Saturday, June 6, 2009

Lester Pitches Red Sox Back into First

Jon Lester took a perfect game into the 7th before Michael Young hit a double to break it up. Lester would only give up one more hit (to Young again) in his first complete game of the season. He had 11 K's in the outing and said he had better stuff than when he pitched his no-no last year.

The Red Sox offense recovered from the sluggishness of Friday night to put up 8 runs on 9 hits including 2 home runs. Lowell and Big Papi both went deep and Pedroia and Bay each had a multiple RBI game.

The victory combined with a Yankee loss put the Red Sox in sole posession of first place in the A.L. East.

Red Sox Win 8-1 BOX SCORE


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Rangers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1
Red Sox 0 1 0 0 3 4 0 0 0 8 9 0

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Kenny Albert is Ready This Time

Kenny Albert posted this picture the from the booth at Safeco Field today:












Front and center was a brush in case Karros' hair does this again:

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Tonight's Red Sox Lineup 6/6 vs.Texas

Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Jacoby Ellsbury, RF
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
Jason Bay, LF
Mike Lowell, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
Jason Varitek, C
Rocco Baldelli, RF
Nick Green, SS

Jon Lester, SP

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5 Things You May Not Have Known

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Brad Penny Rumors

There is no question the Red Sox are trying to move Brad Penny soon and the rumor mill about possible deals is heating up.

Buster Olney still has the Braves as being interested in adding Penny to their staff; possibly to their bullpen. Jeff Francoeur is the name that has been thrown around as going to Boston in a possible trade but with the return of Kotsay and Baldelli healthy another outfielder is not really needed. Francoeur is not the answer at DH if Papi continues to struggle either. Braves GM Frank Wren says there is no truth to the trade rumors.

Todd Zolecki of MLB.com says the Phillies are interested in Penny but would have to give up Jason Donald to get him. This would be a great deal for the Red Sox but it is doubtful that they could get Donald for Penny alone. I know what you are thinking and no, Lugo does not sweeten the deal for anybody.

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Friday, June 5, 2009

FAILHAT Friday at the Fens

Brad Penny on the mound, Lugo at short, and the team sporting the "hanging sox" FAILHATs. Run for your lives!! Penny actually pitched pretty well until the 5th when the Rangers started a rally with one out. Elvis Andrus hit what could have been a double play ball to end the inning, to Lugo but the ball went under his glove allowing a run to score. The inning continued and Kinsler hit a 3-run homer. By the end of the 5th the Rangers had a 5 run lead and that would be all they would need with the way Millwood pitched.

The Red Sox offense had 7 hits but most of them came with 2 outs. Big Papi had the only RBI for the team with a single in the 8th. The Sox tried to rally in the 9th when the first two batters reached but the power of the FAILHATs was too much and the rally ended with three quick outs.

Red Sox Lose 5-1 BOX SCORE


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Rangers 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 0 5 8 1
Red Sox 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 7 0

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Rain is Coming

Things are not looking great for tonight's game. While you are waiting for the game to start, head over to the Texas Ranger's blog for the Dallas Morning News to read my answers to some questions on the Red Sox and the upcoming series.

Radar image is below:

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Tonight's Red Sox Lineup 6/5 vs. Texas

Dustin Pedroia, 2B
J.D. Drew, RF
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
Jason Bay, LF
Mike Lowell, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
Jason Varitek, C
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Julio Lugo, SS

Brad Penny, SP

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Can you name the 2004 Red Sox World Series winning roster?

Can you name the 2004 Red Sox World Series winning roster? Click here to play the game, but no cheating, no looking up the answers first. Just click and go.

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From Deep in the Heart of Texas

Ricard Durrett from the Texas Rangers Blog for the Dallas Morning News agreed to answer a few questions about the team the Red Sox will be facing for the next three games.

FW: Can the Rangers win the division without Josh Hamilton?

RD: Yes. It won’t be easy, but they can. The AL West is a weak division this season, where 88 wins is probably enough to win it. The Rangers have the bats to compete, though they’ve been inconsistent on offense early in the season. This Rangers team, like any Rangers team, must prove they can pitch well enough to stay in games. So far, for the most part, they’ve done that. In my opinion, it’s pitching more than the absence of Hamilton that will decide this division. But there’s no question he’ll be missed in the lineup and that means this team must get production from guys like Hank Blalock, Marlon Byrd and David Murphy to go along with the bats of Ian Kinsler, Michael Young and Nelson Cruz.



FW: How would you rate C.J. Wilson's performance since he took over the closer role?


RD: CJ Wilson is not the closer. He lost that job last season after a handful of struggling performances and an injury. Outside of yesterday’s two-run homer given up to Melky Cabrera, Wilson has pitched well in a late-inning setup role the past month. Frank Francisco is the team’s closer now that he’s returned from a brief stint on the DL. He’s been one of the top relievers in the AL. He’s aggressive and doesn’t mess around out there. He deserves an All-Star spot.



FW: What has been the biggest reason for the Rangers early success this season?


RD: Starting pitching. The rotation has pitched deeper into games and left with the Rangers still in it. Last season at this time, the Rangers had the most overworked bullpen in the AL. Now, they’ve got one of the least worked. It’s part of what Nolan Ryan stressed the last few years. He wanted pitchers to get one more batter, give the team one more inning. They are doing that. The fact that the offense hasn’t completely come around yet makes some think this team will only improve.



FW: Do you think the Rangers will trade Saltalamacchia or Teagarden before the deadline?


RD: Tough question. I think if the right deal is out there, they would trade one of those catchers. But they’ve been hesitant to do that so far. Rumors were out there about the Rangers wanting Clay Buchholz, but that hasn’t materialized. Saltalamacchia has shown vast improvement defensively and is starting to hit the ball. He must cut down on strikeouts. Teagarden, who plays once or twice a week and has been Matt Harrison’s personal catcher, has always been a big defensive presence and some see him with more upside. The bottom line: They’ve got two young catchers who can probably start in the majors for a long time.



FW: What are your predictions for this series with the Red Sox?


RD: The Rangers are fortunate to avoid Beckett and Wakefield. The X-factor is how Vicente Padilla does on Sunday, assuming he makes that start (and I think he will). I predicted the Rangers would take 2 of 3, but that won’t be easy.

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Patience at the Plate

According to Gary Marbry of WEEI.com :

Through Wednesday, four Red Sox regulars have taken 60% or more of pitches seen: Kevin Youkilis (63.2%), Jason Bay (62.8%), Dustin Pedroia (61.9%), and JD Drew (60.4%).

It is nice to see Red Sox hitters work the opposing pitchers and get the pitch they want; this stat is one of the biggest reasons for those hitter's success at the plate.

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Thursday, June 4, 2009

Buchholz Wins Again

Buchholz went seven innings giving up three runs on six hits, including a two-run homer in the win. He had 5 K's and no walks in the outing, throwing 82 pitches (57 for strikes.) With Smolz having just 2 rehab starts left before he returns and Buchholz pitching well, Penny's days in Boston might be numbered.

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Wake Settles in to Complete Sweep

Wakefield struggled early giving up 3 runs in the second but then settled down and made it into the 7th without giving up another run.

The Red Sox offense came back quick in the 3rd scoring 6 runs when the wheels came off for Dontrelle Willis.

Big Papi sat out the game but did bring in some food for players in the clubhouse. I guess he has to contribute however he can. A sweep of the Tigers on the road keeps the Red Sox on top of the A.L. East with the Yankees.

Red Sox Win 6-3 BOX SCORE


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Red Sox 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 6 0
Tigers 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 10 0

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Today's Red Sox 6/4 Lineup vs. the Tigers

Dustin Pedroia, 2B
J.D. Drew, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
Jason Bay, LF
Mike Lowell, 3B
Rocco Baldelli, RF
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Julio Lugo, SS
George Kottaras, C

Tim Wakefield, SP

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Yankee Stadium Nickname Contest

The New York Daily News is running a contest for the best nickname for the new Yankee Stadium.

All you need to do is submit your suggestion in the comments section below; we'll pick our five favorite nicknames and put them up for a vote on Wed., June 10th at noon - right here on NYDailyNews.com. The winner wins a customized home run-themed Daily News back page featuring their winning headline in big, bold letters - giving him or her bragging rights for a lifetime.
This one could be too good to pass up for Red Sox fans. Hit up the comment section of the Daily News article and give them a name the Yankees truly deserve.

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Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Beckett Shuts Down the Tigers

Josh Beckett dominated on the mound tonight flirting with a no-hitter into the 7th. Granderson slapped a two-out single; up to that point Beckett had retired 18 straight batters.

Big Papi was 1-4 with a bases loaded double and every member of the Red Sox in the starting lineup had a hit in the game. Mike Lowell had his 1500th career hit in the game and Kotsay played for the first time after Youk left the game when his ankle was stepped on by Josh Anderson.

The Tigers showed some signs of life late and were boosted by some infield errors before Saito eventually closed the door.


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Red Sox 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 10 13 3
Tigers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 5 3 1


Red Sox win 10-5 BOX SCORE

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Tonight's Red Sox Lineup 6/3 vs. the Tigers

Dustin Pedroia, 2B
J.D. Drew, RF
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
Jason Bay, LF
Mike Lowell, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
Jason Varitek, C
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Nick Green, SS

Josh Beckett, SP

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Pedroia and the Varmint

After a squirrel was chased into the Red Sox dugout Francona and the rest of the team made fun of Pedroia's squirrel like-qualities:








"I told Pedey it looked like - anybody have AOL, they have that celebrity look-alike? - when he was behind him at second, that's what it reminded me of," Francona said.

"That was pretty funny," Pedroia said. "I've never seen a squirrel running around. I got made fun of pretty much half the game.

"That was pretty much a distraction the whole night for me.

"It was kind of cool seeing that thing running around. Our hunting guys on our team, they were licking their chops."

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Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Tito Gets 500th Win

Dice-K pitched well enough to get his first win of the season tonight and Terry Francona had his 500th win.

J-Bay homed in the game and Drew, Tek, and Ells each had multiple hits.

Paps loaded the bases in the 9th but then struck out the side to end the game.

Red Sox Win 5-1 BOX SCORE


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Red Sox 1 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 5 9 0
Tigers 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 9 2

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CHB + Extra Bases Blog = Failure

The Globe has a good thing going with the Extra Bases blog but adding CHB to the mix is a recipe for disaster. He tries to add some humor into the coverage when a squirrel goes on the field but screws it up and then makes fun of blogging while he was doing it:

There's been a squirrel on the field for quite a while. He seems to have pretty good range.

Dice-K just threw his first wild pitch of the night -- that's five in two starts, but the night is young. The squirrel just moved to the warning track behind J.D. Drew. I think they hunt those in Georgia.

Dice-K just fanned Clete Thomas to end the inning (45 pitches) and groundskeepers came out to chase the critter. Little Rocky beat feet and went up the right field scoreboard. Then on to center with four guys chasing him. They herded him into the Sox bullpen, then he climbed the wall and went into some bushes...And I continue to blog. In fact, blogging is my life.

Please keep the Extra Bases blog to Adam Kilgore and Amalie Benjamin and things will be fine. CHB can go back to making up some curse involving Johnny Damon.

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Someone Has Too Much Time On His Hands, This is Scary (Yankee Abuse Inside)

Someone at Jock and Balls has been spending way too much time with Photoshop, as evidenced by photos he composed of famous male athletes faces onto bikini model's bodies. Here are his photos of Clemens and Jeter. Follow the link above for more disturbing photos. You have been warned.


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View From the Motor City

Fenway West interviewed Bob Biscigliano of the Detroit sports blog detroit4lyfe.com about the series with the Tigers:

FW
: Is Porcello's current win streak a surprise for Tiger's fans or do you think it will keep going?


D4L: I don't think Porcello's ability is of any surprise. He's going to have many win streaks like the one he's having now throughout his career. The most surprising thing about Porcello this season has been composure. As just a 20-year, he certainly doesn't pitch like one. He holds himself like a 30-year old veteran on the rubber. Most rookies when they get into a jam will fall apart that outing, however Porcello shakes it off and gets out of jams like it's nothing. He's been very good at minimizing the damage.

FW: Who has been the Tigers MVP so far this season? Why?

D4L: There are a few Tigers worthy of the team MVP right now. Cabrera has been as steady as they come at the plate, Inge is hitting an All-Star, Verlander is dominant of late, and even Porcello has pitched like an ace recently. However, Edwin Jackson has been the Tigers rock this season. He's only had one bad outing this season and when Verlander and Porcello were struggling early on, he helped the Tigers pick up some key wins to keep the wheels on. If these guys continue at this pace, this decision will be of great debate.

FW: How did the Tigers turn it around this year?

D4L: The Tigers have turned it around thus far mostly because of their pitching. New pitching coach Rick Knapp has worked wonders with the pitchers in getting them to harness their stuff and throw strikes. It doesn't hurt that the Tigers have been getting big hits in key situations too, unlike last year.

FW: Who will hit their second home run first; Ortiz or Polanco?

D4L
:
David Ortiz. Ortiz averages more home runs per season than Polanco has hit in his last 6 years. Yes, Ortiz is in a major rut, but he'll get out of it. All the good hitters do.

FW: What are your predictions for this series with the Red Sox?

D4L: This is going to be a great series with some competitive games, but the Red Sox caught the Tigers at the perfect part of their rotation with the 20-year old rookie, a struggling Armando, and a "never know what you're going to get still" Dontrelle Willis. I'm not a betting man, but if I had to guess I'd say Red Sox take two out of three.

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Welcome Back Kotsay

Mark Kotsay

The Red Sox got one step closer to being back to full health today. The Sox activated Mark Kotsay of the disabled list. As a result, Jeff Bailey was sent back down to AAA Pawtucket.

Just in case you are not sure who Mark Kotsay is...he was traded to the Red Sox late last year. He became incredibly important as we pressed on in the post season. Kotsay plays OF and first base. We got to see Kotsay's impressive skills at first base quite a bit when Mikey Lowell went down with his hip injury. In many ways...Kotsay helped us go as far as we did.

Since Kotsay was sent our way, I've been a fan. I was initially thrilled to hear that he was resigned to a one year deal with the Sox for 2009. I became a tad less thrilled when I heard that he needed to undergo back surgery and wouldn't be available until May or June....and that the Red Sox were not made aware of this when signing him.

However, I still think Kotsay is an incredibly valuable guy to have on the bench. He can back up our outfield if needed...and it probably will be with the double team of injury prone fellas, Rocco Baldelli and JD Drew (love both of them, but it's a fact). And his value at First Base has already been shown in 2008. It gives Terry Francona so many more options. He can give Mikey Lowell more rest if needed...and allow Lowell to DH if and when it comes to that.

So welcome back Kots! Feel free to get back to kick arse anytime buddy!

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What Does Your Jersey Say About You?

I saw this over on Twitter and thought it was hilarious, so I thought I would share. Rich Levine over at Wicked Good Sports wrote a blog entitles, "What Your Red Sox Jersey Says About You." Check it out. It's amusing.

So, which one are you? Be honest. I only count the officially player jerseys I have and not the other ones...or I'd be listing off the whole team.

For me: JD Drew and Jonathan Papelbon.

JD Drew

• You won’t shut up about the 2007 ALCS.
• You typically use up all your sick days before March 1.
• Your arm’s in sling.


While it is true that I won't shut up about the 2007 ACLS...nor the month of June in 2008...nor JD hitting in the 08 ADLS...nor JD's clutch homerun in Game 5 of the ACLS as part of the best comeback win ever...you got me there. I will say, I have enough sick time at work to not have to come in for a few months with no worries.

Jonathan Papelbon

• You’re the first one to break something at a house party.
• Your favorite book is The Dirt by Mötley Crüe
• Pamela Anderson is still on your list of Top 3 hottest women.
• You like to dress up when you get drunk.
• You went to college in the South.


While I love Pap and dread the day he might leave us, other than me being a klutz and breaking things, not much else fits. Okay, I have been known to dress up in preparation of my drunkenness....but that's about it. I think Jason Bay might be the only guy who'd call my college in Burlington Vermont "in the South."

Fit or no fit....that blog is nothing short of hilarious!

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Tonight's Red Sox Lineup 6/2 vs. the Tigers

Dustin Pedroia, 2B
J.D. Drew, RF
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
Jason Bay, LF
Mike Lowell, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
Jason Varitek, C
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Nick Green, SS

Dice-K, SP

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Big Papi Obituaries

The calender has hit June and written notices of Big Papi's baseball death are starting to appear everywhere. Today we had this from the Globes' Eric Wilbur:

Players have emerged from slumps in the past. And maybe there is hope for 2010. But right now, no signs point to a sudden turnaround any time soon. Shelf him and pray. That's about the best option.

There is nothing positive to take from Ortiz’s lost season. The Fenway Park plaque boasting him as the Greatest Clutch Hitter reads like a gravestone these days, memorializing the death of a Red Sox legend's career

and this from ESPN's Bill Simmons:

Whatever the case, it's clear that David Ortiz no longer excels at baseball. This has been banged home over and over again for two solid months. It's ruined the season for me thus far. The best way I can describe Fenway during any Papi at-bat is this: It's filled with 35,000 parents of the same worst kid in Little League who dread every pitch thrown in the kid's direction. There is constant fear and sadness and helplessness. Nobody knows what to do.

I still haven't given up on Big Papi altough I have benched him on my fantasy team. Give him two more weeks at the 6th spot to get it going, if he is still batting below .200 and hasn't hit another homer than I too will join those writing about his baseball death.

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Dice-K Needs to Get it Going

Dice-K will have to pitch very well to get the win in tonight's game because the Red Sox are facing a red hot pitcher in Rick Porcello:

1.50 ERA during his current five-game winning streak. According to Elias Sports Bureau, that makes Porcello -- at 20 years, 151 days old -- the second-youngest pitcher in Major League history to go 5-0 with an ERA of 1.50 or better in any five-start span (the Mets' Dwight Gooden went 5-0 with a 1.43 ERA in five starts at age 19 in 1984)
Matsuzaka is still looking for his first win of the season and has an ERA over 8. If he can't get it going tonight there are likely to be rumblings about bringing up Buchholz or allowing Smoltz to take his place in the rotation. If Dice-K and Big Papi can get it going the Red Sox will be in the drivers seat but if they both continue their epic struggles Theo is going to have to make some tough choices.

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Monday, June 1, 2009

Phish at Phenway: Down With Disease

From May 31, 2009

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Jerry Remy Thanks Fans

The Rem Dawg posted a short audio message to fans today, listen below:

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5 Finger Discount

Last week I wrote about how mad Teddy Ballgame would be if he knew that his things were being auctioned off by a second rate junk dealer and now he might be even more pissed. Several items were stolen during the limited preview for the auction. Watch below:

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Sunday, May 31, 2009

Red Sox June National TV Schedule

June 3 Weds BOS @ DET, ESPN 4:05 PM
June 7 Sunday TEX @ BOS, TBS 10:35 AM
June 10 Weds NYY @ BOS, ESPN 4:10 PM
June 27 Saturday BOS @ ATL, Fox 1:00 PM

All times PDT.

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Pedey & Tek Adorableness.

Sometimes I get annoyed at people's constant talk about just how small Dustin Pedroia is. I think it takes away from the natural talent the guy has.

However, I have to say....is this picture from the Globe not absolutely freakin' adorable? It was taken just after Pedey hit a ball that just cleared the wall for a 3 run homer. It screams father/son baseball game. LOVE IT!

Photobucket

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Jon Lester: Righting the Ship!

We all wondered which version of Jon Lester we'd get on the mound today against the Blue Jays. Would we get the guy who stood on the mound in Game 4 of the World Series and dominated? Would we get the guy who pitched a no hitter in 08?

Or would we get the guy we've seen more often in 2009? The guy who seems unsure of his stuff. Who seems to do alright until he lets an inning just eat him alive...usually the 5th?

Jon Lester

*swoons*

Us Red Sox fans got to see the version of Lester we wanted to see on the mound. Jon threw 115 pitches, STRUCK out 12 batters and only allowed one run in 6 innings of work to lead the Sox to a 8-2 victory.

Jon Lester got a career record on those 12 strikeouts. Very nice indeed. The Blue Jays were never able to get anything started against him. And, unlike numerous other Red Sox pitchers, he got some run support from his fellow bats.

Welcome Back Jonny Les!!! Please feel more than free to stick around for a LONG time to come!

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Behind the Dish

Varitek's offensive turnaround this year has taken the pressure off of Theo to go out and trade for a quick fix behind the plate. If Tek's numbers hold the Red Sox will pick up his option for 2010 giving more time for minor league catchers Mark Wagnor and Luis Exposito to develop. Wagner has turned it around this year in Portland and is hitting .302 with a .970 OPS. He already has the defensive skills so if the bat comes around the catcher of the future may be in the Sox farm system. NESN interviewed Exposito this week:

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