Will David Ortiz be the lift the Sox need to claim a second-straight AL East title? Will the Yankees make the playoffs to cap off the last in Yankee Stadium? Get ready for the stretch as the Sox and Yankees open a three-game series Friday.
by Aaron Baral (Member) 0 comments
t is the return of Red Sox slugger David Ortiz. Ortiz has been out since May 31 after sustaining a partial tear of the tendon sheath in his left wrist in a game against the Baltimore Orioles. Ortiz’s return to the lineup will be a huge help to an offense that got the job done while he was out, but certainly could use another big bat to help Manny Ramirez and J.D. Drew.

By Ian Browne / MLB.com BOSTON - His giant presence has been missed, be it at the plate, in the clubhouse or just in general. In some ways, the summer of 2008 has had a bit of a void in New England because David Ortiz has not been a part of it.
And that is why his return -- expected to be Friday night against the Yankees -- should be one of the most energized occasions Fenway Park has seen all season.
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It’s the toughest ticket in town. A huge rivalry – emotions soaring, teams scoring, balls flying, tempers boiling – a game that anyone would want to

The Yankees are in town for a weekend series, and this would be a nice time to retire the stupidest chant in the world: Yankees suck.
Now, before you go all Hank Steinbrenner on me, hear me out.
cal difference: I respect the Yankees, and I've taught my sons to do so, too. They are 14 and 11, love baseball, and know that Derek Jeter plays the game as well and as hard as anyone has. If I were picking sides in the schoolyard, Jeter is the guy I'd pick first.

By Ian Browne / MLB.com SEATTLE - The latest clash between the Red Sox and Yankees will start with a big test -- for the radar gun.
There will be no easing into this rivalry weekend showdown between the perennial American League East powers. The Red Sox send their ace to the mound in Josh Beckett. The Yankees counter with a man who hopes to duplicate some of the things Beckett has done on the big stage in highly-talented right-hander Joba Chamberlain.
n you're playing in your division, you want to play well. It is the Yankees and you know it's magnified but you try to do everything the way you normally do it."

Can you believe the Red Sox are tied for the most road losses - through Sunday's play?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
ps - the St. Louis Cardinals of 2006, and the Florida Marlins of 2003 and 1997.

By Tony Massarotti SEATTLE - Nobody has suggested that this is all beyond repair, but the Red Sox [team stats]’ difficulties away from Fenway Park [map] this season have gone well past the stage of annoyance.
“That would be a good word, I guess,” manager Terry Francona said last night at Safeco Field, where the Sox ended a five-game road skid by shutting out the pathetic Seattle Mariners, 4-0. “It’s a little perplexing.”
play the Mariners three games behind the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays in the loss column. During the weekend, the Los Angeles Angels baked Boston’s beans. Take away even a few of those miracle finishes and these Sox would look more like their ancestors from 2005 than 2007, the former a group that somehow made the playoffs despite a wretched relief corps.