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: Ian Tasso, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
We’ve waded through JD Drew, Jose Iglesias and Marco Scutaro. But what about Papi? What about Lowell? Ellsbury? Wakefield and Buchholz?
Patience, young ones.
Without further ado, I present to you the real top questions facing the Sox this season. Starting with mumbers 6-10. The questions that will make or break Boston’s Boys of Summer. Feel free to comment, question or be angry below.

10. How will the move to left field effect Jacoby Ellsbury? Should he be offended? (Greg; Townsend, Mass.)
It really shouldn’t offend or affect him at all. What it will do, however, is make left field at Fenway a very difficult place to get hits.
Jason Bay was a very solid fielder – not much range, but if he got to the ball, he was going to catch it. Jacoby on the other hand, has all the range in the world, and should look like Carl Crawford flying around out there. He’s going to turn a lot of bloop-singles into outs, and the fact that left fielders already play in close in Fenway because of the Monster makes it that much more exciting of a prospect.
Cameron’s a proven glove-man in center field. And the move to [...]

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 Gabe Souza, YawkeyTalkies Correspondent, from Ft. Meyers, FL
Adrian Beltre scooped up the ball in the hot corner and rifled it over to former Gold Glove winner Kevin Youkilis at first base.
It was a routine play for any baseball players and one that those two have practiced together hundreds of times already this spring. Yet, Youkilis made an error. The first baseman muffed the catch and watched as the ball squirted into foul territory, allowing a Rays runner to score and another to reach base.
What should have been an easy out in the first inning turned into a tone-setter.
The Sox went on to make two errors in the ballgame and bobble a few others, ultimately losing to the Tampa Bay Rays 8-6 this afternoon.
Things looked okay immediately after the Youkilis error. Lester pitched his way out of a jam and The “Greek God of Walks” helped his team carve an early lead by scoring on an RBI-single by Beltre. The third baseman later scored himself on a groundout by utility infielder Bill Hall and the Sox had a 2-1 lead going into the third inning.
It got even better for the Sox when in the bottom of the third, left fielder [...]

By: Ian Tasso, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
Spring is a time of new beginnings: the temperatures are on the rise, the sun is back out and the flowers are in bloom.
But most importantly, the cleats are back on.
Yes, for many, the most important thing about the calendar flipping to March is the dawning of baseball, the smearing of pine tar and the popping sound of twine colliding with maple.
Each new baseball season brings in tow plenty of new storylines; some more impressive than others. Whether it be a highly-touted free-agent making his debut in fresh colors, a young gun cracking the lineup or even a returning veteran trying to shed some cobwebs, Spring Training always arrives in March with its fair share of headlines.
And for the 2010 Boston Red Sox, this season is no exception. Josh Beckett’s contract situation and the questionable Boston offense headline a Spring Training that brings plenty of concerns to the table.
But none are more impeding than the suspense surrounding David Ortiz and his mysterious decline of 2009. Will the slugger bounce back to 2004 form? Will he continue to slide?
Only time will tell. But until then, let’s take a look at some of the most anticipated Spring [...]

By: Ben Barker, YawkeyTalkies Correspondent
While the pitching seems to be set in place for a strong 2010, the arms have really not been the concern. The biggest question mark for the Sox all off-season has been their offense.
There is no doubt that the number of home-runs will suffer with the loss of Jason Bay, but many people give that more weight than it deserves. The real question is whether or not the Red Sox newcomers will be able to fill that hole enough to put the Red Sox on the scoreboard.
Realistically, if everyone in the batting order can have an offensive year that matches their career average, the Red Sox will be fine. Will this happen? We can only wait and see.

1B – Kevin Youkilis: Youuuuuuuk! The ultimate dirt dog. Kevin Youkilis has been one of the most consistent players in all of baseball over the last three seasons, and he is only getting better. His flawless glove at first base will add to a very solid defensive infield, and with Bay leaving town, Youk should supply most of the power for Boston in 2010.
Prediction: (AVG) – .320 (HR) – 28 (RBI) – 115
2B – Dustin Pedroia: A Rookie of the Year, MVP, Gold [...]

By Jordan Liebhaber, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
You know spring is in the air when Red Sox talk hits the air waves.  Too bad the weather outside won’t cooperate.  Fenway Park is still frost bitten and covered by tarps, but the infamous truck left for Fort Myers last week and Sox fans are ready for some baseball.
So how about those Sox?  The last two seasons have been somewhat of a disappointment compared to what we were used to seeing.  After two World Series championships in three years, we are hardly satisfied with just a mere playoff entry.  No, we want it all.  So what chance does this edition of the Boston Red Sox have against the rest of the American League and the (I really hate saying this) defending champion New York Yankees?
As the old adage says, pitching and defense wins championships.  The 2010 Red Sox will feature one of the best rotations in baseball, led by “J cubed” (Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and John Lackey).  Dice-K will come into the season with a rested and healthy right arm, and groin (that injury he lied about all season).  Budding star Clay Buchholz will pitch in the number 5 slot.  As always, the [...]