So That's What Pitching & Defense Look Like

I had an image in my mind of Theo Esptein calling up Larry Lucchino last night to tell him that finally his pitching and defense idea is catching on. Low score games with phenomenal pitching, that's what we've all been counting on and for the last two nights the Red Sox have delivered.

After Clay's stellar outing yesterday, Jon Lester slightly one upped him by having an even better outing (hard to believe, but true). Lester had 11 strikeouts. That's right, 11! He was the ace we all know he is and effectively erased all memory of his previous bad starts.

Let's not forget to give props to both Bard and Papelbon who effectively held on to the 2 run lead and even made it look easy. It's always nice when Pap just does his job without trying to up the ante on excitement.

Darnell McDonald continues to amaze. Count me in the camp that viewed his debut as a fluke but he has more than proved me wrong and, for once, I am happy to say I was wrong. I'm also very happy to see Pedroia back in the 2nd spot in the lineup because for some reason it seems to be making a difference with his hitting. Watching Lowell pinch hit for Ortiz brought up usual mixed feeling for me. I would like to think Big Papi is not finished but it isn't looking so good for him, is it?

As an aside, I don't know if it is his ease at being back in Toronto (although how anyone could feel at ease in the cavernous Rogers Stadium is beyond me) but Marco Scutaro is beginning to show his personality. He exhibited a variety of different faces, tossed his bat and gloves, and even threw his batting helmet down in the dugout. Keep it up Marco!

Now that the Red Sox have swept the Blue Jays (A sweep! Finally!) they head down to Baltimore to show the Orioles that the one win they got on Sunday was an aberration and will not be happening again.

Hooray for Clay!

Clay Buchholz has always struck me as one of the most interesting players on the Red Sox. After having thrown a no hitter in his second major league start he seemed destined for greatness. Unfortunately, he couldn't seem to handle the mental pressure and ended up back down in the minors for a while. I found the story of his quick success and his inability to handle it fascinating, made more so by the fact that he has worked so hard to get over it.

I vividly recall when he was called up last year, on a day in Toronto when Josh Beckett got rocked at Rogers Stadium (sound familiar?) The next day, Clay went on to pitch great and stayed with the Red Sox for the rest of the season. He was somewhat uneven last year. Sometimes watching him was like waiting for a bomb to go off. You could tell by his body language and the look on his face that he was teetering close to losing it, and sometimes he did. But Tito had faith in him and sent him out for the 3rd game of the playoff series against the Angels, a game in which he pitched very well and Tito pulled him out of just in time.

During Spring Training this year the big story was the extra man in the rotation. Would Tim Wakefield or Clay Buchholz be the odd man out? Wakey had a great Spring Training for the msot part, Clay got shelled on more than one occasion. Nonetheless, Wakey got sent to the pen this week and Clay got the spot in the rotation. Last night in Toronto he proved that not only does he deserve it but he can handle the pressure. Clay was dominant. He was brilliant and he was a pleasure to watch. It has been too long so it has been a pleasure to watch one of our starters pitch.

Team Chemistry, You Either Have It or You Don't

Last night's game against the Blue Jays made something abundantly clear. The Red Sox are just about as good as the Blue Jays right now. It was an even match all around. And you know what? That's kind of scary because the Blue Jays don't beat the Devil Rays never mind the Yankees. My opinion is that there is just too much bad blood in the clubhouse these days. Theo Epstein likes to tell us that clubhouse chemistry doesn't matter as much as talent and I can agree that that is the case when a team is so talented that they are winning regularly, but when they aren't they need a lot of good will amongst themselves to get through the hard times. It's time the Red Sox hired one of those team building consultants to work with them. They need to work together to build rafts to and get across the Charles and come up with creative ways to get all of them up onto the Green Monster from the field. Things like that. Any other ideas for team building exercises that would help the Sox?

Bad Games Sound Even Worse From Florida

No readers, I have not been silent because I have been mourning the state of the Red Sox lately but because I have been in Florida on vacation. While I was gone I apparently missed two good games and a slew of bad ones.

You will all be happy to know that Red Sox nation is alive and well in Northern Florida. While we were there we saw a number of Red Sox fans, one random Cubs fan, and one Yankees fan. My son and I added to the Red Sox presence by wearing our gear regularly. One day my son wore his Ellsbury shirt, Red Sox shorts, and his Kid Nation hat. To save my husband from acute embarrassment I chose to not wear a Red Sox shirt that day.

Chances to watch the games were nil. The best I could do was bike down to Island Joes and use their wifi to watch the condensed version on my iPod and read the news. The last game I actually saw (rather than heard about or watched a condensed version of) was last Friday's rained out game at which Josh pitched wonderfully and Tek was his usual early season studly self. From what I can make out from my spotty coverage after that the Red Sox were abysmal against the Rays and fought hard against the Rangers, resulting in 5 games lost and 2 games won, including a sweep at the hands of the Devil Rays (at this point I think we should start put that Devil back in their names because those guys are going to be nothing short of evil for us this season).

The worst part about this is not just the embarrassment of having the Blue Jays ahead of us in the AL East but how bad the team has looked overall. There isn't just one thing you can point to that needs fixing. I would like to think everything would be better if Cameron and Ellsbury weren't on the DL but that's just wishful thinking. Maybe Dice-K returning to the rotation will be the shot in the arm needed? Unlikely.

I tend to think that Theo Epstein usually does a good job and athough I had my doubts about his off-season moves I was fairly confident that it would all work out in the end. Was I wrong? It is starting to look that way. But then again, we can just close our eyes, click our heels together and repeat, "It's only April" and things might still work out OK.

The Red Sox take on the favorite whipping dogs of the AL East this weekend, The Orioles. You just know we've got to get a win out of this (maybe even two or three). I'll be at the games on Saturday and Sunday. Look for me if you are there. I'll be the one in the Red Sox hat so say hi if you see me.

Bruins Hoping to be Lucky

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past week, you know that Bruins made it to the playoffs. After a season of hell for everyone involved, they were able to get a playoff berth with a win against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Now, for what we hope to be better, the first round of the playoffs start on Thursday April 15 against the Buffalo Sabres, a team the B's played well against in the regular season. Boston was able to win the season series 4-2. Even with this good little stat, the playoff are almost like a whole new season, so we'll have to see what happens with that.

Another thing the Bruins hope to have luck with is the NHL Draft Lottery. It will be on Versus at 8:00 p.m. on April 13, and then the NHL Network at 9. Rarely have we seen the B's get any luck during the draft lottery. But all we can do is dream right? Because with the right draft pick so many good things can happen for this team.

So with so many important things happening in one week, right now, all we can do is hope and pray that everything goes for the best. As Boston sports fans we've all been doing this for years, so this might not seem any different than any other year. But if the Bruins do get that little bit of luck, they will do well at the Draft Lottery, and be able to make at least to round 2 of the playoffs without any trouble.

Bruins Secure Place in Playoffs

In a game of pure excitement, the Boston Bruins were able to get the win against the Carolina Hurricanes, 4-2, and secure their place in the playoffs. The Bruins scored 3 short handed goals in a row on a powerkill in the 2nd period. All of this happened in a record 64 seconds. The goals were scored by Daniel Paille, Blake Wheeler, and Steve Begin respectively. Milan Lucic scored the 4th and final goal with 1 minute remaining in the final period. Tuukka Rask made 33 saves in the game.

But none of that was the most strangest part of the game. About three minutes into the third period, the Bruins had the puck in the Hurricanes' zone when a delayed penalty was called and they pulled Rask. But an errant pass came out of the zone, bounced off the boards at center ice and headed toward the empty net.

Going into the game needing only one more point to make it into the playoffs, going into overtime would have done it, but that was completely unnecessary. The Bruins come out 2 points ahead of Montreal, and 3 points ahead of the Rangers and Flyers. One of those 3 teams will not be making it to the playoffs.

So with one more game left in the season, and on the road, the Bruins can relax a little more, knowing they are in the playoffs. Bruins fans everywhere can now also relax. All in all, this was a great game to have happen. NO doubt about it.

Playing the Blame Game

3 straight loses in a row for the Red Sox after falling to the lowly Royals last night. I will admit to feeling a little smug about a win when I sat down to watch the game last night. I mean, it was the Royals, right? I can understand problems with the Yankees but the Royals without Zack Greinke pitching? That shouldn't be a problem.

Alas, it was a problem. So now is the time when the media and, dare I say some fans, start pointing fingers as to who is to blame. Big Papi is high on the list, as is Papelbon. The bullpen certainly gets a mention. The offense and defense can be called into question. And as for the highly touted starting pitching, well, that's not working out so well either. That's just about the whole team. Oh, and don't forget Tito and Theo in there too. Theo for not getting a big bat on the off season and Tito for mismanaging the team he was given. I think that covers everyone. It makes one wonder if we will ever win another game.

Oh those silly worriers. If this were September I might be worried. Maybe. But probably not. It's 3 games everyone. 3 games. And you know who we have pitching tonight? Josh Beckett. Sure, the Royals have their Cy Young pitcher out there tonight but we know who is going to come out on top. My theory is start every game feeling a little smug about a win. It's more fun to watch that way.

Bruins Still hoping for Playoff Spot

The Boston Bruins go into the game this afternoon still vying for a playoff spot. With 2 more games left, the B's still don't have a playoff berth. At 1 o'clock this afternoon, the Bruins take on the Carolina Hurricanes, playing at home, a place they have had some struggles.

This game is the last of four meetings between these two teams. The Bruins took 2 out of those 3 games, the last one coming on March 16 at Carolina.

For the Bruins, Patrice Bergeron has a goal and an assist in three games, Miroslav Satan has 3 goals in three games, Dennis Wideman has 2 goals and an assist in three games, and Zdeno Chara has 3 assists in three games.

For the Bruins, Marc Savrd (concussion) is on injured reserve, and Andrew Ferrence (groin), Dennis Seidenberg (wrist), Mark Stuart (hand) and Shawn Thornton (upper-body) are day-to-day.

The puck drops at 1:00 p.m., with coverage starting at 12:30. The game will be on NESN.

Tim Wakefield & His Handy, Dandy Knuckleball

Tonight at the Red Sox' first away game of the season we get Tim Wakefield taking on the Kansas City Royals. Should be a walk in the park, right? It could be or maybe not. I always feel when Wakey takes the mound that you can never be quite sure what will come out of him. That knuckleball can be a fickle thing. Sometimes it flutters beautifully and other times it's just a dud. At the very least we know we will be spared the sight of Wakefield hobbling around on the mound with his back pain flaring up, like we did at the end of last season. Wakefield had a lovely Spring Training so let's hope that it continues that way. Because if he does poorly tonight you can just bet that fans will be yelling for Dice-K's return from the DL and telling us that Wakey's best days are behind him.

Bruins Come Back to Defeat Sabres

The Boston Bruins may not have gotten the first goal of the game, but they were able to come back with 3 goals of their own to beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-1. The goals for Boston were scored by Miroslav Satan, Dennis Wideman, and Mark Recchi. Tuukka Rask had 33 saves in the game. The only Buffalo goal was scored by Derek Roy.

The Bruins are tied with Montreal in points at 87, but are ahead in the standings because they have 1 game in hand. The Flyers are 1 point behind, and the New York Rangers are in 9th 3 points behind the B's.

The Bruins have two regular season games left, playing the Carolina Hurricanes at home on Saturday and traveling to Washington the play the Capitals on Sunday. But they aren't thinking of the playoffs yet, even though if they were to start tomorrow, they'd be facing the Sabres in the first round.

Lackey Laughs at all of Clay's Jokes

You'd never know that the season had started by reading this blog since I haven't written anything since before Opening Night. Rest assured readers that I have been keeping up with the goings on of the Red Sox and just have been too busy and overwhelmed by all of it to write about it.

I'm sure you are all up to speed on the Sox' Opening Night victory and last night's defeat due to our shortstop's error and Okie's bad inning so I won't bother going into that. If you aren't up to speed on those things I recommend you go to boston.com and read about it. And I know you are all thinking I'm going to write about Josh Beckett's contract extension but really I've got nothing to say about that beyond breathing a huge sigh of relief.

In fact, there was a Clay Buchholz quote about Lackey this morning in an article at redsox.com that caught my eye. "He makes you feel good, because he laughs at all your jokes. He's always smiling. He's just a good guy to have on the clubhouse and on the field." My first thought was that Clay often has sweetly goofy things like that to say about people but then I thought, I wonder how bad Clay's jokes are? Does he often tell jokes and people don't laugh at them? Is that why he likes that trait so much in Lackey? Does he try to tell jokes to serious Jon Lester and snarky Josh Beckett and not get the reaction he's hoping for?

Despite my vocal pre-season dislike of John Lackey, the fact that he laughs at Clay's jokes bumps him way up in my estimation. Now if he can pitch well tonight he might clinch his place among my favorites (which number close to 25).

Bruins Get a Must Win against Toronto

In a very important game, The Bruins got the win over the Toronto Maple Leafs with a score of 2-1. On the eve of Easter, Miroslav Satan scored both goals for the Bruins, the first one in the 2nd period and the winning goal in overtime.

The Bruins are currently 7th in the East. Toronto has been stuck at the bottom of the East standings for almost two months, but coach Ron Wilson doesn't think his team is as far removed from the pack as it seems. The Maple Leafs have lost 14 of their 22 games that have been stretched past regulation time.

It was another frustrating game for Toronto's Phil Kessel, who spent time in the dressing room during the third period with what Wilson said was a cramp. The winger failed to score in six games against his former team and finished with just one assist and a minus-5 rating while facing the Bruins this season.

D Andrew Bodnarchuck made his NHL debut for the Bruins. Andrew Ference, Shawn Thornton, Trent Witfield and Mark Stuart sat out for the Bruins. Boston D Dennis Seidenberg left the game in the first period with a cut on his left wrist and didn't return.

Bruins Hope for a Win Against Toronto

Tonight is the final of six meetings between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Bruins lead the series 3-2. The last time these two teams played was on March 9, with Toronto taking the win.

The race for the last three playoff spots in the Eastern Conference will come down to a photo finish as the Bruins, the Flyers and the Canadiens have flip-flopped spots over the last few weeks. Montreal is currently in 6th place, with a win over the Flyers last night, and currently have 84 points. The Bruins and the Flyers are both 2 points behind with 82 points.

Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask leads the League with a goals-against average of 1.99 and a save percentage of .930. He is 3-2-0 in his last six with a 1.26 GAA and two shutouts. Patrice Bergeron has four points in his last five games. For the Leafs, Stalberg has three goals in his last two games, while former Bruin Phil Kessel leads Toronto with 55 points, but has yet to score against his former team this season.

Defenseman Andrew Ference (groin/hernia) did not make the trip to Toronto. Shawn Thornton missed Thursday’s game with an upper-body injury, but practiced on Friday. Maple Leafs defensemen Mike Komisarek (shoulder surgery) and Mike Van Ryn (left knee surgery) will not return this season.

The puck drops at 7:00 P.M. The game can be caught on NESN with coverage starting at 6:30 as usual.

You'd Never Know Pete Abraham Reported on the Yankees Last Year

Pete Abraham from the Globe is a gem. His Extra Bases blog is both funny and super informative. He tells you things that are going on that you just don't read about anywhere else. I have highly enjoyed him this Spring Training.

As we come into the home stretch of waiting for Opening Night Pete gave me yet another reason to like him: this video he posted. A perfect thing to watch while you wait for Sunday. Thanks Pete!

Bruins Haninging on by a String

With 36 shots on goal, and 90 total shots, the Bruins came out with a loss against the Florida Panthers, 1-0, at the TD Garden. The Bruins have struggled to win at home all season. Luckily, the B's came out of this game still tied for the final 3 playoff spots, and they have 5 more games of the season to play.

Scott Ballard was the only person that scored in the game, which came in the first period and was eventually the winning goal for Florida. It was Ballard's first goal against the Bruins.

The Bruins' loss left them tied with Montreal and Philadelphia in sixth, with Atlanta two points back in ninth and the New York Rangers another two points back in 10th. At least two of these teams will be left out of the playoff mix.

Tuukka Rask was selected the Seventh Player in an online vote of Bruins fans for going above and beyond the call of duty. Bruins forward Shawn Thornton missed the game with an undisclosed injury. Florida and Boston each have five games remaining.

6 games left, Bruins take on Panthers

With 6 games left in the regular season, the desperate Boston Bruins take on the Florida Panthers. This will be the fourth and final meeting between these two teams. The B's took 2 out of the first 3 games.

Even though there are only 6 games left, the Bruins have not clinched a playoff spot yet. They enter tonights game just 2 points ahead of the Atlanta Thrashers,who are in 9th place, and are currently tied with two other teams in points: Philadelphia and Montreal.

The Bruins are coming off an amazing win against the New Jersey Devils, where Patrice Bergeron scored the game winning goal (the only goal in the game by the way) with 18.3 seconds left in overtime. The Panthers on the other hand are coming of their fourth sraight loss, in which they were pummeled 6-2 by the Buffalo Sabres.

Florida forward David Booth (concussion) is done for the season. Gregory Campbell (foot) and Byron Bitz (elbow) are day-to-day. For the Bruins, defenseman Andrew Ference (groin) and center Marc Savard (concussion) are out.

The Bruins are just 3-10-3 in their last 16 games at TD Garden. So this game becomes even more important, as the Bruins remain desperate to stay in playoff postion. If anything good happens, the Bruins will come out with a win tonight (hopefully).

The puck drops at 7:00 pm. It can be caught live on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub. Be sure to watch.