I think you're right. I remember reading something about awards for "greening" up Fenway. I'm not sure what they've done, and don't frankly care. But I did notice that they now go around collecting plastic recyclables a couple times during the game. Hadn't seen that before. Over at the Baseball Tavern after the game, one of the beer wenches said that they're volunteers that do the collecting, which is just plain awesome. That someone would volunteer to collect trash at a ballgame for a "green" cause is too perfect.
In a week where Michael Bowden pitches two perfect innings against the Yankee lineup; in a Spring when Clay Buchholz was lights-out; in a season where John Smoltz is eating up every PGA golf course in Massachusetts. . . . why do I have to watch Brad Penny do THAT?! Again?! Between Penny, and Lugo, and Lopez dropping the toss, I can't remember ever seeing a game KICKED away like that. Can't believe I'm saying this, but if Nick Green were playing, that was win number 12. (Yes, I understand that Julio had a decent night at the plate. I'm obviously talking about his error).
Bump. In other news, Clay Buchholz nearly threw a perfect game for Pawtucket a few days ago and John Smotlz is going to be ready soon. The struggles the big three have been having in the rotation are a cause for concern but their performances are all likely to improve. Until that time comes, they have unbelievable depth at the end of the rotation.
54-34 first half, good for a 3 game AS game lead and their best first-half winning percentage this decade. Beckett and Lester have both been dominating as of late, and I was surprised by how similar their lines are up to this point (yesterday not included). Lester: 3.87 era, 114 IP, 112 Hits, 35 walks, 131 k's, 1.289 WHIP, 8.8 h/9 ,2.8 bb/9, 10.3k/9 Beckett: 3.62 era, 112 IP, 101 hits, 35 walks, 103 k's, 1.214 WHIP, 8.1 h/9, 2.8 bb/9, 8.3 k/9. Both of them had rough months to start the season, Lester seems like he might have gotten some bad luck at a few points. I'd take em and their combined $11 ,588,166 salary over the combined 3 trillion that comes with Sabathia and Burnett any day:wink:.
Clay Buchholz is being called up to pitch after the All Star game. I really hope we don't end up trading him or Ellsbury. I really don't think we need to make a blockbuster move this year. Let's keep the pieces we have in place, keep our young guys and make a move for a mid reliever
The bullpen is fine, what they need is a bat. I don't know how much Lowell is going to contribute the rest of the way.
Also, a thought I had was I wonder how much of Buchholz being called up has to do with the fact that they are playing in Toronto? Maybe they're trying to showcase him a bit if they are really pursuing a Halladay trade? I hope not but I suppose it's possible.
I like Buchholz, Devil.....he'd look good in the grey/blue/white. You throw in Ellsbury with Buchholz...and the Doctor is yours.
If Epstein does that he should be fired on the spot. Halladay is not a necessity for this team. They can win a championship this year without him and SP is not a weakness at all. Giving up the future for him would make very little sense.
Ellsbury is pretty established as a Sox starter and they won't peruse trading him just because they don't have any real replacement for him. That said, Epstein would drive Buck and Ellsbury to Toronto himself if that's all it would take to get Doc. Ellsbury is a speedy outfielder with improving hitting, and Buchholz is a potential front-line starter who has shown no sustained ability to get guys out in the major leagues. He crapped the bed last year. He could be nothing. He almost certainly will never be anywhere as good as Halladay. I will trade a good leadoff hitter with replaceable skills plus a lottery ticket for a proven commodity like Halladay any day of the week. Sure, this team could use more offense, but the positive net impact that Halladay would have on their run differential (and wins in turn) is probably more helpful than any of the offensive help availible out there. I've been saying the offense needs help myself too, and the lineup does have depth concerns if an injury comes up. That said, they've scored the third most runs in baseball so far. A post-season rotation of Beckett, Lester, Doc, is insane. If the price is low enough, Epstein should go for the kill. With that kind of rotation this team could be historically good.
