Boston Red Sox Analysis

There are two schools of thought regarding the pitching of John Smoltz this season. Read more »

The turnover of the immensely likable, self-proclaimed band of idiots that won the 2004 World Series has been dramatically rapid and here is how it happened. Read more »

Most Boston fans agree, Jason Bay and Jacoby Ellsbury are primed for big seasons and a third place finish would be a disaster. Read more »

John Smoltz and Rocco Baldelli are affordable, high ceiling acquisitions for the Red Sox. Read more »

A great story in Lester, an MVP season from Pedroia, one win away from another World Series appearance and no more 162 per year headaches from Manny. Read more »

How quickly New England can throwaway 86 seasons of grief-stricken baseball and believe that winning the World Series is now the manifest destiny of the Boston Red Sox. Read more »

If the Red Sox get back into the ALCS, it won't be because of Josh Beckett shutting the Indians down again or David Ortiz providing a clutch home run. The true backbone of the Boston team, as it has been for the last seven years, is Manny Ramirez. If Manny starts clicking, Boston will rebound and take the AL crown. Read more »

Even with a healthy Vladimir Guerrero the Angels hitting is significantly weaker than that of the Red Sox. John Lackey?s lack of success in Fenway Park and Kelvim Escobar?s horrible pitching of late will prove to hurt the Angels, as they can?t compete in a slugfest with the Red Sox. Read more »

Several questions linger, on both sides: Can Manny and Ortiz overcome nagging injuries? Can Dice-K get out of his funk? (1-4 and 9.57 era in last five starts). Does big Schill have enough in the tank for another run? In New York, will the young guns (Hughes, Chamberlain, and Kennedy) have an impact down the stretch? Will A-Rod continue his ridiculous hitting when it counts? Read more »

The beginning of baseball signifies all that is right in the world: spring temperatures, heated rivalries, and less clothing for co-eds. Even an opening day for the Red Sox against the Royals can be accepted because baseball is back. Read more »

Theo Epstein's 'marquee' trade ahead of the deadline was the acquisition of right-hander Bryan Corey from the Rangers for minor leaguer Luis Mendoza. This was hardly the big blockbuster move that some were waiting for, and maybe even wanted (kind of like the people that watch NASCAR only for the crashes). There were plenty of rumors, the biggest of which included sending promising young pitchers Craig Hansen and Jon Lester (along with centerfielder Coco Crisp) to Atlanta for Andruw Jones. So in the end, the Red Sox acquired nothing but nervous fans. Read more »

After the 2004 World Series which saw that wretched so-called curse finally broken and the whole New England region go into a state of euphoria, 2005 was more of a hangover year that ended in a first round sweep by the Chicago White Sox. With that, general manager Theo Epstein went about remaking the attitude of the franchise and now in 2006, has the Red Sox on top of the American League East and poised to make a run at their second championship in three years. Read more »

If Manny Ramirez stays relatively healthy and continues to uphold his 1.4 grand slams per year average, he should break the Lou Gehrig's record of 23 slams sometime during the 2008 MLB campaign. Read more »

With almost a month gone by in this year?s variation on Abner Doubleday?s motif, Red Sox fans have had plenty of time to wind up their whips and find their victims. Per usual, the faithful have spent the better part of the last four weeks sitting on the couch with their trusty brew of choice, searching for something to call up WEEI sports talk radio to bitch about. And thanks to Josh Bard?s bungling of Tim Wakefield?s knuckleball, Wily Mo Pena?s adventures in right field, and Curt Schilling?s immense pitch counts, the faithful have had plenty of vulnerable parties to attack. Read more »

Jon Papelbon could be a one man closer by committee. If there is a bases loaded jam in the 7th, Papelbon can handle pitching in that spot. If you've got a one run lead in the 9th, bring the kid in. Put him in the pressure spot. His minor league batting average against got progressively smaller as people got on base. Read more »

What can you get for a league average pitcher these days? Apparently a young kid with a ton of tools that resembles an NFL linebacker more than a baseball player. At least that's what Theo got when he traded Bronson Arroyo to the Cincinnati Red for OF Wily Mo Pena. Consider this another coup for Theo (welcome back buddy). Read more »

After having to scramble to find a general manager in the wake of Theo Epstein?s resignation, the Red Sox promptly traded away prized free-agent pick-up from a year ago in Edgar Renteria. Now, centerfielder Johnny Damon is headed to the hated Yankees and a team that were the darlings of the baseball world in 2004 are now looking for answers in an every improving American League East. Read more »

Re-Sign Johnny Damon- Why not? Yes, Scott Boras has made it known that they want a small fortune to retain his client?s skills but I?m sure a 4 year, $40 million deal will lure JD back to Boston. Read more »

The A's have plans for a new ballpark that would have condos built into the stadium and the idea of condos in the Green Monster is an intriguing one. In 1999, Sox owners pitched replica version of Fenway, adjacent to the standing stadium, only much larger. This plan was just a few signatures away from completion; but in retrospect, I think most fans are happy this never happened. The renovations that have taken place the past years, and the ones to come, respect the stadium in geography and history. I don?t think any fan wants to see Fenway gone. This being said, I do enjoy myself a new and improved stadium for some other club. Read more »

Slammin Sammy's demise is one of the many reasons that come this Fall, the American League will be a two-team race. Read more »