LATEST STORIES FROM FIRE BRAND AMERICAN LEAGUE
9/26: Big money pitchers
September 26, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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GAME NOTES: A huge test on if Dice can be trusted ... ok, he can't ever be trusted this season, so let me modify... A huge test on if Dice can be somewhat trusted in the playoffs will come with his performance against the Yankees. If the dam breaks, it won't be pretty. On...
Stick a fork in Jason Varitek
September 26, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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If Friday night's game didn't convince you that Jason Varitek's time as a starting catcher has passed him by, I've got a fantastic house with a view of the ocean for you in Wyoming.
For some reason, dropped third strikes have become common with Varitek. I don'...
NYY 9, BOS 3 - Sox Lose More Than Lester
September 26, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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Friday was a night where the Red Sox had a great chance to send their division rivals a message. Instead, they stumbled from the get-go, falling behind 5-0 before they broke the shutout (and no-hitter) in the fourth.
The game was shaky from the beginning, as the Sox were retired...
9/25: Lester in New York
September 25, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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GAME NOTES: Jon Lester, the probable ace in October, duels against Joba Chamberlain who is fighting for his rotation spot (versus Chad Gaudin).
Should Jon Lester start Game 1 or 2?
September 25, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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Today, Rob Neyer talked about the news that Jon Lester was going to be the No. 1 starter for the Sox in the ALDS. While he concedes that on some ends it makes sense, he gave more face time to making the case for Lester starting Game 2. I'm here to disagree.
Neyer's two points...
Deadline Darlings: Bay vs. Martinez
September 25, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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For two consecutive seasons, Theo Epstein and the Boston Red Sox front office have made a splash on the infamous "Deadline Day". His shrewd ability to assess his team and aggressively make maneuvers to address any weaknesses or "fatal flaws" has been well documented...
BOS 10, KC 3 - Clay Delivers, KC Flops... Again
September 25, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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Red Sox 10 - Kansas City 3
Apparently, playing spoiler isn't as fun as the media makes it out to be. You get burned more often than you succeed.
With little more than a week left in the season, the Royals look to put the finishing touches on another disappointing campaign...
9/24: Buch-wild
September 24, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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GAME NOTES: Sorry for the late game thread, fellas... but boy, what a job this Clay is doing, eh?
The DH Rules
September 24, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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A designated hitter is paid to hit - only to hit. There's no fielding involved, no strain from the day-to-day grind, and mobility is not much of an issue.
With fielding requirements thrown out the window, there is an endless sea of candidates to fill the role, meaning the batting...
Red Sox represented in All-Decade honors
September 24, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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The Sporting News released their All-Decade honors today. The Red Sox were well-represented with David Ortiz winning DH of the decade, Theo Epstein GM of the decade and your beloved Red Sox as team of the decade with two World Series rings. Let's hope we end the decade with a third!
Injuries Among the Contenders
September 24, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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There is nothing that can derail a team quicker than a slew of injuries in October. The Sox have seen their fair share of injuries lately, though the M.A.S.H. unit has had some success returning the boys to action.
But they are not the only team in the hunt, as the Yankees, Twins...
BOS 9, KC 2: Do Unto Others...
September 24, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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Just one night after Paul Byrd dropped five runs in the first frame against the Kansas City Royals, KC found out what it was like to watch an entire game slip away in one inning. Behind a six run fifth inning, the Boston Red Sox gave the Royals one such beat down, taking their first...
9/23: Beckett + KC lineup = Bloodbath
September 23, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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GAME NOTES: Josh Beckett looks to grab his 16th win and continue his exit from the doldrums. Boston will face Luke Hochevar, who recently learned that he was tipping his pitches and thinks it's part of his struggles since entering the majors. He shut out the White Sox his last...
POLL: 3rd catcher in playoffs?
September 23, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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New Poll Question: Should the Sox carry a third catcher in the postseason?Yes, at the expense of a 11th pitcherYes, at the expense of a 5th OFYes, at the expense of KotchmanNoMy selection was 'Yes, at the expense of Kotchman.'The choice comes down to booting either Kotchman...
Should Manny Delcarmen make the playoff roster?
September 23, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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Back in 2006, a game thread was posted at Fire Brand (link doesn't work, sorry) in which Julian Tavarez gave up a game-winning grand slam to Jason Kubel. Former Fire Brander Andrew Lipsett wanted Delcarmen in the game; I defended Taveras. Lipsett's point:MDC hasn't proven...
KC 5, BOS 1: Byrd Gets His Wings Clipped In First
September 22, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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Seven sterling innings could not undo the wrongs of the first inning, as the Red Sox lose the second game of a four game series to the Kansas City Royals, 5-1.
Red Sox starter Paul Byrd gave up five earned runs in the first inning, a deficit from which the Red Sox could not recover...
Lester's Case for the Cy Young
September 22, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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The Cy Young Award campaigns are beginning to get heated this time of year. The baseball media has zeroed in on four prime candidates: Zack Greinke, C.C. Sabathia, Justin Verlander, and Felix Hernadez.
Each of these pitchers has a great resume, but Jon Lester has had quite the...
9/22: Byrd tries to defeat Greinke
September 22, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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GAME NOTES: The former Royal, Paul Byrd, will take on the likely Cy Young winner. Zach Grienke is basically the only good thing the Royals have going for them at the moment. x
Injuries, Blessings, and Manny Not Being Manny
September 22, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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A Pair of Injuries
On Monday, Junichi Tazawa was placed on the 60-day disabled list due to what has been described as a mild groin strain. While the groin gives the Sox a reason through which to DL Tazawa, the pitcher had reportedly reached his innings limit, according to the Red...
KC 12, BOS 9: Wakefield Gets Waterlogged
September 21, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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With a host of question marks looming over Tim Wakefield's much-anticipated return to the mound, it was the Red Sox bullpen that would leave everyone perplexed, as the Boston Red Sox drop the first game of a four game series to the Kansas City Royals, 12-9, in a come-from-behind...
9/21: Timmeh returns
September 21, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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GAME NOTES: Tim Wakefield returns after having to skip a start due to his constant back pain. He will start only once every 10 days from hereon out. Mike Silver wondered earlier today if this is Wake's final season. Opposing Wake is Lenny DiNardo, a former Red Sox lefty.
Wholesale Keychain TRIVIA: Batting champion
September 21, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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Who was the first ever batting average champion to play for Boston?HONOR CODE: No search engines, keyword searches.Check out the trivia leaderboard here.Previous
trivia
question: Rey Quinones in 1986 was the last Red Sox rookie to have two extra base hits in his rookie debut...
Top 3 troublesome spots for Red Sox in playoffs
September 21, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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Two Sundays from now, we'll be readying for our tilt with the Los Angeles Angels in the American League Division Series.
Boston just finished up a three-game tilt with the Mike Scioscia-led Angels, winning two out of three games. (The Red Sox lost the last game on a passed third...
Wakefield Set to Return, But For How Long?
September 21, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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After a successful side-session on Friday and strenth test on Saturday, Tim Wakefield prepares to return to the hill on Monday. The return should put him in line for the playoff push, though the reports coming out of Boston are not the most encouraging:
He will pitch once every...
BOS 9, BAL 3: No Surprise, Sox Sweep Orioles
September 20, 2009 by
Fire Brand American League
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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...
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