The Red Sox begin a six game road trip in Colorado and San Francisco tonight as they face the Rockies.
John Tomase looks at the recent seven week stretch that saved the Red Sox season, and has five reasons why they’ve become the hottest team in baseball. Jeff Goldberg has a quick note about why the Red Sox have Randy Winn to thank for their hot streak. Gordon Edes has 10 reasons why you should believe in the Red Sox. Maureen Mullen has the Sox looking to take their winning streak on the road.
Peter Abraham has a frustrated Mike Cameron hoping to be able to show Boston what he is capable of. Mike Fine has more on Cameron, who doesn’t want to talk about his injury any more. Brian MacPherson notes that the fill-ins in the Red Sox outfield this season have come up big.
Rob Bradford notes that at one time Victor Martinez wanted to quit hitting right-handed, but is now on a historic pace against lefties.
David Willis has a look at Red Sox draftee Bryce Brentz’s debut with the Lowell Spinners on opening night.
Abraham’s notebook has several Red Sox looking forward to a return to Coors Field, where they clinched the 2007 World Series. Tomase’s notebook looks at some of the talented pitchers the Red Sox will be facing on this trip. MacPherson’s Red Sox Journal notes that the Red Sox could again have two All Stars in their starting rotation. Fine’s notebook has the Sox preparing to face Ubaldo Jimenez, who is an amazing 13-1 with a 1.15 ERA.
Gerry Callahan has a lot of hate for Manny Ramirez and Tiger Woods. Hmmm. I know he’s knocked Roger Clemens in the past, but I don’t think it’s been anything like this. I wonder why. Clemens is a combination of the worst of Ramirez and Tiger; he’s a philandering steroid user, but Gerry harshest wrath is reserved for Manny and Tiger. Got it.
Celtics
Mark Murphy has a look at what directions the Celtics might be looking at in the draft and free agency. Jessica Camerato gives us five Celtics storylines to watch this summer. Chris Forsberg says that the Celtics late season slide to fourth in the East might actually be a stroke of luck in the draft. Jim Fenton says that the Celtics need to have a better offseason than they did last summer.
Julian Benbow has Doc Rivers telling WEEI that he’s leaning one way, but not flat out saying which way that is. Peter May looks at why Rivers should stay, and what might happen if he leaves. (Mike Brown? Cmon.) Dan Duggan has Rivers still undecided. Teddy Panos says that a lack of urgency ultimately did in the Celtics this season.
Bob Ryan remembers Manute Bol the basketball player, and more importantly, the man.
Misc
Steve Conroy says that this might be the most important week of Peter Chiarelli’s career. Mike Loftus says that the Bruins have a lot of options heading into the draft. DJ Bean looks at what moves are out there for Chiarelli and the Bruins to make. Joe McDonald says that the Bruins win with either Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin, but they do have one guy they prefer over the other. James Murphy thinks that defenseman Jarred Tinordi could be an immediate contributor at pick #15. Fluto Shinzawa says that the Bruins aren’t revealing which player they prefer.
Stephen Harris has the Bruins set to make a stop in Northern Ireland during this fall’s exhibition season.
Ian R. Rapoport has five Patriots questions to ponder between now and the start of training camp. Jeff Howe talks with Patriots receivers coach Chad O’Shea.
