Early ALDS News & Notes

With the Rays' first-ever A.L. East division title, we now know that the Red Sox will be traveling to Anaheim to face the Angels in the Division Series. Surprisingly, the Angels have chosen to start the series this Wednesday -- this means that there will be an off day between Games 1 and 2. This allows each team to work on a three-man pitching rotation instead of four. I'm sure the Red Sox are thrilled, since they can now throw their one-two punch of Josh Beckett and Jon Lester twice in the series if need be. Here are the pitching match-ups for the entire series:

Game 1: Josh Beckett (BOS) at John Lackey (LAA)
Game 2: Jon Lester (BOS) at Ervin Santana (LAA)
Game 3: Joe Saunders (LAA) at Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS)
Game 4 (If Necessary): John Lackey (LAA) at Josh Beckett (BOS)
Game 5 (If Necessary): Jon Lester (BOS) at Ervin Santana (LAA)

More information to come in the days to follow.

Posted by Dan Zappulla, VendorBall Columnist.

Yankees 19 - Red Sox 8

Somehow, amidst all the rain and speculation, last night's game was fit in, and all 9 innings, too. The game itself wasn't pretty, with David Pauley, David Aardsma, Mike Timlin, Chris Smith, and Devern Hansack combining to allow 19 runs on 20 hits and 5 walks. But Ellsbury went 4-5 with a double and a homer and Youkilis hit his 29th homerun of the year, knocking in his 115th RBI in his chase for the MVP award (which is now wide open in the AL with Quentin getting hurt).

Due to the weather Ortiz was scratched from his 1B start and Lowell had one AB before bowing out of the lineup. And although the loss forced the Sox into the Wild Card (the Rays lost to the Tigers), there was no reason to take a chance on the health of players who have been hurt this year. Drew was held out of the lineup, too, and Dice-K's start has been moved to this afternoon. Once again, rain threatens to cancel the game, but with no rain having fallen yet, I expect to see some baseball today.

Pitching Matchup: Daisuke "9 walks, 9 strikeouts" Matsuzaka vs. Sidney "How the hell do I keep getting work?" Ponson*

*Sidney Ponson has a career 90-106 record with a 4.96 ERA. No one on the Vendorball staff has any clue to how he keeps on finding a team to pay him money to pitch.



Update written by Kyle Baxter: International Man of Myserious Habits

Baseball Update: Mid-Afternoon Adjustments

As of right now, the Red Sox and Yankees are still scheduled to play this evening. It should be noted, however, that Johnny Pesky's number-retirement-ceremony has been postponed until Sunday afternoon.

Here are the lineups for tonight's game, per Adam Kilgore of Extra Bases:

Red Sox
1. Jacoby Ellbury, CF
2. Jed Lowrie, SS
3. David Ortiz,1B
4, Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. Jason Bay LF
6. Mike Lowell, DH
7. Mark Kotsay, RF
8. Kevin Cash, C
9. Gil Velazquez, 2B
-- Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP

Yankees
1. Johnny Damon, LF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jason Giambi, 1B
6. Xavier Nady, DH
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Chad Moeller, C
9. Brett Gardner, CF
--Alfredo Aceves, SP

That's right, David Ortiz is starting at first base. Interesting. A sign of things to come in the postseason? Perhaps to fit Lowell's bat in there? Or just to get everyone an at-bat or two before the game is called due to weather?

Another note -- the vending for tonight's game has been cancelled. That's not a sure-fire sign that the game will be called off, but it's an early indication.

Posted by Dan Zappulla, VendorBall Columnist.

Here's to You, Number Six.

Tonight, the Boston Red Sox will add a seventh number to the distant right-field facade inside hallowed Fenway Park. Amidst the legendary red numerals of 1, 4, 8, 9 and 27, graced by a blue 42, shall rest another digit that will persevere for countless generations to come.

No, this red 6 will not be honoring Tony Pena or Gary Gaetti. It won't be for the beloved Rico Petrocelli. Not even for the now-forgiven Bill Buckner. This night is reserved for a man who bleeds a deeper shade of red than the rest of us. It is for a man who is a genuine member of the Red Sox family through and through: Johnny Pesky.

The entire VendorBall staff will be lucky enough to be on-hand Friday night to witness the unveiling of Pesky's number thirty feet from the yellow pole that bears his name. It brings to mind my one-and-only meeting with Johnny, some five years ago. I was working as a vendor at Fenway (wonder how we named the blog?) with fellow columnist, Kyle "Don't Call Me Meredith" Baxter. As Kyle and I were sitting in the right-field grandstand about two hours before gametime (we were required to be there quite early), we noticed a small crowd gathering a few sections over. We wandered by, and noticed that all eyes were on none other than Johnny Pesky. He was sitting there, discussing hitting techniques with anyone who would listen. Timidly, I grabbed a baseball from my backpack (we caught several of them during batting practice), fumbled through t-shirts and papers to find a Sharpie, and asked him for an autograph. Not only did he sign the ball, but he did it with a smile. We talked about the team for a few minutes before I let the others around me experience the same joy. I shook his hand, thanked him, and haven't forgotten the moment since.

I've heard many callers on the radio dispute Pesky's resume and dedication to this team. They say his statistics aren't impressive, he hasn't been with the team long enough, and that he's less genuine than he seems. To those who stray on that side of the fence, let me say it plainly so there is no doubt: there has never been an individual more deserving of this honor than Johnny Pesky. That includes Williams, Yastremzski, Doerr, Fisk, whomever you'd like to bring up. This man has lived with a "B" tattooed on his heart for sixty years. I met the man. He is every bit the gentleman that he appears to be. The Boston Red Sox are his life, and this is the perfect way to commemorate his solemn dedication. Congratulations, Johnny -- you've earned this.

Posted by Dan Zappulla, VendorBall Columnist.