BAD DAY FOR BYRD TO MAKE SOX DEBUT

Paul Byrd was decent in his first start for the Sox. But in order to win, he had to have been perfect. Roy Halladay was simply on. 8th complete game for the Blue Jays' Ace. The Sox got a few runners on, but also grounded into a couple of big double plays.

The only thing you can say about this game is that Roy Halladay is freakin good.

Shaun Marcum vs. Josh Beckett Sunday afternoon. Marcum has a 3.42 ERA and a 7-5 record, so he's no slouch.

THOUGHTS ON JOHN LYNCH

The Patriots signed 16 year veteran John Lynch to a 1 year deal, reportedly worth $1.5 million. This was in response to losing newly acquired safety/linebacker Tank Williams to a season ending knee injury. I'm not getting overly excited about this signing, although the temptation to drive down to the Pro Shop and look for a #47 jersey is strong.



Lynch turns 37 in September. He's no longer a full-time player. And he's never been that great in pass coverage. But what he can do is come in on running/short passing downs (1st and 10, 2nd and 7, and so on) and plug up any gaps in the front 7. Having Lynch behind them will allow the linebackers to be more aggressive in stopping the run.

Lynch allows Rodney Harrison to stay fresh and healthy. Harrison's been plagued by injuries the past few seasons, and he's also been quieter on the field than we're used to seeing. If he's given time to rest, he'll be a much more effective playmaker.

So even though this acquisition doesn't significantly help the pass coverage situation, it helps the defense overall.

Just in case you're wondering, that picture is of New Hampshire Governor John Lynch.

Source:
Associated Press

EVEN MORE OFFENSE

The Red Sox finished their 3 game sweep of the Rangers with a 10-0 victory, capping one of the most productive series in recent Red Sox history.

In this 3 game set, the Red Sox scored 37 runs, had 42 hits, hit 5 homeruns, and 15 doubles. David Ortiz was 5 for 10 with 9 RBI. Kevin Youkilis was 7 for 13 with 7 RBI. Jed Lowrie was 7 for 12 with 5 RBI.

The Rangers have one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball, but this was still an impressive series for the Sox. 5% of the runs the Rangers have allowed this season came in the last 3 games. And 5.9% of the runs the Red Sox have scored came in the last 3 games.

Daisuke had a typical Matsuzaka start, somehow going 7 scoreless innings despite allowing 6 hits and 5 walks. The fact that he has 14 wins and a 2.74 ERA flies in the face of conventional pitching wisdom. His WHIP is almost the exact same as it was last year (1.32 in 2007, 1.34 in 2008). He's walking batters more often, but he isn't allowing hits (specifically, he isn't allowing extra basehits) that would knock them in.

I hope everyone out there enjoyed the offensive explosion these past few days, because things are about to change. The team with the lowest ERA in all of baseball is coming to town: the Toronto Blue Jays. Paul Byrd will be making his Red Sox debut against Roy Halladay Friday night.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Steven Senne

SOX WIN 8-4 PITCHER'S DUEL

The Rangers and Red Sox combined for 12 runs in Wednesday night's game. Tuesday night, the Rangers scored 13 in two innings.

For anyone worried about other teams pitching around David Ortiz, I have two words for you: Kevin Youkilis. He was 3 for 4 with three doubles. He's hitting .409 in August, and he's slugging .818. So they can walk Papi if they want to, it's just gonna give Youkilis an RBI opportunity.

Jon Lester was once again Acelike. He went 7.1 innings, allowing 3 runs. Although 2 of those were inherited runners that scored on Mike Timlin.

If and when Julio Lugo returns to this team, will he have a place in the starting lineup? Jed Lowrie went 2 for 3 with a pair of RBI last night, upping his average to .295. Lugo was averaging an error every 18 times he touched the ball. Lowrie's had 125 chances this season, and still hasn't made an error. In my opinion, Lowrie is the best short-stop this club has seen since Orlando Cabrera.

Daisuke Matsuzaka takes the mound Wednesday night looking for a sweep and win #14. He faces Tommy Hunter, who's 0-1 with a 10.61 ERA. If you have Red Sox hitters on your fantasy team, make sure to keep them in there.

Sources:
ESPN.com
Baseball-Reference.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

LOWELL LIKELY TO GO ON DL

Almost lost in the insanity of last night's 19-17 win was the unplanned exit of Mike Lowell. He left after striking out in the 7th due to a strained right oblique. With all the hip problems Lowell's had this season, he'll more than likely be put on the 15 day DL.

The Red Sox will shift Youkilis over to third base, and put Sean Casey in at first. This isn't much of a dropoff. Casey's having a good season, hitting .353, with a .412 OBP in 150 at-bats.

Also on the injury front, Julio Lugo took groundballs the other day. I think I speak for everyone in Red Sox Nation when I say, "Take your time, Julio."

Source:
Boston Herald
ESPN.com

PATRIOTS 19, COWBOYS 17

One of the craziest baseball games you'll ever see. That's the only way to describe Tuesday night's 19-17 game between the Red Sox and Rangers. 37 combined hits, 11 combined pitchers used, and 36 total runs. Kevin Cash was the only starter for either team who didn't record a hit.

Charlie Zink made his MLB debut and didn't look good at all. His performance was Buchholzian. 8 runs in 4.1 innings. But the Sox had given him 12 runs of support before he left, so it was all good. But an 8 run 5th inning, and a 6 run 6th changed everything for Texas.

The combination of Javier Lopez, David Aardsma, and Manny Delcarmen proved nearly fatal for the Red Sox. Thankfully, Hideki Okajima contributed 1.2 innings of solid relief. A Pedroia double in the 8th tied it, and a Youkilis field goal/homerun gave the Sox a 19-16 lead.

It was a mess, but the Red Sox came out on top. Don't be shocked if Charlie Zink doesn't make Major League start #2 in a few days. And thank frigging God the Sox got Paul Byrd today!

Jon Lester faces Luis Mendoza Wednesday night in what will probably be a 2-1 pitcher's duel.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

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