By: Dan Podheiser, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
It was the one that got away.
In a Red Sox season filled with ups and downs, a depleted roster that takes up an entire hospital wing and gutsy performances from the most unlikely suspects, the entire thing could come down to one horrible inning.
Carrying a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning in Toronto on Thursday, Boston was set to sweep the Blue Jays and head into its tough series in Texas just three games behind the Rays in the wild card and four and a half back of the Yankees in the division.
Instead, Jonathan Papelbon decided to employ his Jekyll and Hyde act again — something Red Sox fans have seen far too often in 2010 — and the Sox ended up losing on a walk-off sacrifice fly, 6-5.
The Red Sox gave up a full game in the race, something they can’t afford to do when they’re chasing the two best teams in baseball.
As for the Rays, who lead Boston by a comfortable four games in the wild card race — they got to look forward to a nice three-game set at home over the weekend against the last-place Orioles. And while [...]

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
Yesterday, was a great day for Boston Sports, as all of their teams got W’s, some more important than others. Here’s a recap:
BC Eagles. Won NCAA Hockey Championship 5-0: For the third year in a row, the city of Boston owns this trophy. Last year, BU came back from two goals behind to win it, and BC had it the year before. So even more awesome than for Boston, is that BC has won this twice in three years, meaning their Seniors and even Juniors, now have two shiny rings.
The Eagles went 12-0-1 in their last thirteen games, but earlier in the season, not many would have necessarily picked them for winning the big dance, as they still managed to tally 10 losses, 2 coming from foe BU and another from Northeastern.
But alas they did, and they did so big-time. Winning 5-0 in a Championship game is just insane. Wisconsin didn’t stand a chance, and the Eagles proved they not only deserved this, but that they in fact own Commonwealth Avenue. Sorry, Terriers, this a’int your street anymore.
Boston Bruins. Clinch a playoff spot: It’s been a long, painful season, but despite everyones assumptions, the Bruins [...]

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
Three games is nothing in baseball. Especially the first three. But, after a close opening series against the Yankees in which the Red Sox gave up 1-2, there are some things we can take away.
Five things we can take away from the first series:
1. Even if our offense doesn’t come out all the time, it is there. In the third game, we scored one lone run. This was a showing of the reality we knew was coming. Sometimes, we’re just not going to score. We’ve built a defensive team and we know it. But, in game one we scored nine runs, and in the second, four. Four runs shows what we might expect on average, and nine shows that we definitely do have it in us when everything falls into place. We had it in us enough to out-power the Yankees on Sunday, so I’d guess there are a majority of other MLB teams that we can out-hit on a regular basis. Kansas City this weekend will give us more insight, of course. With that, and the fact that our pitching rotation looks to about only have to compete with the Yankees, I’d say we’re looking [...]

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
I feel like anyone who was at the game last night can relate when I say waking up this morning was struggles, and the trend has continued throughout the day. But, totally worth it. Here’s my take on Opening Day, probably a bit different from what you’ll read on NESN.
First, my four reasons why this was the Best Opening Day EVER.
1. Against the Yankees. This is obvious. What better way to start the season than against our biggest rival?
2. It was about 80 degrees. It’s the first week in April and I wore shorts and a jersey to a Red Sox game. AM I IN ACTUALLY IN BOSTON? Last year, Opening Day was postponed due to rain, and every other year I can remember before that was just frigid. I actually have a sunburn. 10 points to the Weather Gods.
3. Neil Diamond. No, it wasn’t a great performance, or even a good one. The guy practically talked through the song. But, come on, he’s ancient, and the genius responsible for Fenway’s anthem. Signing along with the man himself was just awesome, er, so good, so good, so good.
3 1/2. Steven Tyler? Also pretty cool, yet terrible [...]

By: Jordan Liebhaber, with contributions from Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writers
Spring Training is under way, so you know what that means…  It’s time to get your Fantasy Baseball Leagues set up!  The 2010 Boston Red Sox have a number of players who you should consider for your team, and maybe some who you shouldn’t.
Note: Last year I (Jess) stacked my team with many Red Sox players (Pedroia, Dice-K, Papi, Becket,  and Ellsbury to name a few. My team placed second–so building your team around your fan base is okay.
Bats:
Kevin Youkilis is proving to be a reliable power hitter in the post-steroid era, and with the Sox going for defense this year, one of the best bats, if not the best, on the Sox roster. Last season he hit for a .305 average, drove in 94 runs, and hit 27 home runs. Youk is a valuable commodity since he can play first or third base for your team, so look for him to be scooped up by the 3rd round. Rank: 38
Dustin Pedroia disappointed fantasy owners last year, not living up to his 2008 MVP season.  He ended the season with a  .296 average, 72 RBI’s, 115 runs, and 20 [...]

By: Jordan Liebhaber, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer

Nine days into Spring Training, the Red Sox have much to look forward to as they get closer to opening day.  Theo Epstein appears to have assembled a roster filled with veteran leadership, young talent, and very few question marks.
The Sox Big Three, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, and John Lackey, are all pitching in mid-season form.  Beckett and Lackey have combined for ten innings with only one earned run allowed.  Lester struggled in his first appearance, but he settled down on Wednesday against the Rays allowing two hits in 2 2/3 innings with four strikeouts in his first five innings pitched.
On the rookie front, former first round draft pick Casey Kelly is showing what all the hype is about in the early going.  He mowed down six Orioles in two hit-less innings.
Twenty-three year old outfielder Josh Reddick is destined for AAA Pawtucket, but he is making quite the impression on the big league club.  In 17 at bats, he has eight hits including four doubles, one triple, and four RBI’s.  Two other young outfielders; Ryan Kalish and Che-Hsuan Lin have also turned some heads in the early going.
Phenom shortstop Jose Iglesias has exceeded all expectations [...]

By Ben Barker, YawkeyTalkies Correspondent
When the Boston Red Sox take the field in 2010, New England will see a local nine unlike any other this decade. The days of back-to-back homeruns from Manny and Ortiz are gone. Even the replacement for Manny is gone. In a winter that was supposed to be centered on bringing back Jason Bay, Theo Epstein quietly put together one of the more balanced teams in the league – with defense as the foundation.
Opting to go with pitching and defense over high-powered offense has caused the term “run prevention” to be tossed around quite a bit.
And while the Sox were taking the road less traveled, the all too predictable Yankees once again flexed their financial muscle. Instead of bringing back Matsui or Damon, the Evil Empire added Curtis Granderson to a lineup that already boasts sluggers like Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez. Those three bats alone should produce close to 110 homeruns for the Yankees this season.
Beating out the Yankees for the AL East title could be a daunting task for Tito and the boys in 2010. But should we expect to see the Red Sox in the playoffs at all? The answer is yes, and this [...]