http://www.yardbarker.com/rss/player/21459 Recent articles about Daisuke Matsuzaka en-us With another short but sweet start from Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Red Sox were able to whittle the magic number down to seven in the American League Wild Card race, thanks in part to a timely beating to the Texas Rangers by the Angels - and, of course, another systematic dismantling of the Baltimore Orioles. On the way to a 9-3 victory in Baltimore on Sunday, the Red Sox notched seven runs over just the first four innings, ensuring the series sweep over the embattled O's. Dice-K worke... Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:52:30 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/BOS_9_BAL_3_No_Surprise_Sox_Sweep_Orioles/1213360 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/BOS_9_BAL_3_No_Surprise_Sox_Sweep_Orioles/1213360 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/BOS_9_BAL_3_No_Surprise_Sox_Sweep_Orioles/1213360 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/1/3113996c04476025c6aed950f474cbce8b62edc6/small/MiLB_MAY_15_3e79.jpg GAME NOTES: Daisuke Matsuzaka takes the hill for the second time since his much-anticipated return. While his first start was impressive, it will be all for naught if he morphs back into his former self. Dice-K needs to continue attacking the strike zone if he hopes to contribute to the Sox in October. Berken has a 6.08 ERA. That is all. Sun, 20 Sep 2009 12:22:30 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/920_The_Diceman_goes_up_against_B_more/1209036 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/920_The_Diceman_goes_up_against_B_more/1209036 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/920_The_Diceman_goes_up_against_B_more/1209036 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/c/ac3bad53791fadc014c497f6cafd3081132a48eb/small/90804021.jpg Daisuke Matsuzaka returned from a three-month stint on the disabled list and pitched six shutout innings Tuesday night to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels, their likely first-round playoff opponent. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:00:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Dice_K_returns_with_win_for_Sox/1180498 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Dice_K_returns_with_win_for_Sox/1180498 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Dice_K_returns_with_win_for_Sox/1180498 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/c/ac3bad53791fadc014c497f6cafd3081132a48eb/small/90804021.jpg First things first: Who the f@#k was that guy in the Daisuke Matsuzaka costume tonight? Because the last time I'd heard anything from the real Matsuzaka, he was floundering in the minor leagues, on the verge of becoming one of the more curious footnotes to Red Sox history. A big-money signing who arrived on a tidal wave of publicity and good vibes, but petered out after just two seasons.But the guy who showed up tonight? The guy who gave up just three hits and no runs over six stunning in... Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:14:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Crushing_Angel_Dreams_Since_1986/1180299 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Crushing_Angel_Dreams_Since_1986/1180299 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Crushing_Angel_Dreams_Since_1986/1180299 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/1/3113996c04476025c6aed950f474cbce8b62edc6/small/MiLB_MAY_15_3e79.jpg Look, we all now how this post-season is going to pan out: The Sox and Yanks are going to collide in the ALCS. But before that, we’ll have yet another mash-up with the Anaheim Angels. Which makes tonight’s game a bona fide playoff preview.Am I nervous? Let’s just say with Daisuke Matsuzaka back on the mound (and thanks to VJ for the photo above), I’ve been mainlining Red Bull, Hennessey and Peggy Lawton Choco-Chip Cookies since noon. I can’t feel my legs or eyebrows, but I’m still of relative... Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:03:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/The_Return_of_Something/1175037 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/The_Return_of_Something/1175037 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/The_Return_of_Something/1175037 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/c/ac3bad53791fadc014c497f6cafd3081132a48eb/small/90804021.jpg Last night, Amalie Benjamin tweeted that Daisuke Matsuzaka was going to make his return to the Sox rotation on Tuesday. This means that Paul Byrd is suddenly out of a rotation spot, assuming Tim Wakefield makes his scheduled start next weekend in Baltimore. Given that Wakefield isn't starting until next weekend, however, and Jon Lester would be unable to take the hill on his scheduled day Wednesday, you could see Josh Beckett pitch one day earlier, or... have Mr. Paul Byrd draw the sta... Sat, 12 Sep 2009 06:15:25 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Matsuzaka_to_make_return_Tuesday_Byrd_tucks_wings_in/1155745 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Matsuzaka_to_make_return_Tuesday_Byrd_tucks_wings_in/1155745 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Matsuzaka_to_make_return_Tuesday_Byrd_tucks_wings_in/1155745 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/c/ac3bad53791fadc014c497f6cafd3081132a48eb/small/90804021.jpg Via Twitter, Amalie Benjamin (or as the FOXSports announcers would have you believe, 'Molly' Benjamin) says that Daisuke Matsuzaka will make another rehab assignment Wednesday -- the location to be determined. The Dice Man started for Pawtucket on Saturday and was not pleased with his breaking ball command. Sox officials said they hoped to squeeze one more minor league start out of Matsuzaka. After the start, Dice-K will rejoin the BoSox. It remains to be seen who he will replac... Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:30:03 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Dice_K_making_another_rehab_start_Wed/1123466 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Dice_K_making_another_rehab_start_Wed/1123466 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Dice_K_making_another_rehab_start_Wed/1123466 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/1/3113996c04476025c6aed950f474cbce8b62edc6/small/MiLB_MAY_15_3e79.jpg Even though he last pitched for the Boston Red Sox on June 19, Daisuke Matsuzaka expressed confidence about his ability to return to the major leagues. "I think I can stand on the mound with 100 percent confidence," Matsuzaka said through an interpreter after allowing two solo home runs in 4 1/3 innings during a rehab start Friday night for the Pawtucket Red Sox against the Syracuse Chiefs. "I approached tonight's start like it was a regular-season game. I felt close to ... Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:13:08 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Matsuzaka_displeased_with_breaking_ball_command_after_rehab_start/1116652 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Matsuzaka_displeased_with_breaking_ball_command_after_rehab_start/1116652 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Matsuzaka_displeased_with_breaking_ball_command_after_rehab_start/1116652 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/c/ac3bad53791fadc014c497f6cafd3081132a48eb/small/90804021.jpg Daisuke Matsuzaka had a tough go of it in Double-A yesterday (Sunday), throwing two innings and giving up five runs on four hits. He walked three and struck out one. In other words, the same old Dice-K. It would be nice to have Dice back for the stretch run -- this is no question -- but if the Sox can get into October, they may not need him. A three- and four-man rotation is usually all that is needed in October. Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Tim Wakefield and Paul Byrd, at this... Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:29:18 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Dice_K_rolling_anything_but_snake_eyes/1086928 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Dice_K_rolling_anything_but_snake_eyes/1086928 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Dice_K_rolling_anything_but_snake_eyes/1086928 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/c/ac3bad53791fadc014c497f6cafd3081132a48eb/small/90804021.jpg Daisuke Matsuzaka continues his rehab on Friday, as he will throw a side session, before moving to the Gulf Coast League on Monday, reports the Red Sox official website. His tentative return date is September 8. The real question, however, is what version of Daisuke are the Red Sox going to return to the mound? The effective starter from 2008 or the one who has walked 18 this season with 8 home runs in just 35 innings? Since Daisuke came to the MLB, he has been among the most inconsiste... Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:55:29 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Daisuke_Rehabbing/1019798 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Daisuke_Rehabbing/1019798 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Daisuke_Rehabbing/1019798 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/c/ac3bad53791fadc014c497f6cafd3081132a48eb/small/90804021.jpg Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona said the club is disappointed that sidelined pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka went public with his concerns on how the team is handling his training techniques. Matsuzaka was 1-5 with an 8.23 ERA before going on the 15-day disabled list June 21 with a mild strained right shoulder. Last season, he was 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA. Matsuzaka met with the team last Friday and is continuing his conditioning at Boston's spring-training complex in Fort Myers, Fla. Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:26:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Red_Sox_not_happy_about_Dice_K_39s_public_gripe/894950 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Red_Sox_not_happy_about_Dice_K_39s_public_gripe/894950 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Red_Sox_not_happy_about_Dice_K_39s_public_gripe/894950 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/f/ff1883032737190fed7bbb675a7219c870cda404/small/96.jpg Daisuke Matsuzaka may be gone...and to many in 2009 forgotten, but the Red Sox have continued to hold out hope that he'll be "in the mix" come September and potentially the playoffs should the team make it into October ball. This week, the old cliche gone but not forgotten has reared it's ugly head. In an interview with a Japanese media outlet, Daisuke Matsuzaka took some dirty laundry public all but blaming the Red Sox strength and conditioning program for his injury and... Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:34:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Dice_K_lost_in_translation/893819 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Dice_K_lost_in_translation/893819 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Dice_K_lost_in_translation/893819 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/1/3113996c04476025c6aed950f474cbce8b62edc6/small/MiLB_MAY_15_3e79.jpg Bob Ryan wrote an article, and Rob Neyer blogged about it.  And now I am blogging about it.  The article suggests that Daisuke Matsuzaka has not been worth the money.  It is hard to argue with that early-drawn conclusion.  But a few things...1)  There are still three more seasons on the contract.  And although it doesn't look too good right now, it may get better.  Things must play out before a definite conclusion can be drawn.2)  Matsuzaka has... Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:06:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Daisuke_worth_103_million/732407 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Daisuke_worth_103_million/732407 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Daisuke_worth_103_million/732407 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/1/3113996c04476025c6aed950f474cbce8b62edc6/small/MiLB_MAY_15_3e79.jpg A good trade has an impact on both teams. So while the Seibu Lions gave up one of the best pitchers in Japanese history in Daisuke Matsuzaka, let no one say they didn’t get anything in return. Like the most amazing bathrooms you’ve ever seen. With the $51 million they received from the Red Sox, Seibu [...] Sun, 03 May 2009 14:16:32 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Unveiling_The_Daisuke_Matsuzaka_Memorial_Toilets/616734 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Unveiling_The_Daisuke_Matsuzaka_Memorial_Toilets/616734 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Unveiling_The_Daisuke_Matsuzaka_Memorial_Toilets/616734 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/d/5d902af43260791850c6b5dc13b9244bbe4e46b8/small/dice-k.jpg I know things look grim Sox Fans, but if anybody can overcome, all the way to a World Series championship, it's these Boston Red Sox. It all starts with Daisuke Matsuzaka Thursday. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:46:13 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Red_Sox_A_Little_Worried/351175 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Red_Sox_A_Little_Worried/351175 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Red_Sox_A_Little_Worried/351175 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/c/fc7aa6dcba2d52c59044b178243e4e965ec7e7b1/small/red_sox_fan83276124.jpg