Link: http://www.projo.com/redsox/content/projo_081908_red_sox20.12e9798b.html

Apparently, Beckett claims that he slept on his right arm wrong, and is now experiencing "tingling" in that right arm. His next start will now be pushed back 3 days.

So instead of pitching this Saturday in Toronto against the dreaded Blue Jays, Jon Lester will take his place on the mound instead. And on Sunday, it will be Daisuke Matsuzaka's turn. The Sox have an off day Monday, so Josh Beckett will get his next start on Tuesday against the New York Yankees in the Bronx.

It looks like a precautionary thing to me, so I'm not too worried about it. Anyone else concerned at all?

The Sox' offense has been somewhat inconsistent.  Since July 1st, three players have carried the team offensively: Youkilis, Pedroia, and Lowrie.  Here's a breakdown of each Red Sox hitter since July 1st:

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Look at this post on DRaysBay. Do Rays fans not realize that most of the highest attended ball games for the Rays come against the Red Sox, MFY, and other clubs with large fanbases? Without those games, the only thing that chart proves is that the closer you get to the playoffs, the more bandwagon fans will jump on. Bandwagoners seem to call South Florida home though. This graph shows a relationship between how many wins the Marlins have in a season and their attendance. As you can see, their attendance goes up when they win more. Meanwhile, the Red Sox are about to set a new record for consecutive sell outs (on September 3rd, 2008 vs. Baltimore Orioles), a streak which has been helped by the recent success of the Sox. I know that the majority of teams will have statistics that show an increase in attendance in winning seasons, but none have more pronounced differences between the attendance in winning and losing seasons than teams in South Florida. If the Rays return to their losing ways in the nest few seasons, I will be laughing if (and when) the local stores can't pay people to buy Rays gear and the club returns to giving out ticket vouchers at schools and at stores. However, if the current Rays fans stay with the team through the losing seasons to come, they should be applauded for being good and loyal fans.

Poll

Who are the worst bandwagon fans in all of sports? Please do not vote out of hatred for a team, but give serious consideration to the question. I only listed baseball teams, but vote Other and leave a comment if you believe it is another team.

• Arizona Diamondbacks
• Atlanta Braves
• Baltimore Orioles
• Boston Red Sox
• Oakland
• Chicago Cubs
• Chicago White Sox
• Cincinnati Reds
• Cleveland Indians
• Colorado Rockies
• Detroit Tigers
• Florida Marlins
• Houston Astros
• Kansas City Royals
• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
• Los Angeles Dodgers
• Milwaukee Brewers
• Minnesota
• New York Mets
• New York Yankees
• Oakland A's
• Philadelphia Phillies
• Pittsburgh Pirates
• San Diego Padres
• San Francisco Giants
• Seattle Mariners
• St. Louis Cardinals
• Tampa Bay Rays
• Texas Rangers
• Toronto Blue Jays
• Washington Nationals
• Other

  83 votes | Results

Last night watching the game, it was reported on ESPN by Erin Andrews that Tek said "After his duties with the Sox, he wouldn't have a problem handing Pedroia the 'C'".  Which brings the question, who should be the next Captain (Ped, Youk, Ells)?

I really like the way Pedroia works hard and gets after it.  If I was a father and had a kid playing ball, I would want him to watch DP. 

 

Tomorrow yall have Lester starting and we can't hit lefties all that well.

But more importantly Luis Mendoza is pitching for the Rangers, he is probably the worst "pitcher" in the majors this year, yet the great Rangers keep him in the rotation

Mendoza is in the top 5 of worst Ranger pitchers and let me tell you that is one BIG accomplishment, it takes persistence, never thinking about getting an out, and it takes the ability to aim a hanging pitch right down the middle.

so your welcome in advance for a blowout win....

oh and BTW would you guys do either of these trades: Clay Bucholz for Chris Davis? or Kinsler for Beckett?

Via Extra Bases:

Here's a release on the trade from the Indians:

CLEVELAND, OH—The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has completed a trade with the Boston Red Sox, sending RHP PAUL BYRD to Boston in exchange for a player to be named or cash. The player to be named must be agreed upon on or before January 15, 2009.

Byrd made 22 starts with the Indians this year going 7-10 with a 4.53 ERA (131.0IP, 146H, 70R/66ER, 24BB, 56K, 23HR).

The Indians will not make a move today to replace Byrd on their active 25-man roster. The club’s 40-man roster now stands at 39. The Indians are now undecided for the start on Thursday, August 14 vs. Baltimore.

What do you guys think?

The Sox have announced that Charlie Zink will take Wakefield's spot tomorrow night. 

The 28-year old knuckleballer is having his best minor league season.  He is 12-3 2.70 ERA 1.08 WHIP in 133.1 IP for the PawSox.

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The Rays thought it was just a bruise, but his wrist is actually fractured. Aybar had a great day for them yesterday against the M's, but I can't see him keeping up that performance for two weeks. They are calling up a prospect by the name of Justin Ruggiano, who was called up earlier this year when Carlos Pena went down for a while. If we are going to pull ourselves back up to first place in one-two weeks, now would be the time.

Our schedule for the next 14 days consists of the remaining game @ CWS, 3 vs. TEX, 3 vs. TOR, 3 @ BAL, off day, and 3 @ TOR.

The Rays' schedule for the next 14 days consists of an off day, 3 @ OAK, 3 @ TEX, 3 vs. LAA, another off day, and 3 @ CWS.

Depending on who the pitchers are, we could easily win 10-11 games out of that stretch, and the Rays will probably win only 7-8 games.

We should gain around 2.5 games on them, which would put us in position to overtake them if they have one bad series, as long as we win our final series at Yankee Stadium, during which the Rays play Toronto.

Wake has been scratched from his scheduled start this Tuesday because of tightness in his shoulder, the same injury that kept him off the World Series roster.  The Sox will place him on the 15-day DL.  I guess we now know why Wake was pulled after 81 pitches in Kansas City.

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Daisuke Matsuzaka vs. Jose Contreras Dice-K going for 13th W, Contreras is coming back from an injury.

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