By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
At Thursday nights Red Sox game, I was reminded why I love this city and its fans.
The Sox were down 6-0 by the end of the first, 7-0 by the end of the second. Man, when Wakefield’s off, he might as well just start throwing underhand.
It seemed like it was going to be a long night. But then, enter wasted, stereotypical Red Sox fan. I love it.
This guy made it his sole mission of the night to start the wave. Now, from left field, this is a difficult task, because you somehow have to get the people on the Monster to participate. (see picture. he’s not happy with them). I don’t know why they think they’re too good for the wave, but it seems to be the case.
There is no possible way he had a voice the next day because he didn’t give up. “1, 2, 3, WOOOO! AGAIN. 1, 2, 3 WOOOO! THE WAVE GUYS! 1…” He even tried the reverse wave, which I don’t think has ever been done before, and was even less successful. Now, the eighty year old lady behind me plugging her ears did not enjoy this, but I think she [...]

Okay, so I’m still pissed that Youk got beat out by freaking Nick Swisher for the All-Star team. I mean, nothings worse than getting beat out by a Yankee, but this is just wrong. Youk is the most consistent player the Sox have this season. And stats don’t lie. Let’s recap:

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 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: 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 [...]