Red Sox 3, Yankees 2 (10)

Win or lose Sunday night, I was going to write about how this series didn't mean much in the grand scheme of things, as the loser would be 2nd in the AL East, but still have a significant lead in the Wild Card. However, this series has been a good gauge for the postseason. And what we learned was that these two teams are extremely close together.

Anyway, where would the Sox be without Josh Reddick? He's hitting .338 in his 45 games as a replacement right-fielder. His game-winning RBI was his 23rd of the season. That's 2 more than Drew has, even though Reddick has about 100 ABs fewer than JD.

We saw the strengths and weaknesses of both these teams on display these last three days. And while winning the division would be nice, the Sox have proven to be good enough on the road (33-21, the best in the Majors), that homefield advantage shouldn't be much of a factor.

But I did like to see this team grind out a win against Rivera. I liked Beckett's 6 innings of hard work in a humid environment. I liked the big hits by Scutaro, Ortiz, and Reddick. Not only was it fun to watch, but this kind of timely hitting is what can be the difference between winning and losing a playoff series.

Sox play 14 of the next 17 on the road, starting tonight in Minnesota. Wakefield goes for win #200 against Scott Baker.

-The Commodore

Yankees @ Red Sox Preview

So, the Sox and Yankees are all tied up for the top spot in the AL East. Truthfully it really doesn't matter all that much as their isn't a wild card team close to these two teams, but still anytime you can win the division it's kind of special.

Tonight we get Lester vs. Colon. Colon has been one of the biggest surprised in the MLB this season. Colon, though, has won his last two starts and has a 2.45 ERA over his past three. Overall he is 8-6 with a 3.30 ERA. Lester meanwhile is having another stellar season with an 11-4 record with a 3.17 ERA. The left-hander has won five straight outings against the Yankees, posting a 2.51 ERA, which is pretty damn impressive against such a great offense.

The Sox didn't play very well against the Indians, but they have had problems with them all year (no idea why), but they have played well against the Yankees this year (8-1). I think it continues tonight with their ace on the hill.

Red Sox win 7-2
Player of the Game: Lester
Game starts 7:10pm

A Rod's Crazy game Of Poker

Major League Baseball is taking "very seriously" the allegations that Alex Rodriguez took part in some illegal, underground poker games, one of which reportedly turned violent, and he could face suspension if his participation in the games is confirmed.ESPN

I don't really understand this whole thing, but it seems as A Rod has been involved in high stakes poker games. In 2005, Alex was warned to not involve himself in these types of games. A lot of people say he could be suspended based on his involvement in the games.

"The allegations, first reported by Star Magazine, are that the New York Yankees third baseman played in at least two of the games, one of which took place at a record executive's Beverly Hills mansion, where "cocaine was openly used" and a fight nearly broke out when one of the players refused to pay after losing "more than a half-million dollars."

I don't think it matters, that cocaine use happened, it's more the gambling aspect. This isn't a big deal in my eyes, what did he do wrong? Play a poker game. Should he have avoided the situation, maybe? But at the end of the day, it's a card game and as much as I hate A Rod, he shouldn't be suspended for this, even if it's found he played.

Oh, So That's What Happened to Hideki Irabu

Hideki Irabu was found dead, an apparent suicide in a home in Rancho Palos Verdes, a wealthy Los Angeles suburb. It is being reported that he hung himself.

If you can remember Hideki Irabu was basically the Yankees Dice-K (even called the Japanese Nolan Ryan). It was a huge deal when he came over, and he ended up being the worst pitcher ever (34-35 with a 5.15 ERA). Then it took a hysterical turn as not only was he bad, but George Steinbrenner used to refer to him as a fat toad.

He was a member of two Yankees teams that won the World Series, but his only postseason action was a single relief appearance in the 1999 AL Championship Series when Boston tagged him for 13 hits.

After he fell out of the majors Irabu's life feel apart. In August 2008, he was arrested in Japan for allegedly assaulting a bartender after drinking 20 mugs of beer. Police said he became angered after his credit card was rejected. In May 2010, Irabu was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol in Gardena, another Los Angeles suburb. Police said he was stopped after his car drifted outside of traffic lanes and he nearly collided with a parked car.

So, it's pretty obvious he had some kind of drinking problem, and it finally came to an end. I wish I could say there are some good memories of him, but the only good thing I can say is it was always entertaining to watch him as a Red Sox fan.

Why Wouldn't The Yanks Trade For Ubaldo, More Importantly Why Would The Rockies?

So it's been rumored that the Yankees have a hard on for Ubaldo Jimenez and that the Rockies are entertaining it. The Rockies supposedly asked for Jesus Montero C, Ivan Nova P, Manny Banuelos P and Dellin Belentes P (All of the Yankees top prospects). That deal is a little absurd, but if your the Rockies so is trading a 27 year old stud, who maybe struggling a little this year, but is a year removed from a 19-8, 2.88 era, 218 K year.

I get it from the Yankees standpoint, they need to make a splash because they aren't that great pitching staff wise and need to fill the hole, but I'm a little confused from the Rockies. If they got that haul it could be justified, but I would expect that type of deal if you were talking Troy Tulo, but we aren't.

The only reason the Rockies would be entertaining this would be if they know something we don't. If they noticed a trend with Jimenez. I mean he's having an off year, but he would instantly be CC's 1B if he went to New York, and would be good insurence if CC opted out and happened to sign elsewhere (not going to happen).

For some reason I believe the Yankees trade for him at the deadline and it cost Banuelos, Montero and Nova.

BMack Is Pumped Cano Beat Gonzalez In The Derby

I don't know when it happened, but Bob turned into a Yankee fan a long time ago, right when he traded for Robinson Cano. Once he did that reality and fantasy combined into one and clouded the young Macks mind and our once loyal Red Sox fan turned into a Yankee loving snob. A couple of examples, when we were watching players that he didn't mind and he was blushing when he started talking about Cano, then we were AT Fenway and he was filling out a All Star ballot and I don't know who he picked at catcher, but he picked Adrian for 1st which is great and I thought he was reformed, and THEN he picked Cano for 2nd. I almost lost my shit, I took it an ripped it up and he reprimanded me about how Cano is great and shit.

So when it came to last night during the derby, it was no surprise that BMack was supporting Cano over our Adrian Gonzalez. When Cano hit that 12th homerun, he stood up and was running all over his house, and twittered about it congratulating Cano.

So the question I ask of our readers, because of what BMack has shown in support of the Yankees does that make him a traitor?

Jeter To Return Monday

Word is Jeter just through a full practice, and was able to run around the bases 100% without any problem. The goal is to have him playing minor league games this weekend and be back with the Yankees as early as Monday. Jeter is just 6 hits short of the 3,000 hit marker and I am sure Yankee fans are just drooling over that, but you have to wonder if the Yankees have been playing ball better without him around. The Yankees have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games. Nunez is good in the field and has much better range, but I still think Jeter is the better player at this time.

Yankees Rotation Coming Together?

The Yankees have sustained injuries to their rotation, but they seem to be on their way back. Hughes is expected to make two more rehab starts before being activated from the disabled list, and Colon is expected back the first or 2nd week of July. Even with this news I have my questions with the Yankees staff.

For one I have not been impressed with Hughes. In his rehab start he started out throwing 95 MPH, which was great news. Then it quickly feel, and by the 5th inning he was back to throwing 88. He is not going to be affective at that speed.

I still feel Garcia and Colon are on borrowed time, and even though the Yankees are playing well right now they won't do too much unless they make a trade for more starting pitching.

Carlos Zambrano To Yankees?

Umm, yes please!

There are reports that top advisers to Yankees GM Brian Cashman have been at recent outings of Carlos Zambrano. Obviously, that starts rumors that the Yankees might try to bring him in. I couldn't root for this more to happen. I hate Zambrano so much, and would love to root against him. Plus, he sucks. You add that pressure of New York to this guy and he is going to snap, and I would love to sit back and watch that happen. If that wasn't good enough over $28MM remaining on his contract, and the Yankees are already bleeding money. Sure, they will never run out, but it has to get annoying.

Zambrano is a bum, and his 4.50 ERA in the NL will easily be over 5.00 if he comes to the AL East. I will pray each night, and will a goat for the baseball Gods if they let this happen.

Yankees Falling Apart

We have already hears that Colon is on the DL (shocking), and now we get word that Jeter and Russel Martin could be next. When you add that to Joba, Rafael Soriano, and Highes the Yankees could be in some trouble. I wrote awhile back how the downfall of the Yankees is coming. They might be good this year, but what about in 2-3, as Jeter and A-Rod get older and are unmovable because of their contracts?

Let's forget about the long term though and focus on this year. The Yankees are 1-8 against the Red Sox so far this year, most recently getting swept at Yankee Stadium in which only one game was decided by less then a 5 run margin. On top of that the Sox are riding a 9 game winning streak while averaging 9.2 runs per game.

With the Yankees injuries the Yankees have they are in serious trouble. Sure, they might go out and sign some pitchers and they always seem to have the money, but I don't see them getting anyone who is going to make them better then the Red Sox. On top of that I think there are a couple teams that could pass them in the Wild Card. The Rays have a lot of good young pitchers, and Longoria is finally healthy should start rolling soon. The White Sox are the sleeping giants in the AL, you would think with all their talent they are going to start rolling at some point (maybe they already are, 9-4 in their last 14 games). Then there are the Tigers, who look more dangerous by the day.

Maybe I am being to hard on them, but maybe I am not. There is not a lot that excites me about their team, and with each passing day they are a little bit older, a little bit slower, and a little more overpriced.

Red Sox 8, Yankees 3

If you stayed up late, really late, you saw the Sox beat the Yankees. Many people might have endured the 3+ hour rain delay, and watched Sabathia cruise through the Sox lineup. It wasn't until the 7th that the Sox got to Sabathia. He was working a 2-hitter going into that frame, and he left on the hook for the loss.

Ortiz was once again the centerpiece of the offense. He had a pair of hits in that 7th inning, including a 2 run double.

If I were a Yankee fan, I'd be pretty pissed. Not only have the Yankees failed to beat the Red Sox on the field, they're not pitching inside. Sabathia had the stones to hit Ortiz. But Ortiz got the last laugh. Ortiz has played 161 games against the Yankees and had NEVER been hit by a pitch.

I wish the Sox could play the Yankees every game.

A three game set in Toronto begins tonight. Clay Buchholz faces Jo-Jo Reyes.

-The Commodore

Red Sox @ Yankees Preview

Two of CC Sabathia's three losses this year have come against the Red Sox. Josh Beckett beat him both times, and guess who is on the hill tonight?

The Red Sox have dominated the Yankees this year going 7-1 so far against their rivals. They have also stole 1st place from the Yankees. New York can tie it back up tonight, but I feel the Sox just have their number this year.

Pedroia will be out tonight, and the Sox do usually have a tough time against lefties, but with the way Gonzalez and Ortiz are hitting the ball right now it's just not going to be matter.

Beckett is 4-2 with a 2.01 and with Lester struggling a little bit has once again become the ace of this staff. Beckett is looking for a fourth consecutive victory over the Yankees.

Sabathia is on a hot streak of his own winning his last four starts while compiling a 1.60 ERA and throwing at least eight innings in each. The dude is a workhorse, and was one of my favorite players before the Yankee signed him.

I think it will be a low scoring game tonight, but the Sox get to CC late and pull it out.

Sox win 3-2
Player of the Game: Gonzalez
Game starts at 7:05pm

Red Sox 11, Yankees 6

The Red Sox beat the Yankees. Again. It's becoming a repetitive theme. And the reason for that is pitching. While Tim Wakefield was solid last night, AJ Burnett was his hapless self.

The Yankees have an offense similar to the Sox, but the Yankees' starting pitchers are a joke, apart from Sabathia. Even Colon, who's managed a solid record, struggles against the Sox. It's so sad that I'm actually starting to feel a little bad for the Yankees.

Starting to feel bad, not actually feeling bad.

Ortiz, Crawford, and Drew homered last night. Wakefield wasn't stunning, but he did better than Burnett. It should be a nice pitching duel tonight as Beckett goes against Sabathia.

-The Commodore

Red Sox @ Yankees Preview

The Red Sox and Yankees are now tied for first place in the AL East. After last night's win the Sox are now 6-1 against the Yankees this season, and if that wasn't bad enough from New York it looks like Teixeia won't be able to play tonight.

The Sox are putting the old knuckleballer on the hill tonight to face AJ Burnett. Burnett is having a very nice bounceback year going 6-3 with a 3.86 ERA and is seeking his 3rd straight win.

Wake has had some nice success going 2-0 with a 3.20 ERA since returning to the rotation May 22. He could be due for a bad game, and one would think that Yankee Stadium would help that theory. Yet, I feel like the Sox are going to win tonight. Burnett is a moron and is going to peg one of the Red Sox. He has had control problems in the past, and I think the Sox can exploit that. Plus he is 0-3 with a 7.59 ERA in his last eight against the Red Sox.

Boston wins 7-5
Player of the Game: Crawford
Game starts at 7:05pm

6 Red Sox, 4 Yankees

We got the win against the Yankees, sweet, but I really think it's time we start monitoring Jon Lester. I have been shrugging it off like he is just going through a rough patch, however, he hasn't looked good or the Ace that we expect thus far this year. His line is alright, six innings, eight hits, three runs. But he hasn't been dominant to say the least. I'm afraid that there may be something wrong with him and a DL stint may be in the card, which for the Sox would be devastating.

Offensively we are fine. In the 1st Jacoby hit a homer and Gonzalez hit a triple? and scored a run.

Things got a little hectic in the ninth as our Jonathan Papelbon walked a guy and gave up a single to Posada (who replaced Teixiera after Lester plunked him) to make it a 6-4 game. Then he struck out Curtis Granderson and A-Rod swinging for his 12th save of the season and 200th of his career, becoming the fastest closer to reach the mark (359 games).

Tonight the Sox rely on the Wake to take the division lead.

Red Sox @ Yankees Preview

Big series for the Red Sox. The Yankees are 1 game up on the Sox for 1st place in the AL East. It actually funny to see the Sox this close, last time these two teams played the Red Sox were tied for last place, since then they have gone on a 16-6 run. The Yankees are red hot as well winning 13 of their last 18 games.

Tonight Boston has Lester going against Freddy Garcia. Garcia has been a nice surprise for the Yankees going 4-4 with a 3.34 ERA. Garcia has also had nice success against the Red Sox in his career (8-3 4.56 ERA). Lester is 7-1 with a 3.49 ERA in 13 starts against New York, and he's won the last four of those while posting a 2.05 ERA. Lester had his 7 game win streak snapped last by the White Sox, as he let up 7 runs over 5 2/3 innings in a 7-3 loss. He will be taking the mound on 7 days' rest, which is a good thing after throwing 127 pitches (2nd highest total of his career).

Even though Boston was a mess last time these two teams played the Sox have actually had a lot of success against the Yankees this year. Boston is 5-1 against their rivals, and with Lester on the hill I expect the Sox to take this game tonight.

Red Sox win 7-2
Player of the Game: Jon Lester/Adrian Gonzalez
Game starts at 7:05PM

Rafael Soriano Could Be Gone Awhile

"A third MRI on Rafael Soriano's elbow has prompted the Yankees to send the pricey reliever to see Dr. James Andrews, report Mark Feinsand and Sean Brennan of the New York Daily News. The writers note that this marks Soriano's sixth elbow-related DL stint; he's a survivor of Tommy John surgery and ulnar nerve transposition surgery (MLBTradeRumors)."

Wow, what a fucking bust. Anytime you hear the name Dr. Andrews you know it's bad news. Soriano was on his way back, but suffered a setback while throwing a bullpen session. From the sound of it the Yankees did not like what they found in their MRI and now are sending him to see a specialist.

You know right now is sitting in a dark room evilly laughing to himself. He told the Stienbrenners that this was a terrible idea, and as the article goes on to say, if this is indeed a long term problem the Yankees are going to have to go out and spend more money (and maybe prospects) to fix their bullpen. Oh yea, let's not forget they will probably need a starting pitcher or two.

Rafael Soriano Hits The DL

"Soriano landed on the disabled list Tuesday and is expected to miss at least another two weeks, reports Ben Shpigel of the New York Times. Soriano didn't help matters by blaming the offense, and the not the bullpen, for the team's recent slide (ESPN)."

HAHAHA, I feel like I could write a negative story about the Yankees everyday. Jeter is blowing up, Posada is being a little bitch, A-Rod seems to be on the decline, and Soiano looks like a complete bust. You should never call out any one part of your team. You can't be a pitcher and say the offense is costing you game. Rumor is that Soriano is the most hated person in the locker room, and on top of that he hasn't pitched well all year....Not a good combo. All of this just makes Cashman look smarter, since he was the one who was pissed that they were giving up a 1st round pick in this year's draft to sign this assclown.

More Trouble In The Bronx

There was a huge fallout this weekend after Posada refused to take the field, since he was put to 9th in the batting order. That is fucking insane since he is .165 on the season. Things seemed to cool down with the Yankees, as he apologized the next day, but in typical New York fashion this problem isn't going away...

"Jeter, in his statements to reporters, essentially exonerated Posada from any wrongdoing for taking himself out of Saturday's lineup against Boston. According to sources, Yankees management was surprised and frustrated by what Jeter said -- particularly in his standing as captain -- even after Posada acknowledged that he was wrong in his actions Saturday and apologized to manager Joe Girardi (ESPN)."

The article goes on to say that the Yankees were so mad at Posada that they considered just cutting him. If he doesn't start hitting soon, they might anyways. Now this seems to be turing into a weekly problem with Jeter. He has been blasting the Yankees right and left. First his contract, then how it became public, now this...

"If I thought he did something wrong, I'd be the first to tell him," Jeter said in the midst of a long session with reporters (ESPN).

How is bailing on your team not the wrong thing to do. It is obvious Jeter is standing up for his friend, but he should've left this alone. Posada had no right to do what he did. He is useless against lefties (not a single hit against one), he can't catch anymore, and as I stated before is hitting .165. So getting dropped in the order should be the least of his concerns. They fact that he is even playing right now is kind of a gift.

There was an article written over the weekend by ESPN that went into detail about how this is going to be a growing problem. They have an aging 3rd baseman, who is signed till he is 40+, and seeming pissed off SS who's skills are declining. They went on to add CC into this mix, but I'm not ready to do it. The bottom line is that as ugly as this Posada thing might get, it is probably only to get worse in the future.

Red Sox 7, Yankees 5

It's May 16th. And even though the weather's a bit raw, the baseball season is well under way. Summer is approaching. And for the first time all year, the Red Sox are .500.

Remember a few weeks ago, when we were all talking about 100 regular season wins? And now we're skipping in the streets about having as many wins as losses.

It seems kind of silly. Then again, sweeping the Yankees in the Bronx in order to reach this plateau makes it extra special. And the Yankees are only 2 games above .500. As much as the Sox have struggled, they're only 3 games behind the Rays. With 122 games left to play.

Pitching has propelled the Sox to .500. But hitting provided the final ounce of propulsion. They've finally started to hit with runners in scoring position, kind of, and finally started hitting homeruns. Youkilis' 3 run homer in the 3rd was vital to the Sox' effort last night. Ortiz's and Salty's provided the necessary insurance to win.

To be blunt, the Yankees simply aren't that impressive. They've got plenty of names that were intimidating in the late 1990s, but now are just prima donna headcases that seem to distract more than contribute. And how much money is Jeter going to get to hit .260? It's not as if he was underpaid before this season, either. What an overrated, greedy bucket of garbage.

The Sox have finally cracked .500. They'll start a homestand that might be impeded by this unseasonable rain, though. Matsuzaka faces Chris Tillman of the O's tonight, weather permitting.

-The Commodore