By: Dan Podheiser, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
The Red Sox and Phillies are definitely not the biggest rivalry in baseball.
Since interleague play started in 1997, the two clubs get together to play a three-game series once, maybe twice a year. The stadiums are always packed, but in the end, it’s just like any other series between two competitive ball clubs.
But as the Sox get ready to welcome the Phils’ to Fenway for a three-game set this weekend, I couldn’t help but notice the recent cosmic connection between these two historic franchises.
In 2004, Boston welcomed a new manager to town by the name of Terry Francona.
Tito, a moniker that Francona assumed long before arriving in Beantown, had only managed for one other big league team before the Red Sox. That team was the Phillies, and he led them to a lackluster 285-363 record from 1997 to 2000. (Take a look at the picture above. Weird right? And Francona looks SO YOUNG!)
Before the “bloody sock” became part of Boston sports folklore, Curt Schilling made a name for himself in the City of Brotherly Love.
In 1993, the 27-year-old Schilling pitched a five-hit shutout in Game 5 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
In [...]

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
Boston went into the 2010 playoffs with little hope. Both the Bruins and the Celtics entered the first round off of pretty disappointing seasons. The Celtics were burnt out, the Bruins couldn’t seem to score or defend. All eyes started to focus on the Red Sox, as our only hope for 2010.
But then things changed.
The Red Sox had their worst start since before anyone alive could remember. Our three aces that were supposed to be the best starting rotation in the MLB failed us. Our newly molded run prevention defense couldn’t even stop the Orioles. And our offense…well, what offense?
Then, the Bruins and the Celtics, made it past the first round. The eyebrows of Boston raised, but only slightly.
Ahead, the Celtics faced the challenge of playing the best player in the NBA, and a team that was on the shortlist for possible 2010 Champions. Miami and Dwayne Wade was one thing, but beating the Cavs and LeBron James seemed unlikely. The Bruins on the other hand, got a luckier draw. The Philadelphia Flyers were doable, but then the Bruins made them look like the turkey post-Thanksgiving dinner. Taking a quick 3-0 lead, the path to the [...]

After being outright embarrassed and swept by the Orioles, the Sox completed a four game sweep of the LA Angels. Over four games they scored an amazing 36 runs to the Angels’16. The last time the team’s met, the Angles swept the Sox out of the ALDS at home. With a little revenge, all finally feels right at Fenway Park. Not to mention, it’s a good wave to be riding heading into the Yankees series.

In honor of the sweep, a few Red Sox fans serenaded anyone who was listening, to make a pretty big statement about how the Red Sox are finally back.

“This Is How We Do It” in Boston.

By: JessLander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
What do you do when you have a slumping player and need to get them motivated?
Threaten to trade them.
This might seem drastic, but in Boston, it seems to often work.
Back in January/February rumors circled about possibly trading Celtics’ Ray Allen who had been inconsistent all season. His age, along with the rest of his teammates, showed. But then right as the deadline was passing, Allen stepped it up. The deadline was on Feb 19 and for five straight games starting with February 18th, Allen had the high for points, averaging 23 points a game.
Despite denying that was the reason for an improvement in his play, the timing couldn’t seem like less of a coincidence. His numbers are up right around where they were last year and he’s second behind Paul Pierce for points. Especially now, Boston is glad we kept him, as he’s averaging 19 points a game in the playoffs.
Our newest example is good ole’ Mikey Lowell. The Red Sox have discussed trading Lowell since the end of the 2009 season. None of the trades went through, and Lowell humbly took his place on the bench. He’s been a great sport, stating that there’s nothing he [...]

By: Zach Comtois, YawkeyTalkies Correspondent
We’ve all been thinking about this for a month. Some of us have given up wondering, some are angry, and some remain hopeful. It’s time for us to get it out into the open. What’s going on with Ortiz? I’d like to take a moment of your time and explain what I feel is going on with the former big slugger.
We all know his history with the Red Sox not only as a power home run hitter with a high batting average, but easily the most clutch hitter in Red Sox history. I’m not going to get into the steroid aspect of this debate, because the only solid proof we’ve had is that someone sprung said fact onto Ortiz before a ballgame, and he dealt with that by smacking out a few homers.
So let’s look at the current situation: Ortiz is currently batting a .156 with 7 hits per 45 at bats. He has walked five times, was caught stealing in his only attempt, snapped his homerless streak the other night with a big fly, and has three RBI’s. This puts him on pace to not do too much (if any) damage this season.
Don’t get me [...]

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
It is their worst start since 1996, their second worst in 25 seasons. It is the first time the Sox have been swept by the Rays in a four game series. It is the first time the Sox have lost 6 straight at Fenway in 16 years. They let Tampa steal 10 bases in four games, and the Rangers steal nine in five innings (the most since 19-f’ing-13). With the Celtics and Bruins actually doing awesome in playoffs, it’s like the Red Sox took to their old ways.
But, I think it’s time to start looking at the glass half-full, not empty. And hey, we may have sucked tonight against the Rangers, but at least we did pull out a win, after losing six straight at Fenway.
So among a string of disappointments, who’s actually doing well?
Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek: Only four Red Sox are batting about .300. Two of those, are none other than bench newbies, Lowell (.333) and Varitek (.385), both of which have been close to being traded before this season. Granted, they’ve only played in 3 and 4 games, but in that time, Tek managed to hit 3 homers. Only Dustin Pedroia (.346) [...]

So, The Bruins and Celtics are in playoffs and the Sox have games just about every day. How do you keep up?! How do you choose what games to watch when they overlap? No worries: I have created a calendar of all the Celtics, Bruins, and Red Sox games this month so that you can keep track.
Since the Red Sox play everyday, my advice is to watch them in between playoff games, but if they overlap with the Celts or Bruins, skip them for the night–we have them until October. Then obviously, if either of the series go past game 4, you’ll want to make sure to tune into those key games. And, if you can always flip channels in between commericials, time-outs, quarters, periods, etc. The biggest overlap days are April 17 and 23, so be ready to make a decision on those ones.
Lets bring on another championship!
April Boston Sports Playoff Calendar