchdown.

Rookie LB Shawn Crable also had a good night. He was in on 4 tackles, had half a sack, and made an interception. Jerod Mayo also impressed with a couple of nice tackles, one of which knocked the RB's helmet off.

By the way, I love Adalius Thomas as a full-time OLB. I hope he and Vrabel stay out there on the sides, because they're both playmakers from those spots.



The competition for the #2 QB spot remains a close one as none of the three candidates did much to impress. Cassel, Gutierrez, and Kevin O'Connell each threw a pick. O'Connell probably had the best night, but that's due to his feet. He ran twice for 22 yards. He was only 6 of 13 passing, for a mere 57 yards.

Chad Jackson and Jabbar Gaffney started at WR last night. Jackson was invisible. He had one catch for no gain. Granted, he was playing with backup QBs, but they were finding receivers. Raymond Ventrone led the Pats with 2 catches for 35 yards. He's listed as a safety.

Despite none of the big stars playing, 5 turnovers, and horrible kickoff/punt coverage; the Patriots nearly won.

Just to show how poorly the Ravens are these days, and how mighty the Patriots are; here's what Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said after a 16-15 PRESEASON win:

"It counts. There's the excitement of the players coming up here and getting a victory in this stadium against this team. It was a real thrill to be here."

Last year, the Ravens treated their game with the Pats as if it were the Super Bowl. This year, a preseason game will have to due for them.

The next preseason game is a week from Sunday in Tampa against the Buccaneers.

Sources:
ESPN.com
NFL.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Christopher James Savoia
AP Photo/Stephan Savoia

BRETT FAVRE COMING TO THE AFC EAST

The Patriots' division just got a little interesting. Brett Favre is a New York Jet. The Jets will send a conditional pick to Green Bay in exchange for the all-time interception leader. The conditions are based on the Jets' performance, as well as how many snaps Favre takes. For instance, if Favre takes 80% of the snaps, and the Jets make the Super Bowl; the trade will be for a 1st round pick. Hell will also need to be defrosted. Pigs crapping on people from the sky will make it dangerous to go outside. And emergency rooms will overflow with patients who have monkeys flying out of their asses.

This acquisition does improve the Jets. They now have a quarterback. Pennington went from being the "Next Tom Brady" to the "Next Scott Zolak" (no offense, Scott). And Kellen Clemens isn't very impressive, either. But Favre can win games on his own. He can also lose games on his own. And improving a team as bad as the Jets isn't exactly a major accomplishment.

The Pats play the Jets on the road on September 14th. They host the Jets November 13th.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
ESPN.com

ANOTHER 8-2 WIN FOR THE SOX

The Red Sox handled the Royals with ease once more. Wakefield earned a much deserved win, going 6 innings and allowing 2 runs (1 earned). Jason Bay continues to hit the ball well, he was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

David Ortiz was once again 1 for 5 with an RBI single. That makes him 3 for 25 since Manny was traded. He has yet to record an extra base hit since then. Again, I don't think he isn't getting good pitches to hit. The "experts" who don't actually watch the games are claiming that. But watching the games, he's getting decent pitches. He simply isn't hitting them. He's getting under ALOT of them, and is fouling many of them straight back.

The Sox are 5-1 since trading Manny, but let's not go bananas. They beat Oakland, then took 2 of 3 from Kansas City. This weekend will provide a truer test of their mettle as they go to Chicago to face the White Sox in a 4 game series starting Friday night.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Ed Zurga

J.B. NIGHT IN K.C.

Jason Bay led a rare offensive explosion on the road, going 4 for 5 with a pair of doubles, a pair of runs, and a pair of RBI. Josh Beckett provided an equally rare Quality Start on the road, going 6.2 innings and allowing 2 runs. All of this and more combined for an 8-2 Red Sox win. It was the first time the Sox won a road game by more than 4 runs since July 3rd.

David Ortiz went 1 for 5 with an RBI single, but he still seems to be struggling. He's 2 for 20 in August. In other words, he's 2 for 20 since Manny was traded. Some (Rick Sutcliffe) have been suggesting the lack of Manny Ramirez's protection in the lineup is hurting him. But it didn't hurt him much last September, or in September of 2006. These were the last lengthy Ramirez injuries/vacations, and Ortiz continued to hit well. Most likely, he has been hampered by his nagging wrist problem, which he could even hear clicking the other night as he swung.

Tim Wakefield vs. Luke Hochevar in the rubber game.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Ed Zurga
G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images