MANNYHOF24

Key for this series, score first and hold the lead until we get to a save situation, because :papelbon:

Yeah Perez and B.K Kim. Wasnt kim throwing 95-97 when he was lights out with the D-backs?

I say go after Andruw Jones during Free Agency, but I suppose i could live with Willy Mo but who knows if he is going to hit 40 Hrs.

I would agree 100%. However, Rogers is a better selection than Buehrle

Liriano over Buehrle, Redman, Contrearas, Kenny Rogers, heck even Santana. 1.99 ERA, Hello that is like 99-00 Pedro Say Mike Lowell, was in the final ballet thing, which he should have been, I still would have voted for Liriano, and I am a homer- however this guy frigging should be on this team.

How the hell do you know what Pena is going to be. Nixon just is good for a ball club and it would be a mistake not to retain him for next season. I am not high on Willy Mo.

I disagree, I feel they will offer him somewhere in the ball park of 2 years 16 million, which if Nixon truly wants to finish his career here he should accept. Throwing Milly Mo Pena in RF everyday makes me one nervous fellow. I bet if the Sox FO knew that Trot would bounce back like this, we would still have Bronson Arroyo.

Lester to open Windy City showdown Boston (51-32) at Chicago (56-29), 8:35 p.m. ET By Dawn Klemish / MLB.com Tripped up by the Rays after a hot streak in the last half of June, the Red Sox will turn to lefty Jon Lester to start the team off on a good note against the World Series champion White Sox before heading into the All-Star break. The three-game series in Chicago pits 2004 World Series champions Boston against the White Sox, who swept the Red Sox en route to the championship in 2005. Boston manager Terry Francona said despite the sweep, the game isn't all about redemption. "I think [the sweep is] somewhat skewed though, because they won three in a row, but two of the games we felt like we were as much in charge of the game as they were," he said. "It's like sort of going back to the Yankees thing [in '04] -- we're one out away from getting swept, and next thing you know, we were reeling off eight in a row. It's probably somewhere in between. You certainly try to learn, but it's probably somewhere in between." Lester has been surprisingly impressive in his rookie campaign, and he hasn't lost a game through his five starts as a Major Leaguer. In his last outing, Sunday at Florida, Lester limited the Marlins to two runs in five innings, but he earned a no-decision when Florida rallied after his exit and won, 3-2. He's not yet faced the White Sox, but he is showing a veteran's composure, allowing more than two runs just once in his career. Keeping Lester's unscathed record intact, heading into the All-Star break on a positive note and erasing the recent memory of a nasty series in St. Petersburg are extra incentives for Boston to be on top of its game in Chicago, but Francona refused to buy into any theories -- except for the age-old idea that a team plays to win simply because that's what's expected. "You know what, we want to win because we want to win," Francona said. "I know that they're a really good team and the break is coming. There's a ton of reasons to want to win. "But they're a good team. It will be fun to play them, because they're such a good team." Chicago will give the ball to Mark Buerhle, a lefty who lasted just five innings into his last start, against the Cubs, after allowing 11 runs (10 earned) on 13 hits. It was just the fourth time in 17 starts this season he'd allowed more than four earned runs and marked the third outing in 2006 in which he's worked less than six innings. Buehrle is 5-1 at U.S. Cellular Field this year, and 4-2 with a 3.99 ERA in nine career games against the Red Sox. Francona said Boston probably won't be using this series to show how it has progressed through the first half. "I think I do shy away from that measuring stick thing just because, so far [in our series with the Rays], we're not measuring very well," Francona said before Thursday night's game against Tampa Bay. "I don't think that means we can't win. I think you measure the whole season, and little bits and pieces don't tell the whole story." Pitching matchup BOS: LHP Jon Lester (3-0, 3.08 ERA) The rookie has a 2.45 ERA in two road starts this season. CWS: LHP Mark Buerhle (9-5, 3.86 ERA) Buehrle is 4-2 with a 3.99 ERA lifetime against Boston, including an 0-1 record with a 6.23 ERA in 2005. Player to watch Manny Ramirez is 8-for-14 (.444) against Buerhle, with a double, three homers, eight RBIs and six walks. On the Internet MLB.TV Gameday Audio • Gameday • Official game notes On television • NESN, ESPN On radio • WEEI 850 AM, WROL 950 AM (Espa?ol) Up next • Saturday: Red Sox (RHP Josh Beckett, 10-4, 4.59), at White Sox (RHP Freddy Garcia, 10-5, 4.72) 1:20 p.m. ET • Sunday: Red Sox (RHP Curt Schilling, 10-3, 3.63) at White Sox (RHP Jose Contreras, 9-0, 3.31), 2:05 p.m. ET • Monday-Wednesday: All-Star break Let the Manny MoJo roll!

Ortiz is just amazing, he is so freaking great

07/06/2006 1:40 AM ET Sox looking to avert history Boston (50-32) at Tampa Bay (38-47), 7:15 p.m. ET By Dawn Klemish / MLB.com If anyone can save Boston from being swept by the Rays for the first time in history, it's Tim Wakefield. Boston's right-hander is 14-2 in 31 appearances against Tampa Bay and sports a 6-0 record with a 2.08 ERA in 16 games at Tropicana Field. Wakefield has been the picture of consistency this year, allowing three or fewer runs in 14 of his 17 starts, but he has been a victim of poor run support on several occasions. The Rays will send James Shields to the mound on Thursday. Shields, a righty, went 4-0 in his first five starts, suffering his first loss June 26 after allowing seven runs in five innings at Florida. He earned a no-decision in his last outing, giving up three runs on seven hits in seven innings at Washington. Shields has not faced the Red Sox in his career, but he is 2-0 at Tropicana Field this season with a 1.38 ERA. Pitching matchup BOS: RHP Tim Wakefield (6-8, 3.90 ERA) The Rays are hitting .211 as a team lifetime against Wakefield. TB: RHP James Shields (4-1, 4.39 ERA) He owns a 1.38 ERA at Tropicana Field this season. Player to watch The Red Sox need to do a better job of containing Carl Crawford. In the Ray's 5-2 win on Wednesday, the speedy outfielder swiped three bases, including a straight swipe of home. On the Internet MLB.TV Gameday Audio • Gameday • Official game notes On television • NESN On radio • WEEI 850 AM, WROL 950 AM (Espa?ol) Up next • Friday: Red Sox (LHP Jon Lester, 3-0, 3.08) at White Sox (LHP Mark Buerhle, 9-5, 3.86), 8:35 p.m. ET • Saturday: Red Sox (RHP Josh Beckett, 10-4, 4.59) at White Sox (RHP Freddy Garcia, 10-5, 4.72) 1:25 p.m. ET • Sunday: Red Sox (RHP Josh Beckett, 10-4, 4.59) at White Sox (RHP Freddy Garcia, 10-5, 4.72) 1:25 p.m. ET Dawn Klemish is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. Its time for a little Manny MoJo!!

Freeny plays on the fast track indoors, which definitly helps his sacks number. Seymore is the focal point of the pats D, and faces double teams on every down.

I think you are also forgetting Richard Seymore, who is probally the best D-line man in the NFL, so I stick by my prediction 12-4.

I disagree about the Defense, last year the team was 10-6 with so many injuries. I think a healthy Rodney Harison does so much for that D. They have a great D-line with Wilfolk, Green, plus the linebacking core is so solid, with Colvin, Teddy and Vrabel. If we get Ty back our Defense will be great agian. I say 12-4 for the pats. Brady is going to have his best season, and in the regular season we wont miss Adam V. that much, however in the playoffs its really going to hurt.

Good game tonight, very boring after the 6th inning, Manny and Ortiz are a freaking great duo, this team is on a role right now. Good pitching by Wake and the bullpen, except Lopez, GO Lester tommorow!

how hard was Sanchez was throwing in the Red Sox oraganiztion?

Manny has to play today, I think Manny would want to play agiasnt those numbers

Who frigging gave Jason Johnson premission to screw up our win streak? Get this guy out of here and call Synder up... At least he gave us a chance to win

You had one hell of a run

Sarcasm

I think its kind of interesting actually, I will want to see how he does

:thumbdown Manny has to Play, because if he doesnt Johnny slips into his spot

Hope fully if Manny does sign an extension, it would be for a slight discount on his current contract... I would love to see Manny retire a sox, and go into the hall as a Red Sox.

Coco Crisp is amazing!!!!

Its fun to watch this type of baseball... its refreshing to see great defense, timely hitting and very solid pitching