Josh Beckett Weathers Many Storms

Guy found his saying and stuck with it. Drink every time Beckett says 'storm.'

All kidding aside though, I like the cut of his jib in this interview. It's good of him not to get distracted by contract stuff and worry about it. He came across as a professional in this one, and not a sleazy ickball question mark pitcher who maybe needs to make sure the shirt stays down. No need, Josh. No need at all.

I think it's over

Mind you, if you had a nickel for every time I thought it was over....okay, you wouldn't have that much, but you would have more than a nickel.

I think the Red Sox are done. They are down by 2 games in a best-of-5, they are not looking great and they have hit 1 run in two games. Mind you, they are coming back to Fenway now, which could help. But their effort to date has been pretty lackluster, as it was for a lot of September. I said it before: the problem is that they are streaky. The hitters have been drastically up and down all season and it seems like everyone follows the trend. Baseball is a fascinating game since the season is so long and people will not play the same way throughout. However, I think that the last couple weeks of the season did not bode well - as many Red Sox fans feared - and now we are in a pinch.

I was watching the game on Gameday, but thought Beckett did well. And really, we should be able to generate more offense than 1 run for him. He may have 'unraveled' in the 7th, but allowing 4 runs is not exactly a complete meltdown.

Also, I don't think TBS wants us to win since they have that dramatic Adenhart commercial for the Angels and we have nothing (not that it wouldn't be great for the Angels to win in dedication to him. Or at least beat the Yankees should it come to that). But Joba Chamberlain has one, the Cardinals have one, the Angels have one...what about us? How about 'The Saga of J.D. Drew'? Or Alex Gonzalez seeks to make himself seem worthy? Or Francona recovers from food poisoning? Surely these are also compelling narratives.

A post that doesn't mention a NE QB -- past or present -- at all

There are some things in life you think you can rely on. Then there is Josh Beckett. With the Red Sox on a tear and everything apparently coming together, Josh Beckett has now become unreliable. Take last night's performance against the Rays. He allowed 5 runs in the first three innings. Sure, we caught up, only to be heartily decimated by Evan Longoria (yes, again, what is it with that guy?!?). But still, it would help if we weren't in a 5-run deficit in the first place!

Beckett got better as the game went on, which makes me think that maybe he should just pitch one or two 'practice' innings before the game actually starts. Either way. I'm not back to PANIC MODE yet, but we need him strong in September!

Red Sox keep everything very interesting

Yesterday there was cause for PANIC in Red Sox Nation because Wakefield was scratched from the rotation. Even I was feeling a bit of the panic mode over that one because I feel that we will need him playing well to get us to the post-season.

Then out of nowhere, and I literally mean nowhere, Paul Byrd shows up and shuts out the Blue Jays for 6 innings. Remember him? We signed him last year as a potential add to our pitching staff, then didn't really need him. Apparently he was sitting around until July or something, then got a call and came back, playing some games in the Gulf League (in Fort Myers, FL) and Pawtucket. Suddenly, he goes in for a start and blam. Chalk up a win for him. Oh, and we brought in our new acquisition Billy Wagner as well, who shut them down in the ninth to end the game. Red Sox win 7-0 and sweep the Blue Jays.

I don't really know what to make of the Red Sox pitching situation anymore. Take Tazawa. He shuts down the Yankees - the Yankees! - at Fenway Park. Then gives up 7 runs in two innings to the White Sox in his next start. Beckett, who has been looking very strong all year, begins giving up lousy hits and seems unable to win against power teams. Out of nowhere, Paul Byrd pitches a shutout. I've always said that I like the Red Sox because baseball is rarely boring with them. The pitching over the past week may be a new height of not-boring for this team.

In good news, Wakefield (who has -- strangely enough -- been the most consistent pitcher this season) is getting a cortisone shot tomorrow, so may be back soon.

I want football to start again

It would be nice to cheer for at least one team that has a winning record.

Josh Beckett was suspended for 6 games today over a pitch that he allegedly threw during Saturday's game. It went near the head of a player. The Angels have been up in arms about this incident, whereas the Red Sox are claiming it is just one of those things that, you know, happens in baseball. Also worthy of note: the Red Sox have exactly one winning starting pitcher at this time: Josh Beckett.

Last night they got slaughtered again, this time by the Oakland As in an 8-2 blow-out of icky.

Apparently, we have not yet hit the 'panic number,' which is 1-6. However, we are 2-5, which really isn't all that much better.