The Boston Globe

Pre-Sim Publish
The Red Sox have released their 2007 opening day lineup last night to the press. Their lineup doesn't look too much different than what one might expect:

1.Coco Crisp CF
2.Dustin Pedroia 2B
3.David Ortiz DH
4.Manny Ramirez LF
5.Mike Lowell 3B
6.Kevin Youkilis 1B
7.J.D. Drew RF
8.Jason Varitek C
9.Julio Lugo SS

The Red Sox have looked into some trades involving pitchers, but a move doesn't look official as of yet. Although the Red Sox have put a lot of cash into right fielder J.D. Drew, they look to be puttig him up for trade talks. The Red Sox have called up right handed hurler Clay Buchholz from AAA and put him in the 5^[u]th[/b] spot in their rotation to begin the season. The opening 5 thus far will be:

1.Josh Beckett
2.Curt Schilling
3.Daisuke Matsuzaka
4.Time Wakefield
5.Clay Buchholz

They have also brought up 29 year old Devern Hansack to be used exclusively in the long relief role. The Red Sox may try to make a quick move to upgrade their rotation before the start of the '07 season, but time seems to be winding down for any hopes of that.

The Red Sox started off sluggish in the first week and a half of the season posting a disappointing 3-6 record. Many of the Red Sox hitters, including bats like Kevin Youkilis, J.D. Drew, and Jason Variek, have put up low numbers for the begining of the season. J.D. Drew has picked up just 3 hits in 32 at-bats with one being a home run and has struck out 14 times.The Red Sox will most likely attempt to make a move to sign a boost for their so-far disappointing offense. The Red Sox pitching staff has been quite painful to watch as well. Right handed ace Josh Beckett has not been living up to the club's expectations of him. He has started in 2 games and has split them while gaining an ERA of 6.55 and opponents have been hitting .318 against him. With both their offense and their pitching failng at the moment, the Red Sox are forced to try something new and/or make a move in the next day or two.

Team Leaders Hitting
AVG- Dustin Pedroia (.436)
HR- Manny Ramirez, Julio Lugo (2)
SB- Coco Crisp, Jason Varitek (1)
R- Dustin Pedroia ( 8 )
RBI- Manny Ramirez (9)
OBA- Dustin Pedroia (.452)

Team Leaders Pitching
ERA- Daisuke Matsuzaka (4.15) Eric Gagne (0.00)
IP-Daisuke Matsuzaka (13.0)
K- Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka (10)
W-Josh Beckett, Curt Schilling, Daisuke Matsuzaka (1)
L- All starters tied with 1
SV- Jonathan Papelbon (1)

The Red Sox have started picking up the slack on this 2007 season going 11-5 since the last sim. They have been performing much better at the plate thus far, especially at the top of the order. Dustin Pedroia is having a great season batting .298 and scoring 17 runs. The Sox have suffered a huge loss on offense with the loss of DH David Ortiz. On May first he suffered a wrist stress fracture and will be out for at least three weeks. On a better note, the Red Sox had replaced poor performing J.D. Drew with Jacony Ellsbury and it sure did pay off. In 18 games he is batting .388 with 12 stolen bags and 16 runs. The pitching of the Red Sox has also gotten better with guys likeDaisuke and Beckett picking up some wins and lowering their extremely high ERA's. Papelbon also picked up 5 more saves while rookie Clay Buchholz stayed in a hole at a record of 0-3.

Injuries
DH David Ortiz *MLB* Wrist Stress Fracture (27 days)
1B Kevin Youkilis *MLB* Stretched Ankle Ligament (3 days)
C Kevin Cash *AAA* Bruised Knee (1 day)

SP Doug Davis *MLB* Strained Knee (4 days)
RP Eric Gagne *MLB* Broken Knuckle (3 days)
RP Javier Lopez *MLB* Sprained Back (9 days)

Team Leaders Hitting
AVG-Manny Ramirez (.394)
HR-Manny Ramirez (4)
SB-Jacoby Ellsbury (12)
R-Dustin Pedroia (17)
RBI-Manny Ramirez (22)
OBA-Manny Ramirez (.464)

Team Leaders Pitching
ERA-Daisuke Matsuzaka (3.46)
IP-Daisuke Matsuzaka (39)
K-Daisuke Matsuzaka (43)
W-Daisuke Matsuzaka (4)
L-Daisuke Matsuzaka, Josh Beckett (1)
S-Jonathan Papelbon (6)

Nice write up

thanks

yea this is a really nice idea. keep it up

I will thanks

I agree, I love your blog. Please keep it up, I enjoy reading EVERY edition.

thank you for all your support. the last one was kind of rushed but after next sim I will try to make a more elaborate one

***I did not know there was a sim tonight so I am gonna wait until next sim to continue the Boston Globe, but here are the team leaders and stuff:

Injuries
C Jason Varitek *MLB* Ankle Stress Fracture (12 days)
2B Dustin Pedroia *MLB* Forearm Stress Fracture (5 days)
DH David Ortiz *MLB* Wrist Stress Fracture (13 days)
SP Curt Schilling *MLB* Foot Stress Fracture (9 days)

Team Leaders Pitching
ERA-Daisuke Matsuzaka (2.87)
IP-Daisuke Matsuzaka (53.1)
K-Daisuke Matsuzaka (60)
W-Daisuke Matsuzaka (5)
L-Daisuke Matsuzaka (1)
S-Jonathan Papelbon (10)

Team Leaders Hitting
AVG-Manny Ramirez (.366)
HR-Manny Ramirez (6)
SB-Jacoby Ellsbury (12)
R-Dustin Pedroia (24)
RBI-Manny Ramirez (29)
OBA-Manny Ramirez (.470)

Dice-K and Manny look like their earning their pay checks

The Red Sox made a move to acquire hot hitting Jason Werth from the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. They moved minor league prospects Justin Masterson SP, Reid Engel CF, and Aaron Bates 1B in return for the RF. Werth has a .259 average with 2 home runs and 10 RBI's since coming to the Red Sox. Boston has played barely .500 ball and has dropped to third in the AL East. Jacoby Ellsbury is something for the watercooler chat, as he has certainly been earning his spot as the Red Sox leadoff man, batting .353 and swiping 27 bags. The Red Sox are awfully excited for the return of DH David Ortiz, C Jason Varitek, and young phenom 2B Dustin Pedroia. There have also been rumors of trades with Tampa Bay involving rookie pitcher Clay Buchholz and 23 year old star Scott Kazmir. The Red Sox rotation has been nothing more than ordinary, but their top-dog Josh Beckett has begun to settle down. He has posted a 3.93 ERA and has a record of 4 wins to 3 losses. The Red Sox back end of the bull pen has been great with Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima both posted ERA's under 2.00 with Papelbon saving 13 games.

Injuries
RP Javier Lopez *AAA* Twisted Ankle (6 days)
RP Jay Marshall *AA* Hairline Wrist Break (9 days)
SP Michael Rozier *R* Strained Elbow Ligament (1 day)
SS Julio Lugo *MLB* Stretched Knee Ligament (20 days)

Team Leaders Pitching
ERA-Josh Beckett (3.93)
IP-Daisuke Matsuzaka (65)
K-Daisuke Matsuzaka (77)
W-Daisuke Matsuzaka (5)
L-Daisuke Matsuzaka, Doug Davis (2)
S-Jonathan Papelbon (13)

Team Leaders Hitting
AVG-Jacoby Ellsbury (.353)
HR-Manny Ramirez (11)
SB-Jacoby Ellsbury (27)
R-Jacoby Ellsbury (31)
RBI-Manny Ramirez (42)
OBA-Manny Ramirez (.455)

The Boston Globe will continue after next sim. ***only about a 5 game sim this time***

Injuries
SP Josh Beckett *MLB* Pinched Ulnar Nerve (4 days)
SP Curt Schilling *MLB* Dislocated Toe (5 days)
RP Jay Marshall *AA* Hairline Wrist Break (3 days)
RP Bryson Cox *R* Severe Shoulder Bursitis (7 days)
SS Julio Lugo *MLB* Stretched Knee Ligament (14 days)

Team Leaders Hitting
AVG-Jacoby Ellsbury (.354)
HR-Manny Ramirez (12)
SB-Jacoby Ellsbury (34)
R-Jacoby Ellsbury (35)
RBI-Manny Ramirez (46)
OBA-Manny Ramirez (.442)

Team Leaders Pitching
ERA-Josh Beckett (4.03)
IP-Daisuke Matsuzaka (71)
K-Daisuke Matsuzaka (86)
W-Daisuke Matsuzaka (5)
L-Doug Davis (2)
S-Jonathan Papelbon (14)

once again excellent job

once again thank you

Great job getting Kaz.

Should be a very tight division race and I am looking forward to it!

thanks and if anyone wants to see something that I haven't done in here, feel free to write Letters (PM) to the Editor (me)

The Yankees have pretty much kept the Red Sox at bay here so far in this 2007 season. The Red Sox hold 2^nd place in the AL East, trailing the Evil Empire by 6 games, and stand 2^nd in the AL Wild Card Race by 1 game behind the Cleveland Tribe. The Red Sox offense has been what has kept them from faltering too much in the standings. They have scored 6+ runs 7 times since the Amateur Draft, but have let up 5+ runs 7 times as well. The addition of Scott Kazmir has certainly payed off so far. On June 12 against the Astros Kazmir went 8 innings 5 hits 0 runs 1 walk and 10 K's on 134 pitches, which allowed Papelbon to come in and slam the door for the 1-0 Red Sox win. He also picked up a win against the Rockies 5 days later, where he gave up just 1 earned run. Jacoby Ellsbury has stayed a consistent lead off man with his .354 average, .410 OBA, and his 45 swipes.The big 2 Ortiz and Manny have also done their job (even with Ortiz being injured for 4 weeks). Together the sluggers have hit 27 home runs, scored 70 times, and drove in 97 runs. Even with this potent overall offense, Bean Town has yet to see Mike Lowell turn it on like they know he can. He has just a .248 average while scoring 31 runs and driving in 37. As it stands the Red Sox are looking to grab the Wild Card, but it is not to late to make a run at the Yankees for the AL East.

Injuries
C Jason Varitek *MLB* Strained Lower Back (1 day)
RP Manny Delcarmen *MLB* Ruptured Knee Ligament (11 days)
RP Kyle Snyder *MLB* Strained Elbow Ligament (2 days)
SP Tim Wakefield *AAA* Sore Rotator Cuff (1 day)
SP Randy Beam *AA* Sprained Neck (14 days)

Team Leaders Pitching
ERA-Scott Kazmir (2.31)
IP-Dasuke Matsuzaka (86)
K-Daisuke Matsuzaka ( 98 )
W-Daisuke Matsuzaka (7)
L-Daisuke Matsuzaka, Doug Davis (3)
S-Jonathan Papelbon ( 18 )

Team Leaders Hitting
AVG-Jacoby Ellsbury (.354)
HR-Manny Ramirez ( 18 )
SB-Jacoby Ellsbury (45)
R-Jacoby Ellsbury (52)
RBI-Many Ramirez (61)
OBA-David Ortiz (.460)

At around 8:00 PM Saturday night, The Boston Globe got word that the Red Sox and Phillies began trade talks involving 3 time All Star SS Jimmy Rollins. Soon after that word was confirmed that they had reached an agreement on the star. While the Red Sox obtained SS Jimmy Rollins, they sent over infielders Jeffrey Natale, Kevin Youkilis, and Jed Lowrie along with SP prospects Michael Bowden and Michael Rozier. The addition of Jimmy Rolling should bring great things to the Red Sox clubhouse with his big numbers thus far this season. Through 2007 Rollins hold a .290 average with 13 home runs, 60 runs scored, and 33 RBI's. Rollins is due to bat 5^th in the Red Sox order, making the Red Sox very comfortable with the top 5 in their order (Ellsbury, Pedroia, Ortiz, Ramirez, and Rollins) More will come after SIM 7.

The Red Sox have been looking strong through SIM 7, holding second place behind the Yankees by 5 games. The Red Sox did have a tough time on their 4 game road trip to Toronto, being outscored by the Jays 30 to 15 and dropping 3 of the 4 games. They then went on to sweep the Devil Rays at home, after faltering in 2 games in Philadelphia. Although the Red Sox have not yet caught the mighty Yankees, the are now just .5 game out of the Wild Card Race behind Cleveland and hoping to gain control of that once Jimmy Rollins is placed into their lineup. Werth has began to excel like he had in Philly for the start of the season. He is batting .543 in his last 8 games while averaging almost 2 plays a game in RF. Another star OF for the Red Sox, Jacoby Ellsbury has been on a tear this season. He holds a .348 average which is second to only David Ortiz, and leads the league in steals with 47, which is 12 more than the speedy Met Jose Reyes. Ellsbury is just 23 years old and is already among the top leadoff hitters in the game. On a side note, David Ortiz suffered a dislocated shoulder on June 21 which should keep him out for a week. The Red Sox starting pitching hasn't been far behind their potent offense, with Kazmir leading the charge. Kazmir has a 6-5 record with just a .2.98 ERA, with his partner Josh Beckett picking up 3 wins and averaging 3.43 runs per game. Kazmir's trade partner Chad Orvella had been used in the long relief role and did a fairly nice job. Orvella allowed just 3 runs on 9 hits in 9.2 inning of work, but suffered a finger stress fracture which should keep him out of the job for at least 2 weeks.

Injuries
DH David Ortiz *MLB* Dislocated Shoulder (1 week)
C Doug Mirabelli *MLB* Dislocated Shoulder (12 days)
C George Kottaras *A* Bruised Rib (3 days)
RP Chad Orvella *MLB* Finger Stress Fracture (11 days)

Team Leaders Pitching
ERA-Scott Kazmir ( 2.98 )
IP-Daisuke Matsuzaka (100)
K-Daisuke Matsuzaka (113)
W-Josh Beckett ( 8 )
L-Doug Davis (4)
S-Jonathan Papelbon (22)

Team Leaders Hitting
AVG-David Ortiz (.350)
HR-Manny Ramirez (18)
SB-Jacoby Ellsbury (47)
R-Jacoby Ellsbury (57)
RBI-Manny Ramirez (65)
OBA-Manny Ramirez (.440)

Blue=League Leader
White=AL Leader

Papelbon will never take over as league leader in saves from Takashi Saito:P

hehe

yeah seeing that angered me lol

The Red Sox AL East woes continue as they did hold 2^nd in the AL East, but as the team says, 10 games out of first and 3 games out of the Wild Card is nothing to brag about. As has been the story most of the way, the Red Sox offense flourished while the pitching was their downfall. All but their 4 starter, former Diamondback Doug Davis, has 5 or more losses, and all but their ace Kazmir and 3 starter Beckett, has an ERA over 5. On a better note the Red Sox bullpen has been very good with Papelbon as their anchor in late close ballgames. Papelbon has a 1.50 ERA as the Boston closer and has picked up 24 saves and 0 blown saves. The Red Sox are excited for the return of LHP 23 year old Jon Lester. Lester is currently playing in AA for the Red Sox organization and is doing a good job of proving his worth to the Red Sox. In AA, Lester has started 3 games, winning them all, allowing only 3 runs in 23.2 innings, which is ggod for a 1.14 ERA, and struck out 24 batters. Lester has also been nearly unhittable with batters hitting just .103 against him. The Red Sox have stated that they are thinking about bringing him up to the bigs for the next sim, replaceming the injured Doug Davis. Newly acquired SS Jimmy Rollins is proving to be a wise decision so far. Rollins is batting .318 with 5 HR's and 9 RBI's in 10 games for the Red Sox. Top-of-the-order young guns Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia have been struggling as of late as the Red Sox CF and 2B. Jacoby is batting only .167 with no HR's in his last 7 games, while Dustin has gone 9 for 39 in his last 10 games with 1 RBI, bringing his average down to .291 on the season. David Ortiz has recovered from his injury and will be returning to the batters box promptly to help out Rollins and Ramirez in the middle of the Red Sox order.


Injuries
SP Doug Davis *MLB* Ankle Stress Fracture (8 days)
SP Felix Doubront *R* Mild Elbow Inflammation (2 days)

Team Leaders Hitting
AVG-Jacoby Ellsbury (.331)
HR-Manny Ramirez (20)
SB-Jacoby Ellsbury (54)
R-Jimmy Rollins (66)
RBI-Manny Ramirez ( 68 )
OBA-Manny Ramirez (.432)

Team Leaders Pitching
ERA-Scott Kazmir (2.85)
IP-Daisuke Matsuzaka (111)
K-Daisuke Matsuzaka ( 128 )
W-Josh Beckett ( 8 )
L-Doug Davis (4)
S-Jonathan Papelbon (24)

Boston All Stars
LF Manny Ramirez (807,064 votes)
CP Jonathan Papelbon

Blue=League Leader
White=AL Leader

Code:

[color=blue]Blue=League Leader[/color]
[color=white]White=AL Leader[/color]