Red Sox Are 1-0 In The Post-Mike Cameron Era

Well I guess we all know what was holding the Boston Red Sox back this last week (losing six of seven): Mike Cameron.

Haha just kidding but it was still nice to see Red Sox GM Theo Epstein and Co. finally swallow their pride and designate Cameron for assignment. I'm not even trying to be funny when I say I can't remember one highlight from his 1.5 seasons in Boston.

Speaking of salvaging pride, the Red Sox (46-34) finally decided to show up against the Philadelphia Phillies (51-31) yesterday afternoon and it resulted in a 5-2 Red Sox win at Citizens Bank Park, averting a sweep in the "World Series preview."

Jon Lester (10-4) pitched like an ace, going seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks with five strikeouts.

Fortune was also on Boston's side as Phillies starter Cole Hamels left after four innings due to an injury to his right hand (Adrian Gonzalez's smoked a line drove off it). Hamels only gave up two hits and struck out two in what was shaping up to be a sweet pitcher's duel.

Instead, Phillies relievers David Herndon (0-2) allowed three earned runs on five hits in two innings and teammate Drew Carpenter allowed two earned runs on four hits in two innings.

Boston got its first two runs in the fifth as Drew Sutton (2 hits, run, RBI) and Jacoby Ellsbury (3 hits, RBI) each had RBI singles.

Jason Varitek hit a solo homer (his fourth of the season) in the sixth before Dustin Pedroia (Laser Show! His seventh of the season) and Varitek went back-to-back in the eighth. Josh Reddick (2 hits, run) almost made it three in a row as he flew out to deep right.

Daniel Bard recorded a 1-2-3 eighth on eight pitches (including a strikeout) which is pretty damn impressive.

Bobby Jenks came on to start the ninth with a 5-0 lead but clearly that's not enough for his fat ass. He promptly recorded one out, walked one, gave up a hit then a two-run bomb to Ryan Howard before he was mercifully taken out by Terry Francona. Hopefully a DFA is in his near future, he's beyond useless now.

Jonathan Papelbon got the last two outs for his 15th save of the season.

Boston wraps up its nine-game road trip and interleague play with three games in Houston this weekend. The Astros are the worst team in baseball so nothing less than two of three is acceptable for the Red Sox. Tonight, Tim Wakefield opposes Bud Norris.

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The Philadelphia Phillies Are The Best Team In Baseball, No Doubt About It

Well the Boston Red Sox are so desperate for runs that they put their franchise player (Adrian Gonzalez) in right field (for only the second time in his MLB career) just so they could have his bat and David Ortiz's (first base) in the same lineup.

All the panic and worry by Red Sox fans and media proved to be a joke (no surprise) as both managed to live through nine innings at their respective positions.

The bigger problem is that the team is struggling big time, losing 2-1 last night to the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

The Red Sox (45-34) have lost six of their last seven interleague games and they are in desperate need of a win today to turn things around.

Phillies (51-30) rookie Vance Worley (3-1) wasn't as good as Cliff Lee the night before but he still submitted an outstanding outing. He went seven innings, allowing one earned run on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

Another rookie Michael Stutes pitched a 1-2-3 eighth while Antonio Bastardo had a clean ninth for his third save of the season.

The ironic part about the loss was that Red Sox starter John Lackey (5-7) had one of his best starts ever for Boston. He went 7.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on eight hits with a walk and five strikeouts. He was pulled at 90 pitches and for once, I agreed with him that he should have stayed in there. Luckily Franklin Morales came on to retire Ryan Howard on a deep fly ball to center (with Chase Utley on third) to end the eighth.

Raul Ibanez (3 for 3, 2 RBIs, run) provided all the offense Philadelphia needed as he drove in Shane Victorino with an RBI single in the second and broke a 1-1 tie with a solo homer in the seventh. Ibanez was familiar with Lackey and had much success against him during their AL West days when he was on the Mariners and Lackey was on the Angels.

Josh Reddick (2 hits) was the only Red Sox with multiple hits as they were limited to five as a team. Lackey had the only RBI as he crushed an RBI double to center in the fifth to tie it at 1-1.

Two of MLB's best lefties and pitchers, Jon Lester and Cole Hamels, are set to go this afternoon in the series finale. Boston needs a win to salvage something from this stop.

Ortiz is out of the lineup again while Kevin Youkilis is out with a foot injury (getting X-Rays). The best news is that the team just designated Mike Cameron for assignment; his two years in Boston have been nothing short of a complete joke. Who thought he would have any success? He's the definition of washed up, good riddance Cammy.

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Cliff Lee Is a Very Bad Man

The beginning of yesterday's "World Series preview" between the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies was more like a prize fight.

In other words, it didn't live up to the hype as one side basically knocked out the other without really breaking a sweat which is precisely why I could give two shits about boxing (well that and the ridiculous pay per view prices).

Cliff Lee threw his third consecutive shutout (really) as the Phillies (50-30) rolled 5-0 over the Red Sox (45-33) at Citizens Bank Park.

Boston lost for the fifth time in its last six games, falling 1.5 games behind the Yankees in the AL East while the Rays are creeping up behind them (only 1 game back). The team has scored only 14 runs in its last six games meaning that David Ortiz is likely to start at first base with Adrian Gonzalez in right field (haha).

Philadelphia extended their MLB-best record, including a ridiculous 31-13 clip at home, while staying 4.5 games ahead of Atlanta in the NL East.

Lee (9-5) proved why he's the best left-hander in baseball and easily one of the top starting pitchers. He allowed only two hits with two walks and five strikeouts, throwing 112 pitches (71 for strikes).

Josh Beckett (6-3) couldn't match Lee's superb stuff as he went six innings, allowing five earned runs on five hits with a walk and a strikeout.

The Phillies crushed a pair of two-run bombs off Beckett: one by rookie Domonic Brown in the second and another by Shane Victorino.

As if he didn't have enough highlights last night, Lee scored Brown in the fifth with a deep sacrifice fly. It reminded me of a Little League player that dominates in every way possible. He got a standing ovation for the RBI and earlier in the game when he almost beat out an infield hit. Mercy.

Tonight figures to be much longer (last night was two hours and 37 minutes) and ugly as John Lackey opposes Phillies rookie Vance Worley. This might be the old reverse lock where you know Lackey will get shelled but then he pitches a gem but I wouldn't count on that. I get the feeling that he'll got rocked and leave after a few innings, call me an optimist.

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Interleague Baseball: Boston Vs. Philadelphia, The Definitive Breakdown

Any blogger living in their mother's basement or Red Sox beat reporter can give a simple breakdown of the Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies series which begins tonight at Citizen's Bank Park.

It's a possible World Series preview (fingers crossed) so it deserves more than a simple player by player matchup. Nope, with a best friend from college that hails from suburban Philadelphia and an ex-girlfriend from South Jersey, I feel like I'm better suited than most to compare and contrast these cities, fan bases, food, universities, etc.

The Red Sox check in at 45-32, half a game behind the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East.

The Phillies have the best record in MLB, 49-30, and they lead the National League East by 4.5 games.

Best local food: Cheesesteaks (Phi) vs. Clam Chowder (Bos)
Everybody does cheesesteaks but they're truly a delicacy in Philly. Boston's clam chowder is delicious but there's only so much of it you can possibly eat.
Edge: Phillies.

Tonight is Josh Beckett (6-2) vs. Cliff Lee (8-5). Tomorrow night is John Lackey (5-6) vs. Vance Worley (2-1) and Thursday afternoon is Jon Lester (9-4) vs. Cole Hamels (9-4). There's something for everyone as the series opener and finale promise to be likely pitcher's duels between some of the best pitchers in the game. Tomorrow will probably be a shootout as both pitchers will get shelled.

Catchers: Carlos Ruiz (Phi) vs. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Bos)
Ruiz is better although Salty has come on after a disastrous start to the 2011 season.
Edge: Phillies

Home Parks: Citizens Bank Park (Phi) vs. Fenway Park (Bos)
Both are hitters park, no questions asked but at least Fenway isn't a complete launching pad (other than the Green Monster). Citizens Bank is a glorified Little League World Series field but it's a modern stadium that's much more comfortable than the theme park known as Fenway.
Edge: Fenway for players, Citizens Bank for fans

1st base: Ryan Howard (Phi) vs. Adrian Gonzalez (Bos)
Two of the best first basemen in baseball, both can hit homers and extra base hits every time they come to the plate. However, Gonzalez is a more complete player (Gold Glover) and doesn't have as many holes in his swing.
Edge: Red Sox

Local Beers: Yuengling (Phi) vs. Sam Adams (Bos)
Two of my favorites so it's impossible to choose one over the other.
Edge: Push

2nd base: Chase Utley (Phi) vs. Dustin Pedroia (Bos)
Again two of the best at their respective position. Utley missed most of the season so far with an injury but he's back and seems to be himself again. Pedroia has gotten off to somewhat of a slow start but he is the heart and soul of the Red Sox.
Edge: Push

Overrated summer destinations: Jersey Shore (Phi) vs. Cape Cod (Bos)
Each have their charms but the traffic going to the Cape is brutal. Yet I can't choose the home of MTV's Jersey Shore over any other place in the world. A toxic dump that deserves to be paved over immediately.
Edge: Red Sox

Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins (Phi) vs. Marco Scutaro (Bos)
Probably the biggest positional mismatch. Rollins is an All-Star while Scutaro is a journeyman in what has been a revolving door for Boston since Nomar Garciaparra was traded to the Cubs in 2004.
Edge: Phillies

Ivy League Universities: UPenn (Phi) vs. Harvard (Bos)
Let's be honest, I wouldn't have had a prayer to get into either one but that won't stop me from saying Harvard-the World's Greatest University-is light years ahead of UPenn.
Edge: Red Sox

3rd base: Placido Polanco (Phi) vs. Kevin Youkilis (Bos)
Polanco is a solid pro, good in the field and at the plate but Youk is a little bit better in both ways.
Edge: Red Sox

Trademark movies: Rocky (Phi) vs. Good Will Hunting (Bos)
Absolute classics and two of my favorites of all-time. Still, I grew up around Boston and I'm not a working class Italian boxer.
Edge: Red Sox

Left field: Raul Ibanez (Phi) vs. Darnell McDonald (Bos)
This is a mess since Carl Crawford is on the DL for the Red Sox. Ibanez is washed up but McDonald hasn't had a pulse this season.
Edge: Phillies

Top musicians: The Roots (Phi) vs. Aerosmith (Bos)
Ugh, for a city that has a great music scene, Boston falls way short in this category. Unless you're a middle-aged dirtbag living in the North or South Shore, Aerosmith is a joke these days. Roots all day.
Edge: Phillies

Center field: Shane Victorino (Phi) vs. Jacoby Ellsbury (Bos)
Two of the most dynamic leadoff hitters in MLB. Electric is the best way to describe both. They have each earned All-Star spots if they keep up their fine play.
Edge: Push

Famous chicks: Heather Mitts (Phi) vs. Maria Menounos (Bos)
With my apologies to the fine people in the Keystone State, I couldn't think of any natives that are famous for their beauty. I'm sure I'm overlooking some. So give me Medford Maria in a heartbeat.
Edge: Red Sox

Right field: Dominic Brown (Phi) vs. Josh Reddick (Bos)
Two young guys that haven't proven much at the Major League level yet. Brown is the more hyped prospect but so far in a limited role, Reddick has been better.
Edge: Red Sox

Managers: Charlie Manuel (Phi) vs. Terry Francona (Bos)
Francona is a former Phillies manager that had no success in the City of Brotherly Love. Manuel is a lovable redneck. They're both baseball lifers.
Edge: Push

With no DH, David Ortiz is sitting to start tonight although Twitter is saying he'll get the start tomorrow night at first base with Gonzalez in the outfield. We shall see.

Fanbases: Philly lowlifes vs. Red Sox pink hats
Since they are the two most passionate and devoted fanbases in all of North American sports, it's easy to poke fun at both groups. However, Philly has more passion now that the Red Sox have won two World Series titles in the past seven years.
Edge: Phillies

Bullpen: Antonio Bastardo, Danys Baez & Michael Stutes (Phi) vs. Daniel Bard, Matt Albers & Jonathan Papelbon (Bos).

Clay Buchholz and Roy Oswalt are on the DL but the Phillies still have a better rotation. However, with Jose Contreras, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge all on the DL, the Philadelphia better hope they get long outings this series because their bullpen is a complete joke at the moment. The Red Sox only have two reliable guys in the bullpen (Bard and Papelbon) but that's two more than the Phillies.
Edge: Red Sox in bullpen, Phillies in rotation

Place in American history: Liberty Bell (Phillies) vs. Freedom Trail (Red Sox)
The two most important cities in American history so this is the definition of an even matchup.
Edge: Push

So yeah, let's hope this is a World Series preview. There would be nothing better than October baseball with these two great, historical cities going face to face for a World Series title. The ratings and interest would be off the charts. Enjoy the games everyone, go Red Sox!

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