Will He or Won't He?

We know if it was up to him, Mike Lowell would be on the playoff roster. However, the biggest decision heading into to tonights opening game between the Angels and Red Sox is if Lowell will be healthy enough to be on the roster.

The last time he played, it didn't look very promising. Lowell has been playing with a partially torn labrum in his hip. He was taken out of the game after his only at bat the last time he played against the Yankees on Friday.

Terry Francona has a big decision. If he does put Lowell on the roster, and Lowell is still not healthy enough to be a productive batter and fielder he will be down a man. Actually, if Lowell wasn't healthy enough or re-injured himself, the Sox could place him on DL and put another play on the roster for the series. However, in that case, Lowell would not be eligible for the ALCS if the Sox go on to defeat the Angels.

The post season roster is due to MLB in about 45 minutes, 1:00 pm EDT / 10:00 am PDT. I know I'll be waiting anxiously to see if Lowell is on the roster. A healthy Lowell is an integeral cog to the Red Sox line-up, both defensively and at the plate.

Hopefully, I'll be able to stay awake long enough to watch this whole game. Maybe Friday's game will be on a bit earlier.

Go Sox!

Gasp Heard Through Boston

While the Sox appeared not to want the regular season to end, defeating the Yankees with a Jonathan Van Every bases loaded single in the bottom of the 10th, the bigger news of the day was Josh Beckett.

Apparently, Beckett suffered a strained oblique muscle while pitching a bullpen session on Friday. In his post game press conference, manager Terry Francona announced that Jon Lester would pitch Game 1 vs the Angels followed by Matsuzaka for Game 2, and Josh Beckett for Game 3.

With the status of Mike Lowell questionable as well, those are 2 big injuries that could potentially hurt the Sox chances against the Angels in this opening round of the playoffs. Hopefully the extra days of rest will be beneficial to both Beckett and Lowell. Meanwhile, all of Red Sox Nations holds their breath.

A little tidbit: This is the Red Sox 6th Wild Card Appearance since it was implemented back in 1994. That is the most in all of MLB.

GO SOX!

Dreams Drowned Out. Can't we flood the domes?

Well, the Sox' dream of winning the AL East were drowned out last night, literally, as the Yanks spanked a plethora of pitcher in route to a 19-8 victory. Hey, that score rings a bell to me. Oh, yeah...I remember:


We all remember what happened after that game...

Anyway, congratulations to the Tampa Bay Rays on officially winning the AL East last night. What an amazing season they've had, indeed. It is actually refreshing to see a team other than the Yankees or Red Sox winning the AL East. I probably wouldn't be saying that if the Red Sox didn't clinch the wild card, but they did finish third in 2005. The Rays are actually a team I could root for, except for the 2 things:

1) They play in the AL East.
2) They play in a Dome.

I hate domes. For baseball or football, it doesn't matter, it is just strange to watch a game in those venues. Basketball is an indoor sport. Not baseball. Not football. Not too mention, the game should be played on REAL grass, definitely not turf. It is one of the reasons I am hoping the White Sox win the Central instead of the Twins. The Metrodome is one of the ugliest looking places I've seen. Thank goodness Minnesota is getting a new stadium in 2010.

This playoff race is getting great. Twins still lead the White Sox by a 1/2 game after each team lost last night. The Twins have 2 to play while the White Sox may have 3 to play. The Mets lost while both the Phillies and Brewers won, seriously crippling the Mets playoff chances. Phillies need 1 win in the final 2 to lock up the East, or just need the Mets to lose again which is the more likely scenario. The Brewers took a 1 game lead in the Wild Card with 2 games to play. Any Brewers win and Mets loss clinches the post season for Milwaukee.

I wish I had the MLB Ticket today, 4 must watch games, plus Yankees - Red Sox. I will definately refreshing ESPN MLB Scoreboard quite a bit today.

Anyway, the Sox will send Beckett out today and Matsuzaka to the hill on Sunday as it appears they will be setting their post season rotation as: 1) Beckett, 2) Matsuzaka, 3) Lester, and 4) Depends on if Angels pick "Series A" or "Series B". There had been a lot of debate on the airwaves about whether Lester or Matsuzaka should be the #2 pitcher in the post season. Most of the arugments stemmed from Matsuzaka's performance on the road this season and Lester performance at Fenway while others argued that your 2nd best pitcher should start #2 no matter the circumstances.

The biggest news, though, is the status of Mike Lowell. He left last night's game after he appeared to be in a lot of pain. So, his status for the post season remains in doubt. It will be a big blow if he is not on the roster.

It's not raining right now, so hopefully they'll be able to get in today's game and hopefully we can finish the regular season on a good note.

Go Sox!

Where'd August Go?????

Wow! A month since my last post. Work and vacation can do that to you. To all my loyal readers (all zero of you, I guess), I apologize for that.

However, the Sox were busy in August. Aside from playing .667 (18-9) ball, they acquired Paul Byrd and Mark Kotsay in trades, while signing David Ross and Jason Lane to minor league deals to bolster their depth.

Despite their great August, they went from 3 games behind the Rays to 5 1/2 games behind as Tampa played an amazing .750 ball in August, winning 21 out of 28 games.

With one month left to play, the Sox will definately have their work cut out for them, to catch the Rays. A lot of "experts", are expecting the Rays to fold under the pennant race limelight. However, I do not think that will happen. The Rays have solid pitching (in both their starters and bullpen) along with a solid defense. Even if their offense does cool down, their all-round ability should be able to carry them through to the end.

The Sox and Rays are pretty much a lock for the playoffs, as I don't think the Twins or the White Sox will overtake Boston in the wildcard. That leaves just the Twins and White Sox to battle it out for the Central Division and last AL Playoff Berth.

How about Dustin Pedroia. What a month!!! .374 average, 1.060 OPS, 43 hits, 10 2Bs, 6 HRs, 20 RBIs, 5 SBs without being caught. AL Player of the Week, and likely Player of the Month. Clean up Hitter?? Who would of thunk it.

Pedroia on fire. David Ortiz is heating up. Coco Crisp is almost as hot as Pedroia. Beckett and Lowell back soon from the DL. Youkillis, Bay, Kotsay, Varitek all playing well. Going to be a wild September and October.

Go Sox!!!!