Red Sox vs Orioles Preview

Starting Pitchers

Boston: Wakefield (5-3, 4.74 ERA)

Baltimore: Bergesen (1-6, 5.65 ERA)

How I see it playing out:
Since the Sox are cruising and the Orioles blow donkey balls it's pretty clear that the Red Sox will win this one. I know we have the Tim Wakefield factor in this and he could give up some runs, however, we luck out as his counterpart Brad Bergesen sucks and may be the worst SP behind John Lackey.

The key to this game is to go far. The Bullpen was used a lot last night and we really need them to get a night off, so hopefully can pull one of his 8 IP, 7 hit, 2 er, 4 K games out of his ass.

Also, this is the first game that Carl Crawford is back. Many people are saying that he has been a failure so far, and although his early season struggles he was starting to put it together before the injury. I like Carl and think he has a monster 2nd half.

All of this is in wake of the beanball fest that took place a week and a half ago. Papi will be out the next 3 games for his suspension and that's a good thing. With Papi out there is no real reason for the Orioles to peg anyone, even though Youk could get hit as he always seems to get pegged.

Unlike BMack I refuse to be reasonable when it comes to picking the score and will never have the hometown team lose.

Winning pitcher: The Wake
Tommy Award: Carl Crawford
Score: 8- 2 Sox

Crawford Getting Closer

"The Boston Globe reports that Red Sox OF Carl Crawford could be ready to take the next step in his rehabilitation of his strained left hamstring. Crawford will get examined by team physician Dr. Thomas Gill on Monday, and he could possibly be cleared to begin baserunning drills. “He has to do some more baseball activities, but he has to go full speed on the bases for his own peace of mind,” Francona told reporters (CBS Sports)."

At least he seems like he is getting better. The Sox could certainly use him back. I know he hasn't been very good this season, but he is still better then anything else they have out there, and if a great defensive player. They Sox need to be careful though, if they bring him back to early it could cost him the season because of how much he relies on this legs.

Red Sox 14 Tigers 1

Boy was I wrong. I thought that Scherzer would be able to slow down the Red Sox offense, instead they lit him up for 7 runs in 2 innings. This game (much the game before) was over before it started.

Ellsbury hit a 3 run HR, and Crawford went 4-5 with 3 RBIs. Speaking of Crawford he is now batting .244, which is just .003 behind Pedroia in batting average. I wonder if a change in the lineup with will happen? I say not yet, but certainly something they will start looking at in a month or so, because right now they are so hot I wouldn't change anything.

Alfredo Aceves was very good once again, which has me thinking if we actually even want Lackey back. Anyways, he was great letting up just 1 runs over 6 innings strikingout out 6 batters.

Boston has won 11 of 13, and are tied for 1st place with the Yankees in the AL East. It's been an incredible turnaround, and if they can figure out their bullpen issues they could be unstoppable.

4 Red Sox, 3 Tigers

Clutch Crawford everyone.

That's his nickname and I'm sticking to it. BMack will obviously not support the nickname because he hates any idea I come up with mainly because he hates me, but how can you disagree. This man has won us 4 games this year, 3 with his bat and 1 with his legs and I have zero complaints with his contract, batting average, or what you pink hats consider lack of production.

To the game itself.
We were cruising, Josh Beckett was having another super game 6 innings, 1er and 3ks, but the Sox took him out of the game as a precaution for a tweaked neck..... pussy. The more in more he pitches, the more and more I'm starting to believe this Bard isn't what he's all cracked up to be. He immediately let up bombs to Brandon Boesch and Miggy. If it was me, I would not expect him to be the next closer of this club. After Papelbon had a scoreless but interesting inning Crawford hit the bases loaded walk off for the win.

Clutch Crawford, Dueling Couches did it again, now time for all the other sites to start copying us.

Red Sox Own The Angels

The Red Sox own the Angels. The Sox are now 14-15 overall, and more than a third (5) of those wins have come against Anaheim. And I'll take that. Because wins are at a premium right now.

Another Quality Start from Lester, his 6th straight. He's just so solid that it's unreal. Pretty much every start, he'll give the a team a good chance to win.

Crawford is finally hitting. That average of his is up to .194, close to the Mendoza line, close to his weight (215). The Sox finally hit some homeruns. Gonzales got his long-awaited 2nd homer, and that's a big relief. Ortiz got his second in 2 days, and Scutaro hit his first of the season.

Unfortunately, the Sox only have 2 more games against Anaheim this season, both this week. And until they consistently win games against teams that aren't the Angels or Blue Jays, I'm not going to fully believe that they've turned any corners. They're 8-1 against the Angels and Jays. 6-14 against everyone else.

Beckett faces 1-3 Ervin Santana tonight.

-The Commodore