Houston Astros | Sports of Boston

With Bailey Out, Aceves Named Sox Closer

By Nick Bohlen ⋅ April 5, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment

In a surprising move, manager Bobby Valentine has named Alfredo Aceves the replacement closer for the Boston Red Sox. With expected closer Andrew Bailey out for 3-4 months after surgery on his injured thumb, Aceves takes over the closer role despite very little experience closing games. For his career, Aceves has just four saves under [...]

2012 Red Sox Preview: Relief Pitchers

By Matthew Bond ⋅ March 15, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment

A big storyline heading into this new season is how the Red Sox bullpen will perform given significant personal changes. Gone is four-time All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon to free agency. A big change awaits former dominate set up man Daniel Bard as he is stretched out to start this year to help a limited rotation. [...]

Hunter Pence to the Red Sox?

By Matthew Bond ⋅ July 24, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

With the approaching trade deadline comes the many varying rumors of teams discussing deals to make improvements on their rosters, as well as those of whom consider themselves out of playoff contention looking to deal for the future. The Red Sox currently find themselves at the top of the American League, where many had predicted [...]

McDonald HRs, Miller Impressive Again in Red Sox Win Over Astros

By KC Downey ⋅ July 3, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

It would appear that the Red Sox are finally starting to figure out these National League rules. After losing 2 of 3 to the Pirates and Phillies, the Red Sox have won the first two against the Astros in Houston, their last interleague series of the season. Boston took it to Astros starter J.A. Happ [...]

Big 7th Inning Lifts Red Sox Past Astros; Ortiz to Start at 1B Saturday

By KC Downey ⋅ July 2, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

Through the first six innings, the Red Sox looked dead in the water Friday night against the Astros. Marco Scutaro led off the game with a home run, but after that, the Sox managed just four walks and no hits or runs until the seventh off Astros starter Bud Norris, who had 10 strikeouts through [...]

David Ortiz Should Sit, Not Move Adrian Gonzalez to Outfield, on NL Road Trip

By Matt Goisman ⋅ June 23, 2011 ⋅ One comment

Terry Francona has a problem: without a DH for the upcoming nine-game NL road trip, should he play David Ortiz (.313 BA, 17 homers, .977 OPS) at first and move Adrian Gonzalez (.359, 15, 1.019) to right field, or keep Gonzalez at first and use Ortiz primarily as a pinch hitter? Moving Gonzalez preserves the [...]

N.L. Central Fantasy Preview

By Pete Rampino ⋅ March 22, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

The largest division in baseball is brimming with fantasy talent from top to bottom. This division contains the single most dominant player of the past decade, who you will be drafting first overall in any draft. Even though he may overshadow other players, the N.L. Central has a lot of early round talent worth spending [...]

Jason Varitek Catches Injury Bug, Lands on DL

By Mike Carlucci ⋅ July 3, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

After the injury to Victor Martinez, Jason Varitek was in line to take over starting catcher duties. However, it seems the captain himself was not immune from the injury bug going around, fracturing a foot and landing on the disabled list with nine of his teammates. With only Gustavo Molina left standing as a healthy [...]

Red Sox Trade for Kevin Cash, Sign Rich Hill

By KC Downey ⋅ July 1, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

The Red Sox have made a couple necessary moves in the last couple days. With the team short at the catcher position due Victor Martinez’s untimely injury and DL trip, the Sox traded minor league infielder Angel Sanchez for old friend Kevin Cash, who played catcher for the Sox in 2007 and 2008. There’s no [...]

Brad Mills Named Astros Manager

By Matt Goisman ⋅ October 27, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

ESPN.com reported Tuesday that Brad Mills has been hired by the Houston Astros to be their new manager. I, for one, am sorry to see him go. The bench coach is an often overlooked position on the coaching staff, but it is a very important one. The bench coach is the second in command for [...]

Astros Seek Red Sox Coaches for Managerial Job

By KC Downey ⋅ October 13, 2009 ⋅ One comment

The Red Sox granted the Houston Astros permission to speak with first base coach Tim Bogar and bench coach Brad Mills about the team’s managerial opening. Mills and third base coach Demarlo Hale interviewed for the Seattle Mariners open job last season, but lost out to Don Wakamatsu. “It’s pretty cool,” said Mills about the [...]

All-Star Update: Yankees Fans Attack Papelbon

By Dev ⋅ July 15, 2008 ⋅ Post a comment

BREAKING NEWS: With one stroke of the bat, Red Sox RF J.D. Drew knocked in a 2-run shot off Cincinatti Reds SP Edinson Volquez to tie the All-Star Game at 2-2 in the 7th inning. We’ll keep you posted. Update: Sox Closer Jonathan Papelbon came in the 8th inning to a slew of boos and [...]

View from the Monster 6-30

By Mike ⋅ June 30, 2008 ⋅ Post a comment

The Red Sox are coming off a 3-3 week after taking two of three at home from the Diamondbacks and then dropping two of three in Houston to a rebuilding Astros team. More importantly, the Sox have dropped back into second place, a 1/2 game behind the Rays heading into the three game series in [...]

Loretta Delivers Victory Over Sox

By KC Downey ⋅ June 29, 2008 ⋅ Post a comment

Mark Loretta played one all-star season at second base for the Red Sox (in 2006), finishing with five HRs, 59 RBI, and a .285 AVG. The Red Sox then just let him go en lieu of an unknown rookie named Dustin Pedroia. Now with the Astros, Loretta is merely a backup infielder and pinch hitter, [...]

Astros Win Slugfest 11-10