Cracks are Showing

Boston has started to stumble a little bit lately.  Hopefully the ship will be righted soon, but the way Tampa Bay has been playing lately, it may not happen while they are still in first place.  This week was a scheduled four game set at Fenway against the Rays, but the last game was rained out.  When the clouds cleared, Boston was clinging to a half game lead after losing two of the three against the Rays stellar pitching.

07/22:  Rays 3 Red Sox 0 (60-41)
Matt Moore completely shut down the Red Sox.  Brandon Workman pitched well, but the offense completely stalled.  The only hits were from David Ortiz and Mike Napoli.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

BRANDON WORKMAN:  6 innings, 7 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts, Loss.

07/23:  Red Sox 6 (61-41) Rays 2

Boston's only win of the series came on the strength of Jon Lester's arm as he pitched as well as he has in weeks.  The Red Sox did execute a rare double steal of second and home with Pedroia taking second and Victorino taking home on the throw, which included an error.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

JON LESTER:  6.1 innings, 7 hits, 2 runs, 0 walks, 8 strikeouts, Win.

07/24:  Rays 5 Red Sox 1 (61-42)
Boston again had a strong starting pitching performance, but the Rays again had a better one.  Mike Napoli homered off David Price, but that was all the offense could muster against the reigning Cy Young Award Winner.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

FELIX DOUBRONT:  6.2 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts, Loss.

Red Sox Drop 2 of 3 in Oakland

The last series before the All Star break found the Red Sox losing two out of three.  It was an exhausting West Coast trip that is thankfully over.

07/12:  Red Sox 4 (58-37) Athletics 2
John Lackey continued to pitch well in his redemption season and took the win.  Shane Victorino got hit in the wrist with a pitch but remained in the game.  Mike Napoli managed to hit a triple.  He is not the fastest guy in the world.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

DUSTIN PEDROIA:  2 for 4, 2 RBIs.

07/13:  Athletics 3 Red Sox 0 (58-38)
Jon Lester pitched well for the first time in awhile but was victimized by a non-existent offense.  Boston had seven hits, but only one for extra bases and could not scrape together a run.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

JON LESTER:  6.1 innings, 6 hits, 3 earned runs, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts, Loss.

07/14:  Athletics 3 Red Sox 2 (58-39)
Brandon Workman made his first Major League start and flirted with a no-hitter, giving up his first hit in the 7th inning.  It was an impressive debut, but former Red Sox Bartolo Colon shut down the offense again.  Boston lost in the 11th when new Red Sox Matt Thornton gave up the winning run.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

BRANDON WORKMAN:  6.1 innings, 2 hits, 2 earned runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts.

Flying High Again

The Red Sox took on the surging Blue Jays for a four game set Thursday through Sunday.  The Jays had won 11 in a row just a few days before coming to Boston.  The Red Sox though were not impressed.

06/27:  Red Sox 7 (48-33) Blue Jays 4

The Red Sox scored seven runs in the second inning and that was all they needed.  Jon Lester pitched well but left the game with a jammed hip.  Sounds painful.  Dustin Pedroia hit a home run for the Red Sox.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

JON LESTER:  7 innings, 4 earned runs, 5 strikeouts, 3 walks, Win.

06/28:  Red Sox 7 (49-33) Blue Jays 5

Allen Webster, one of the major pieces the Red Sox got in last year's big Dodger trade, pitched very well, going six innings and left with the lead.  Andrew Bailey naturally coughed it up.  He has to be injured.  But Boston came back to win on the strength of a Jonny Gomes RBI.  Koji Uehara held on for the save.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

STEPHEN DREW:  2 for 2, 2 RBIs, double, triple.

06/29:  Blue Jays 6 Red Sox 2 (49-34)

Felix Doubront pitched well but the offense was not able to come through until late.  They tied the game but then the bullpen imploded for four runs.  Jonathan Diaz made his Major League debut at third base.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

SHANE VICTORINO:  2 for 4, double, 2 RBIs.

06/30:  Red Sox 5 (50-34) Blue Jays 4

Once again the bullpen coughed up a lead.  This time Koji Uehara allowed a tying home run to Jose Bautista, but Boston came back to load the bases then take the lead on a groundball from Victorino that went through first baseman Josh Thole's legs.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

NO CARD YET

BRANDON SNYDER:  2 for 4, double, 2 RBIs.

Red Sox Drop 2 of 3 from the Blue Jays

Boston continued to struggle this weekend losing two of three from the Blue Jays.  I was away all weekend so I was not able to do this for each game.  I am not going to get too in-depth into the summaries, I might just list Players of the Game.

MAY 10, 2013: Red Sox 5 (22-14) Blue Jays 0

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

JON LESTER: Complete game, 2 hits, shutout, 5 strikeouts

May 11, 2013: Blue Jays 3 Red Sox 2 (22-15)

Clay Buchholz pitched well but stand-in closer Junichi Tazawa gave up the game-winning home run in the ninth inning.  Boston needs Bailey back soon.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

CLAY BUCHHOLZ: 8 innings, 2 earned runs, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts

May 12, 2013: Blue Jays 12 Red Sox 4 (22-16)

Ryan Dempster did not have it in this game at all.  Boston was crushed by five home runs, two by Jose Bautista.  The injury bug came back and took David Ross (concussion) and Shane Victorino (ribs).

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

MIKE NAPOLI: 3 for 4, home run, double, 2 runs

Pack Breaks 03/19/13

Yesterday I had to put my cat that I have had for half of my life to sleep.  It was a thoroughly depressing day and I was feeling pretty bad this morning still.  So since I was at Wal Mart picking up envelopes to mail cards for trades accomplished on one of the trading forums, I decided to pick up something cheap.  I saw rack packs of 2013 Opening Day, a product I don't typically pick up, and they were cheap, so I bought some.

I got two Red Sox:

42 Jon Lester

Ballpark Fun 1 Dustin Pedroia.  This is my favorite of the two cards.  Any time I add a Red Sox insert or parallel, I consider it a very successful buy.  I just don't seem to do it all that often.

Game Summaries: 03/15/13-03/17/13

Catching up here.  Spring Training will only last a couple more weeks.  It is looking more and more likely that Stephen Drew, David Ortiz, Franklin Morales, and Craig Breslow will all start the season on the Disabled List.  This could lead to Jose Iglesias, Ryan Lavarnway, and Jackie Bradley Jr. all making the big league club, as well as delaying a tough decision on Clayton Mortenson, who was impressive last year, and Daniel Bard, who has looked good this year.  I still think we will see a trade before the season.

03/15/13
Red Sox 3 Orioles 3
Game 1 of a split-squad doubleheader ended in a tie.  Boston had a few chances to put the game away but just could not do it.
Player of the Game:  Bryce Brentz (1 for 2, home run).  Making his Spring Training debut after shooting himself in the leg, Brentz wasted little time in showing that he is one of the best power-hitting prospects in the Red Sox system in years.

Red Sox 5 Twins 0
Game 2 of the doubleheader went to Boston without any doubt.
Player of the Game:  Felix Doubront (4 IP, 2 hits, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts).  Doubront looks pretty good after a slow start to the Spring.  Looking forward to him this year.

03/16/13
Red Sox 9 Rays 2
Alfredo Aceves started the game on his return to the team from the WBC.  He almost managed to start a brawl.  Aceves is crazy, not Vicente Padilla-crazy (who is?) but he's crazy.
Player of the Game:  Ronald Bermudez (3 for 4, run, 2 RBIs)

03/17/13
Red Sox 5 Rays 2
The Red Sox wore green today and beat the Rays in at least the 417th time they have played them this year. These two teams are going to be very familiar with each other by the time the season starts.
Player of the Game:  Jon Lester (6 IP, 6 strikeouts).  The Red Sox had a perfect game through eight innings and man, Lester looks ready to put 2012 behind him.  Good thing too.

02/24/2013 Red Sox 5, Cardinals 3

Player of the Game: Jon Lester (2 IP, 1 strikeout).  It took Lester only 24 pitches to make it through two innings.  Hopefully he will return in a big way this year.

Boxscore: August 8, 2006: Royals 6 vs. Red Sox 4

This is, to this date, the last Red Sox game I have attended. My friend from work and I went down to Kansas City to see the Red Sox take on the Royals. This was during a particularly cold streak for Boston and they could not win a single game against the Royals that series. Injuries had decimated the team and the pitching was particularly hurt.

Jon Lester started the game, but he was a rookie and was very wild. He pitched five innings, giving up four runs, three walks, and five strikeouts. Of course, the bullpen was pretty bad and Craig Hansen and Rudy Seanez each gave up a run. Julian Tavarez also pitched in the game.

The big bright spot for the game was Wily Mo Pena who hit a ball so hard that the outfielders did not even move. The ball landed on top of the concession stand and was one of the furthest hit home runs in Kaufman Stadium history. David Ortiz also hit a home run in the game, his 41st. Manny Ramirez, Alex Gonzalez, and recent pickup Javy Lopez each had two hits in the game. Mike Lowell and Kevin Youkilis also each had a hit. Ramirez, Lopez, Youkilis, and Gonzalez each had a double. Coco Crisp stole a base, and Mark Loretta and Alex Cora each had two hitless at-bats.

The Royals simply played better than the Red Sox that game.

Searching for BoSox

I will do these once in awhile. I bought some stuff at the local Target. I only buy cards looking for Red Sox.

Here's what I bought:
2010 Topps Series 2 Jumbo Pack
2010 Topps Chrome Value Pack
2009 UD Icons Retail Blaster

Time for a live break:

2010 TOPPS SERIES 2 JUMBO PACK
PACK 1:
Wandy Rodriguez Astros
Texas Rangers TL w/ Kinsler and Hamilton (I'm rooting for Texas in the ALCS)
Brandon Wood Angels
Joel Pineiro Angels (former Red Sox don't count)
Andy Marte Indians (a Red Sox for about 5 seconds)
Dusty Hughes Royals RC
Jesse English Nationals RC
Nick Markakis Orioles
Alberto Callaspo Royals
Jim Bunning The Cards Your Mom Threw Out Phillies
Derek Jeter History of the World Series Yankees (blech)
Clayton Kershaw 2020 Dodgers (this is pretty cool actually)
Aaron Hill Peak Performance Blue Jays
Joe Morgan Turkey Red Reds (I miss firejoemorgan.com)
Mark Buehrle White Sox
Emilio Bonifacio Marlins
Carlos Guillen Tigers
Mike Napoli Angels

So that was a bust.

PACK 2:
Wade LeBlanc Padres
Brandon Webb Diamondbacks
Mike Pelfrey Mets
Travis Ishikawa Giants
Clete Thomas Tigers
Babe Ruth/Lou Gehrig CL Yankees
Jhoulys Chacin Rockies
Trevor Crowe Indians
Kevin Kouzmanoff Athletics
Raul Ibanez Phillies
Red Sox Team Card w/ Youkilis, Francona, Ellsbury, Varitek, Bates (of course I already have this)
Phil Hughes Yankees
Reggie Jackson Vintage Legends Yankees
Bo Jackson Royals/Justin Upton Diamondbacks Legendary Lineage
Josh Johnson Attax Marlins
Chien Ming Wang Nationals
George Sherrill Dodgers
Michael Bourn Astros
Brendan Ryan Cardinals

Another bust. One Red Sox (that I already had), too many Yankees.

TOPPS CHROME VALUE PACK
PACK 1:
Vladimir Guerrero Rangers
Chase Utley Xfractor Phillies
Nick Markakis Orioles
Aramis Ramirez Cubs

Bust. Nice Utley though.

ORANGE REFRACTOR PACK:
A.J. Burnett Yankees
Vernon Wells Blue Jays
Jason Bay Mets (damn, former Red Sox again)

Yet another Yankee. No Red Sox cards

PACK 2:
Justin Upton Diamondbacks
Wilson Ramos RC Xfractor Twins
Howie Kendrick Angels
Tommy Hanson Braves

Beginning to rethink this whole thing.

PACK 3:
Miguel Tejada Orioles
Vernon Wells Refractor Blue Jays
Derek Jeter Yankees
Shin-Soo Choo Indians

Absolutely no Red Sox in this whole thing. I could have saved myself some money.

UD ICONS
PACK 1:
Ryan Dempster Cubs
Jose Reyes Mets
Jason Giambi Athletics
Chris Young Diamondbacks
Roy Halladay Blue Jays

PACK 2:
A.J. Burnett Yankees
Josh Beckett Red Sox (finally)
Randy Johnson 20th Anniversay Retrospective Diamondbacks
David Wright Mets
Stephen Drew Diamondbacks

PACK 3:
Ervin Santana Angels
Brian McCann Braves
Alfonso Soriano Foil Cubs
Derrek Lee Cubs
Albert Pujols Cardinals

PACK 4:
Magglio Ordonez Tigers
Corey Hart Icons Jersey Brewers (the "hit" of the box)
Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners

PACK 5:
Ichiro Mariners
Kosuke Fukudome Cubs
Johan Santana Mets
Garrett Atkins Rockies
Carlos Beltran Mets

PACK 6:
Akinori Iwamura Rays
Chad Billingsley Dodgers
Willie Stargell 20th Anniversy Pirates
Matt Holliday Athletics
Hanley Ramirez Marlins (I wish the Red Sox had not traded him, but he did bring two key components to the 2007 World Series Champs)

PACK 7:
Nick Markakis Orioles (seem to be pulling a lot of him today)
Joakim Soria Royals
Carlos Quentin White Sox
Michael Young Rangers
Jay Bruce Reds

PACK 8:
Daisuke Matsuzaka Red Sox (finally)
Ryan Howard Phillies
James McDonald RC Dodgers 885/999
Cliff Lee Indians
Russell Martin Dodgers

PACK 9:
Adam Dunn Nationals (could he be a Red Sox next year?)
Joe Mauer Twins
Jon Lester Red Sox (that's three new ones, four overall)
Tim Lincecum Giants
Alfonso Soriano Cubs

PACK 10:
Dan Uggla Marlins
Ryan Zimmerman Nationals
Rudolf Giuliani 20th Anniversary (what's this doing here?)
Ryan Ludwick Cardinals
Josh Hamilton Rangers

So that's it. I should have just bought the Icons box. Three Red Sox out of less than 50 cards is a pretty good ratio. The way I figure it, I should be pulling Red Sox once out of every 30 cards for an approximate percentage of 3% of the time.

Today's ratio: 4 Red Sox out of 98 total: about 4%. A little ahead of the game. But, I pulled 7 Yankees (and generally better cards too, a refractor and a couple of inserts). Ah well. I expect these posts to keep track of how I am doing with pulling Red Sox from packs and will also keep track of the Yankees. I have a theory that Yankees cards are easier to pull.