Beckett bomb keeps Rays playoff hopes alive

Last night, the Red Sox had a chance to put Tampa Bay’s 2009 playoffs plans in serious jeopardy, as a Boston win would have left the Rays seven games out of the Wild Card lead with exactly 30 games left to play. With ace Josh Beckett on the hill, momentum from the previous night’s satisfying 8-4 win [...]

Sox take step back as Rangers run all over them

The 2009 Red Sox have mastered the art of letting an opponent take an extra base. Or three. Or eight. For the second time this season, a Boston battery allowed eight stolen bases in a game, and for the eighth time in the last dozen games, the Sox suffered a demoralizing loss. Both stats represent [...]

Sox ‘pen: Biggest strength suddenly a glaring weakness

A few short weeks ago, the Red Sox were rockin’ the best bullpen in the major leagues. The crew had the lowest ERA of any bully in MLB, featured a slew of talented young arms, and contained at least 3 or 4 pitchers who could be closers on many other staffs. Now, after a string of [...]