SoxFanForsyth

Interesting that they called up Lin as opposed to Podsednik. Lin plays better D, but Podsednik can definitely swipe a bag or two off the bench, maybe bunt for a hit or two as well.

He's the best thing the Red Sox have in terms of a #5 SP right now. Having said that, if the Sox go out and sign Oswalt, you put Bard back in the bullpen. Oswalt will be ready to throw sometime in June from what I've heard, so I said Through June. Even if Oswalt isn't signed by the Sox, you go to DiceK. Bard's innings limit should be about 130-140 IP this year. That's doubling his innings from last year. Another 5 starts will put him right around 75 IP. Then you throw him in the bullpen the rest of the year. Even if you want to stick with him as a SP next season, you still cap his innings. And it's not a cap on SP innings, it's a cap on total innings. You don't just scrap the guy in early August when he's reached 135 IP. You put him into the bullpen where he can come out for 40-45 games out of the pen as well. By the way, he's lost a lot of velocity and seems to be throwing on the side of the ball rather than on top of the ball. That's worrisome. Gets a bit more movement, but he's a flamethrower, not a Greg Maddux.

Beckett is not going to get traded. He's too good of a pitcher to get traded. If they trade Beckett, they concede the season. If they concede the season, they concede revenues. And that's not going to happen.

I think we can all expect Gonzo to go on an absolute HR tear right now. Just going to go ahead and say it.

Wow. He got cold quick. But he's gotten hit quick too.

Mike Bleeping Aviles!!!!

Have to think the Sox have a massive advantage in tonights game when you look starter v starter and you look at Ortiz and Gonzo both in the lineup.

Blanton gets smoked by the Red Sox. He always does.

Yeah, you gotta think that if the Red Sox can get Oswalt and send Bard back to the bullpen, they could turn the corner. They're getting close to turning the corner as is. They can grind it out until Ellsbury and Crawford get back. Then, around mid June, when Ells is back, when Craw is back, and when Oswalt is ready, you've got a very good rotation, you've got a very good bullpen, and you've got an elite lineup.

Complete anomaly. His defense is already tops in the MLB. I've heard multiple people say that if he was up in the MLB right now, he would be the best defensive SS in baseball. It's his stick that we're waiting on.

Not saying he's ready to replace Aviles. I'm saying he's making huge improvements. He's looking like he's able to make adjustments properly.

By the way, Iglesias went 4 for 6 tonight with 3 singles and a double. He's now hitting .283 with a .673 OPS and a .335 OBP. It's getting close to being time for this guy.

Cody Ross is apparently at the hospital (per Valentine). I didn't get to see what happened. Did he foul one off his foot or something??

Ken Rosenthal reporting that Oswalt threw a bullpen session for both the Phillies and the Red Sox this week. Wonder if winning means anything to him. If so, this weekend series could be a bigger series than we thought.

I can't wait for the Sox to be facing the Phillies, tie game, top of the 9th, Pap comes in. Splat. Pap Smear all over the mound. Ortiz yacka. Sox win.

Is NESN jacked up for anyone else??

WIN!!!!!

Wish Valentine would go all Wally Backman on this HP ump. Thank God this is a 2 game series. I don't think I could handle another game by this crew.

My dear Lord. This ump just gets worse and worse!

Big out there. Although it sucks really bad to be in these situations where the Rays have the tying runners in scoring position, is there anything better than watching Scott get up and fail over, and over, and over?

Wish Aceves would just go back to being the pitcher he was last year. Stop trying to throw 97 everytime. Just throw 93 with movement.