Red Sox 2011 Fan Photos Contest

This year, many of us are going to go to MLB games or have already gone. Here is what to do to enter:

1. Take a picture at the game. This can be of the field, of a player, etc.

2. Email the picture to me (redsox360blog@gmail.com), or upload it to our Facebook or Twitter page.

Rules:

1. Must be taken by you, not found on Google or you will be disqualified.

2. You can only upload two pictures so make sure they are good.

All of your pictures will be on our Fan Photos Page. If its not their, email me and notify me so I make sure it is entered in the contest.

Prizes!!!

The winner will win either a pair of Red Sox sunglasses, a Red Sox Mr. Potato Head, a Red Sox arrow sign, or a Red Sox logo baseball.

Pictures of the Cleveland Indians vs Boston Red Sox Game I Went To, Score 14-2

Its too bad I forgot my good camera and camcorder. :(

Game 50/162, Red Sox 14, Tigers 1, Red Sox Win Through 7 1/2 Innings (Rain)

Hey guy, I haven't been here for a while as the Sox are destroying because as some of you might know, I was in Cleveland for the past few days at the Wednesday 14-2 win over the Indians at Progressive Field. I haven't made the post and uploaded the pictures yet because of technical difficulties but I'm hoping those will be up soon. By the way, Cleveland is way further from me that I thought.

Now, getting back to topic, the Red Sox have scored 14 runs in the last two games. This is the ninth time the Red Sox have scored 14+ runs in two consecutive games. The last time was in 1998 vs the Expos and White Sox.

Aceves pitched very well, going six strong innings and giving up 1 ER. Crawford went 4 for 5 and has gone 8 for 9 in the last two days. Ellsbury did well again with a three run homer to right.

Josh Reddick (who I saw playing in Rochester) went 3 for 5 with 3 RBI after replacing Darnell McDonald. Drew Sutton also did well and hit 2 doubles and had 2 RBI.

Crawford had two triples while in Cleveland, he only needed one to complete the cycle a day earlier. 

Here are the AL East current standings!

                W   L   PCT   GB
Yankees     27  21 .563    ---
Red Sox     28  22 .560    ---

I hope I can get those photos up by tonight!

The Year of the Pitcher - Buchholz and Masterson

What a night for New England fans clicking from the Bruins Lightening Stanley Cup playoff game number four to the Red Sox game where Clay Buchholz faced the Tribe's Justin Masterson; Masterson and Bucholz, both sporting their playoff hockey beards pitched a great game. With more aggressive drug testing MLB and the rise of great young pitchers throughout the MLB it has become the year of the pitcher. Last night was a mix of great pitching and some great hitting.A pitcher's duel or maybe better described as a duel draw. Masterson pitched 7 2/3 innings, Buchholz 7 1/3 innings, Masterson and Buchholz each allowed 2 earned runs, both men allowed 4 hits and 2 walks, Masterson struck out 3 and Buchholz punched out 4. A shame that Masterson neither ace got the decision.

This game epitomizes how the absence of "steroids" has changed baseball; pitching, especially young pitching now dominates the game. A team like the Tampa Bay Rays with good young pitching and timely hitting has kept the struggling Yankees and slow starting Bosox from dominating the American League East. Last night the starting pitchers were equal almost to a pitch, both teams matched home runs, and in the end the Indian's Joe Smith was just that much better than the Red Sox's closer Daniel Bard who has struggled this season to find his pitching grove. Pitching will separate the great teams from the very good teams. Last night the Red Sox pitching and Bard were not good enough. 

When the Sox signed Carl Crawford I was temporarily reconciled to the loss of Victor Martinez. When Crawford plays and hits well as he did last night I begin to forget what an important part of the Sox's success came from V-Mart's play behind the plate and as a big bat. Perhaps Crawford will help us forget.

Last night was fun. What a night for New England fans clicking from the Bruins Lightening Stanley Cup playoff game number four to the Red Sox game where Clay Buchholz faced the Tribe's Justin Masterson; Masterson and Bucholz, both sporting their playoff hockey beards pitched a great game. With more aggressive drug testing MLB and the rise of great young pitchers throughout the MLB it has become the year of the pitcher. Last night was a mix of great pitching and some great hitting.

Red Sox Catching the Catcher Blues: Here Are Some Possible Catching Acquisitions This Season

The Red Sox don't have a very good offensive or defensive catching situation. Lets face it, Boston catchers have never been good at throwing out base runners. They have usually hit for an okay average or for a little power. But, this season, the Sox's catchers haven't been doing anything productive. Jason Varitek is batting .190 and Salty is batting .236 which is an improvement. The two have combined for 52 stolen bases allowed and only 13 caught stealing. Varitek has only caught 13% of runners while Salty has caught 24%. If they continue to play poorly, the Red Sox will have to look for a replacement. Here are some options:

• The first option is Jonathan Lucroy, he has a .320 average in 28 games this season and he is only 25. He has great potential but he has only caught 10% of basestealers (better than Tek)
• Nick Hundley has a .263 batting average which is average for a catcher but he has thrown out a whopping 34% of basestealers. He also is only 27.
• The next solution is Lou Marson who has a good .278 average and has thrown out 33% of basestealers this season. He has caught a high, 40% of basestealers in his career. He is also only 25. ( I hope you've noticed the young theme)
• Wilson Ramos, who will always be a Red Wing to me, is another great option. He has a .289 average with 3 homers and has thrown out 50% of basestealers this season. He is only 23.
• Although he is a little older, Jose Molina would be a good season rental for the Sox. He is 36 but he has a .292 average and has caught 40% or basestealers in his 12 season career.
• Alex Avila has been good, hitting .283 with 6 homers and 24 RBIs. He is 24 and has caught 38% of basestealers.

Besides these options, the Red Sox have other solutions like Luis Exposito and other outside the organization options like Ryan Hanigan, Brett Hayes, JR Towles, Landon Powell, Chris Gimenez, and JP Arencibia.

Please feel free to comment!