Delonte West has played a big part in Celtics success the last few years — without ever playing a game for the team. He was the key part of a Summer 2007 deal that sent him, Wally Szczerbiak, and No. 5 pick Jeff Green to the then-Seattle Supersonics for Ray Allen and Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis, two key members of the Celtics NBA Championship team.

West, a former Cavalier, also allegedly helped the Celtics in a very different way. Many suspected that LeBron James quit during the end of the Cavs-Celtics series in the 2010 playoffs because he found out that West had slept with his mom, Gloria James. Whether or not this is true, it’s an absurdly hot Internet rumor that’s never really been denied. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire my friends.

Now, West gets a chance to help his old team, as Danny Ainge confirmed the guard has agreed to sign a contract with the Celtics. The team only features three players (by my count) that were on the Celtics before the 2007 trade (Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, and Kendrick Perkins), but according to Danny Ainge, those old teammates lobbied for the GM to take a look at West.

“There’s a familiarity with the roster and a familiarity with the players,” said Ainge. “Paul [Pierce] and Rajon [Rondo], especially, were big fans having played with him. I’m a fan of Delonte.”

The team was originally rumored to be interested in West in July.

If West makes the team, he must first serve a 10-game suspension after a guilty plea on weapons charges in the state of Maryland in July. He has a history of strange off-the-court issues, and suffers from bipolar disorder. If he can get his head straight, he should be a valuable asset when he’s eligible to return in home game against the Washington Wizards on Nov. 11.

Analysis

West is another low-risk, high-reward signing for the Celtics. He can play both point guard and shooting guard, has a 44% career field goal percentage, can hit threes, play solid defense, and has good size (6′4″) for his position.

So what if West missed the first 10 games? The Celtics can more than make up for his absence, and really don’t need him in October anyway. West will be valuable over the second half of the season while Doc Rivers looks for ways to rest Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and maybe even Rajon Rondo.

As long as West can stay away from players’ moms or Doc Rivers’ wife, then I think Danny Ainge and Celtics made another smart investment this offseason.

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Celtics, Featured.

Jon Lester entered Wednesday night’s start a perfect 12-0 against the Baltimore Orioles, so it looked like the Red Sox would be able to end their three-game losing streak and keep pace with the Yankees and Rays in an increasingly impossible push to the playoffs. But suddenly, Lester gave up a 1-0 lead by allowing four first inning runs, and after two innings the Red Sox were down 5-2.

Without Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, and Jacoby Ellsbury, the Red Sox lineup was dead in the water. Listening to the game on WEEI on the way home from work, I was thinking of clever ways to write the Red Sox season obituary. I was ready to dub this game the official nail in the coffin, with the Rays and Yankees both winning in their games (both teams did eventually win one-run decisions).

Much to my pleasant surprise, the Red Sox offense showed sudden life, pounding in six runs in the seventh inning to take a 9-5 lead. Marco Scutaro homered to tie the game at 5-5, Victor Martinez knocked in J.D. Drew with an RBI double to give the Sox the lead, and Adrian Beltre blasted a three-run shot to put the game out of reach. The Red Sox allowed a run in the eighth, but beat Baltimore 9-6 to end their losing streak.

In the end, Lester allowed five runs in six gutsy innings. He allowed eight hits and struck out 10 to earn his 13th win against zero defeats vs. the Orioles.

Despite the win, the Red Sox remained eight games behind the Yankees in the AL East and seven games behind the Rays in the Wild Card.

Sox Stud of the Game: Marco Scutaro

Scutaro made up for yet another error at short, and hit the game-tying two-run HR in the seventh inning. He was also the only Sox batter with two hits.

Sox Dud of the Game: Bill Hall

Hall pinch hit for Ryan Kalish, and finished 0-2 with two strikeouts.

Game Notes:

W: Jon Lester (15-8)
L: Mark Hendrickson (1-5)

• Daniel Bard allowed one run in two innings of work.
• J.D. Drew hit a solo HR in the fifth inning.
• The Orioles scored their four runs in the first on four hits, a HBP, and a wild pitch.

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Red Sox, Top Story.

Brandon Spikes does a great job of tackling tight ends — on and off the field.

On the field, the Patriots tape game footage (legally of course. We wouldn’t want another Spygate would we?) of their rookie linebacker and review that game footage to make him better.

Off the field, Spikes apparently taped a sexual encounter with a fine-looking woman in a hotel room while on the website Chatroulette.

One man offered to sell the video to Deadspin for $1,500, claiming he had the video and was willing to sell it. Deadspin declined, but the video appeared on the website WorldStarHipHop hours later. I have not included the link on purpose…but you can find what you’re looking for by searching ‘WorldStarHipHop + Brandon Spikes’ in Google.

My curiosity got the best of me, and I went looking for the video. It took a while to navigate WorldStarHipHop’s website due to the fact it’s loaded with ads. I browsed down to posts made on Aug. 30, and as long as you’re 18+ (or just acknowledge that you are), you get free access to the video. And…yes…it’s basically porn on webcam, with a man that looks just like Brandon Spikes, and a woman resembling Kim Kardashian (but it’s definitely not her, just a look-a-like).

Anyway, the NFL is now investigating the video of Spikes to see if it violates the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. Frankly, it just might, so I would imagine the rookie linebacker (who was probably slated to start) will miss some time due to a suspension (maybe one game?).

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Now!, Patriots, Video.

Marco Scutaro’s throw sailed into right field. Boston’s playoff hopes may have sailed away with it. Scutaro’s two-base error on a throw to second base in the third inning allowed the winning run to come home in the Baltimore Orioles’ 5-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Tuesday night at Camden Yards, the Orioles struck first. In the first inning, Nick Markakis hit a one-out double off Red Sox starter Josh Beckett, who came into the game 4-3 with a 6.50 ERA. In his previous start, Beckett pitched 6.1 innings against the Seattle Mariners, allowing three earned runs while striking out seven in a 5-3 win. Two batters after Markakis’s double, Luke Scott singled to right, driving him home. Beckett escaped further damage in the first inning and then enjoyed a 1-2-3 second.

Beckett’s (and later Scutaro’s) troubles began again in the third. Brian Roberts began the inning with a ten-pitch at-bat that ended in a single. He then took second on a wild pitch and went to third on a ground out. After Beckett walked Scott with two outs, Adam Jones hit a grounder to Scutaro. Scutaro fielded it cleanly, but then double-clutched before throwing to second for the force out. The throw sailed into right field and, by the time it was collected and thrown home, Scott came around to score from second base. The Orioles’ lead now sat at 3-0.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, could do nothing with lefty starter Brian Matusz. Matusz, who came into the game 6-12 with a 4.79 ERA, had won his previous start, giving up just one earned run to the Chicago White Sox in seven innings. The Red Sox, having managed just two hits off Matusz through the first four innings of Tuesday’s game, began to climb back in the fifth inning. Mike Lowell led off with a single. Two batters later, Jed Lowrie took a 3-1 offering to left field. It sailed into the bleachers, and the Red Sox were back to within one run. Unfortunately, that’s as close as they would get. Despite putting lead runners on in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, the Red Sox did not score again. Their best opportunity came in the seventh, when they had men on first and second base with no one out. Those runners were stranded after advancing exactly one base each.

The Orioles built some breathing room for themselves in the eighth inning. Scott and Felix Pie each homered to right off Felix Doubront, pushing the lead back up to three. It did not prove necessary. Koji Uehara, despite having been used four times since August 21, set down the final five Red Sox batters in order for his fifth save of the season. It was his fifth in ten days, and he needed just 21 pitches (17 of which were strikes) to record the 5-out save. Matusz, who went six innings, allowed two earned runs, and struck out six, picked up his seventh win of the season. Beckett suffered his fourth loss and fell back to .500, despite lowering his ERA to 6.21.

Red Sox at the Plate

The strongest offensive performance of the night came from Jed Lowrie. He went 2-3 for the night with his two-run home run. Lowrie continues to show flashes of brilliance, but what’s holding him back is his inability to stay healthy. He might someday be the starting shortstop for the Boston Red Sox, but he has to stay healthy long enough to prove he deserves the role. Victor Martinez also went 2-4 for the night. Nights like this make us think back to two months ago, and how much offense his injury might have cost the Red Sox since then. No other player had a particularly strong night, a scattering of 0-4’s, 1-4’s, and 1-3’s. David Ortiz deserves special mention, but not for good reasons. On Tuesday night, Ortiz went 0-4 with three strikeouts. In his last two games, he is 0-8 with 5 strikeouts. He may be feeling like he has to carry the Red Sox offense, and this is causing him to press harder and not see the ball as clearly. Whatever the cause, the Red Sox can ill afford a slump from one of their best hitters.

Red Sox on the Mound

If the team wasn’t struggling so much offensively, Beckett’s performance Tuesday night would’ve been adequate. Seven innings of two earned-run ball is usually enough to cement a win for the Boston Red Sox. Unfortunately, the Red Sox aren’t scoring right now. So Beckett’s performance, while good, just wasn’t good enough. To be a staff ace, you have to be able to pitch beyond your team’s need. Beckett can’t do that this year. He may still be a good pitcher, and he might be better in future seasons (statistically, odd-numbered years are better for Beckett then even-numbered years since joining the Red Sox), but he’s definitely not an ace. Matched up against a third or fourth starter, Beckett can probably be effective enough to earn wins. But against an ace or second starter, given Boston’s current offensive problems, Beckett may not have the stuff this year to win with consistency. Some juggling of the rotation may be necessary.

Felix Doubront, meanwhile, has been off-and-on, just as he’s moved up from AAA Pawtucket and back down again. These were actually hist first earned runs allowed in over two weeks. He was on a solid pitching streak that included two saves and a one-point drop in his ERA. With this mis-step, his streak ends. Given a full year in the majors, Doubront will likely prove to be an adequate reliever. Maybe never an elite pitcher, but certainly a solid, contributing member of a winning team’s relief corps. Whether or not that team is the Boston Red Sox remains to be seen.

Mounting Frustrations

You can see the looks on the players’ faces and in their reactions. Beckett allowed a two-out single and stormed into the dugout. Lowell struck out with two men on and threw his bat in disgust. Ortiz struck out, again, and walked away shame-faced and angry. The Red Sox are starting to feel that no matter what they do they can’t seem to win. Being professionals, this causes them to try harder, to press themselves, only to walk away with the same lack of success. This is resulting in losses now, but it may add up to wins later. When teams play poorly for a long time, they tend to eventually take their frustrations out on another team. Usually this manifests as a lopsided victory, often times by as many as ten or more runs. With the hitters this team has, that is not beyond the realm of possibility. This frustration can also manifest in a brawl, starting with a lonesome beaning that causes a retaliation. This is soon followed by the team pouring out of the dugout and rushing the mound and/or opposing teammates. With nine games left against the Rays and Yankees, this is also a strong possibility. One way or another, Boston fans should get some fun games sometime soon. They may not add up to a playoff berth, but at least everyone will feel a little better. If only for a bit.

© Matt Goisman for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Red Sox, Top Story.

If you thought the Patriots defense was bad, look out: it’s about to get a whole lot worse. The Patriots surprisingly placed No. 1 cornerback Leigh Bodden on season-ending injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Bodden’s injury comes just two days before the team’s final preseason game, and less than two weeks before the regular season.

Bodden had missed most of the preseason with a knee injury, but returned to play the Rams in his first game action last week.

“Overwhelmed with the love from every1! Y’all kno imma bounce back.. I’ve been hitting bumps my whole career…& always seem to get past’m,” Bodden told his Twitter followers.

Bodden may be back, as he just signed a four-year deal worth $22 million in March ($10 million guaranteed).

The corner’s injury means that a young, unproven secondary will need to prove themselves. Darius Butler, Jonathan Wilhite, Devin McCourty, and Terrence Wheatley will be expected to fill in, and hopefully they can all mature very quick.

If the Patriots don’t fill in the need via trade or a veteran free agent, this could be a defense that allows a lot of points, especially considering the No. 1 receivers they’re squaring off against this year: Chad Ochocino, Braylon Edwards (Twice), Lee Evans (Twice), Brandon Marshall (Twice), Anquan Boldin, Reggie Wayne, Calvin Johnson, and Greg Jennings, among others. Yikes.

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Patriots.

It’s amazing how quickly things turn around. A week ago, the Red Sox made a bold move in claiming Johnny Damon off waivers in an effort to add outfield help as the Sox pushed toward the playoffs. Johnny Damon said “Screw You” to Theo Epstein in not so many words, and the Red Sox arrived in Tampa as they have at every ballpark all season: shorthanded. After the Red Sox won Game 1, they were just 4.5 games back, and many started thinking a playoff run was possible.

Then, the Red Sox blew two consecutive games, fell seven games back in the division, and realized a playoff spot may not be that realistic.

With the waiver trade deadline looming, the Red Sox parted ways with one of their good soldiers in the bullpen, Manny Delcarmen, sending him to the Rockies for a minor league pitcher. The “Pride of Hyde Park” fell on hard times this season after a forearm injury, and ended up with a 4.70 ERA over 48 games. He allowed single runs in three of his final four appearances, and over the last two seasons, the righty had a 4.60 ERA after two consecutive strong seasons (2.05 ERA in 2007 and a 3.27 ERA in 2008).

“Manny had a nice career with us,” said Epstein. “I think there were times when he had it all working, a mid-90s fastball with good finish in the zone, a plus changeup that’s his bread and butter, and at times a really good curveball.”

In return, the Red Sox acquired Single-A pitcher Chris Balcom-Miller, a player who the Red Sox nearly drafted last year, according to Epstein. Balcom-Miller was 6-7 with a 3.31 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 19 starts for the Rockies’ Single-A affiliate.

“He has a good fastball with sink, and a plus changeup as an amateur,” Epstein said. “We just saw him again this year and he now has a plus slider. He has the potential to have three average to above [average] pitches. He’s a guy who keeps the ball on the ground, is a plus strike thrower and gets swings and misses.”

In the long run, this trade should benefit the Red Sox, but it’s a pretty clear sign that the Red Sox are waiving the white flag a big this year.

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Red Sox, Top Story.

Today I bring you the eighth and final installment of our divisional fantasy previews, finishing up with the wild NFC West.

For the last few seasons, it’s been the Arizona Cardinals who have had a strangle hold on the top spot in this division, two years ago advancing to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Before the Cards held all the cards, it was Seattle who had a nice run of it for a couple of years, while Matt Hasselbeck was in his prime and Shaun Alexander was putting up MVP-caliber seasons. And way back, and I’m talking like new millennium way back, it was the high flying Rams who owned the throne, during their “Greatest Show on Turf” days.

Now the question is, are you on a new bandwagon this season? The bandwagon that seems to be busting at the seams? The bandwagon of the new sheriff in town? I speak of course, of the team that hasn’t been mentioned yet in this article… this year’s sexiest playoff pick… the San Francisco 49ers.

The Niners made some impressive strides in the ‘09 season, led by the emergence of QB Alex Smith, their #1 overall draft pick from back in ‘05. If Frank Gore can remain healthy and Michael Crabtree can break out as a top receiver, there’s no reason why San Fran can’t live up to their preseason hype.

Let’s now dive in and take a closer look at the Niners and their NFC West neighbors.

Team Profiles

Arizona Cardinals

After years with Kurt Warner at the helm, the Cardinals will turn the keys to the offense back to former USC standout Matt Leinart for 2010. Leinart last acted as the team’s starter back in 2006, when he was 4-7 in 11 starts. Leinart wasn’t done any favors this past off-season, as the Cards’ front office sent one of the team’s top receivers, Anquan Boldin, to the other side of the country in Baltimore. But that doesn’t mean all of Leinart’s fantasy value is lost. He still has one of the league’s top talents at WR, with Larry Fitzgerald poised to haul in another 100+ balls this season, along with super sleeper pick Steve Breaston and late round flier pick Early Doucet. Fitzy will be gone by the end of the second round of your draft, and Leinart isn’t a bad option for your backup QB spot, especially with the weak schedule he’ll face.

The ground game for ‘Zona will feature a balanced attack this season, with sophomore rusher Beanie Wells likely getting the majority of carries over Tim Hightower, but Hightower still will get a lot of touches as a receiver out of the backfield. Wells is considered by most as a top 20 running back, with Hightower a very solid middle round selection. The addition of guard Alan Faneca will surely help open some holes for this pair of guys as well.

San Francisco 49ers

Maybe I’m just easy to fool, but call me a believer in the 49ers hype machine. I’m big on RB Frank Gore this year, despite his wavering health year after year. With Glen Coffee’s sudden retirement after just a year in the league, San Fran turned to veteran Brian Westbrook, bringing him into camp a few weeks ago to back up their stud rusher. If Westbrook poses the only challenge to Gore’s workload, look for Gore to get at least 325-350 touches this season, barring any injuries.

The aerial attack is much improved as well, with the Niners finally featuring an entrenched starter in Alex Smith. Smith will enter a contract year this season, giving him even more incentive to shine for San Fran. This may sound crazy, but if you opt against the top tier of QBs (Rodgers, Brees, P. Manning, & Brady), and you don’t act quick enough on the second tier guys (Rivers, Schaub, Romo, Favre, Flacco, Cutler), I have no problem rolling the dice and taking my chances with Alex Smith as a low-end fantasy starting QB this year. If you do go this route, just be sure to have a solid second option, like a Roethlisberger, Palmer, or Henne. You probably won’t find any other fantasy geek on the web that’s higher on Smith than I am.

Smith has a few solid weapons to target in the Niners passing game, led by breakout candidate Michael Crabtree. Crabtree was a holdout during last year’s preseason, which made his rookie year a little disjointed as he struggled to get into the flow of the offense until mid-season. But with a full year of NFL experience under his belt now, Crabtree is poised to deliver a huge sophomore campaign. The other San Fran starting receiver ain’t half bad either, with Josh Morgan entering his third NFL season, which is generally when receivers tend to hit their stride. The Niners also brought in ex-Dolphin Ted Ginn Jr. for added depth at the position. Adding to this trio, tight end Vernon Davis is coming off a year where he led all NFL tight ends with 13 TDs. Crabtree can be drafted anywhere between the fourth and sixth round, with Morgan acting as a great middle-round depth pick. Davis is considered an elite option at the TE spot, in the same class as Dallas Clark and Antonio Gates. I’m not entirely sure I’m that high on Davis, but he’s definitely a fantasy starter at the position.

Seattle Seahawks

Former USC head honcho Pete Carroll heads back to the NFL this season to A) coach the Seahawks, and B) avoid the firestorm of trouble surrounding the USC athletic program. The team he inherits doesn’t exactly light the world on fire, but there are some talents here worth highlighting.

The first of which is running back Justin Forsett. Forsett is easily the most talented Seahawk at the skill positions, even if his workload really hasn’t ramped up yet. He only had 114 carries last season, but his 5.4 yards per carry, along with 41 catches in the passing game, are what impresses fantasyheads most. Julius Jones provides Forsett the only real competition at the position, with new addition Leon Washington and depth back Quinton Ganther both not really providing much in fantasy value. Jones could be considered draft worthy in the later rounds.

Veteran Matt Hasselbeck remains under center for another year in Seattle, but young backup Charlie Whitehurst could push Hasselbeck for that starting job if the vet falters. Neither guy has real fantasy value, either way. They’ll throw to a batch of underwhelming receivers, with T.J. Houshmanzadeh headlining the crop. “Housh” is aiming to come back from a year that saw him put up lows in catches (79), yardage (911), and TDs (3) since his 2004 season. Behind T.J. on the depth chart is young rookie Golden Tate, who has a ton of upside, especially for you folks in keeper leagues, and former Patriot Deion Branch, who has seen better days, to put it mildly. Tight end John Carlson will play a part on the passing game as well, but I have to believe the Seahawks will look to throw down the field more often than dumping it off to Carlson, especially with how much I’m expecting them to play from behind most weeks.

St. Louis Rams

The story of the St. Louis Rams starts and ends with just one name: Stephen Jackson. Beyond Jackson, your fantasy league seriously may not see any other Rams be drafted.

Jackson, who is considered a top 10 RB by every expert under the sun, will shoulder a heavy workload this upcoming season, helping the offense through the growing pains of working in a rookie QB. Sam Bradford, the team’s top overall pick this past spring, will be under center from the opening snap, ready to learn on the job and take his lumps as the St. Louis starter. He’ll have Jackson to dump the ball off to in short yardage situations, but otherwise the Rams’ receivers are a rag-tag group of no-names. Laurent Robinson is likely considered the most talented option at WR with Donnie Avery out for the entire 2010 season and rookie Mardy Gilyard will get his share of looks. I can see some of you taking a late-round chance on Robinson, but really, you’re better off going after a #3 receiver on a more talented team instead.

Top 5 NFC West Studs (Players Worth Early Picks)

• Stephen Jackson, RB St. Louis
• Frank Gore, RB San Francisco
• Larry Fitzgerald, WR Arizona
• Beanie Wells, RB Arizona
• Justin Forsett, RB Seattle

Top 5 NFC West Duds (Players I Think Will Flop)

• Vernon Davis, TE San Francisco
• Julius Jones, RB Seattle
• Matt Hasselbeck, QB Seattle
• Sam Bradford, QB St. Louis
• John Carlson, TE Seattle

Top 5 NFC West Sleepers (Players Whose Value Will Increase)

• Alex Smith, QB San Francisco
• Tim Hightower, RB Arizona
• Golden Tate, WR Seattle
• Steve Breaston, WR Arizona
• Josh Morgan, WR San Francisco

© Brian Kintz for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Fantasy, Featured.

The Rays and Yankees are still tied with 31 games to go; the Red Sox are 7.0 games back. The Cardinals (and pretty much the Giants) have seemingly died. The Padres have too, but they still had a huge division lead built up to eat the blow. And assuming Manny doesn’t help the White Sox all too much and Lincecum stays funky, the playoff teams are pretty much in there.

Once more, the top eight teams were in the previous rankings, and the bottom two are new appearances. The biggest move of any team was three spots, followed by four movements of two spots. And as you might expect, the top two spots were easily retained.

As usual, teams get 10 points for a first place vote, then nine points for a second, and so on. Ties are broken based on who received the most first place votes, then the most second, and so on. The second tiebreaker is position in the previous rankings.

With just a month left in the season, we’ll also be giving our thoughts on what the Red Sox need to do to get back in the playoff race.

Table Legend

• A number in parentheses before a team name indicates the number of first place votes received.
• A number in parentheses after a team name indicates total points received.

How Can the Red Sox Make the Playoffs?

John – That ship sailed a long time ago.

Obviously, the key would be to do well against the Rays (three games remaining) and Yankees (six games remaining). The Sox also face the Orioles, who have been a thorn in their side, six more times. With only Buchholz and Lester having a shred of talent amongst the starters, and the bullpen not faring better (worse even), and Buchholz throwing balls away, the Red Sox were all but mathematically eliminated months ago.

KC – Sweep the two best teams.

To get in to the playoffs, the Red Sox need to win out against the Rays and Yankees. As we saw over the weekend, it’s possible (though highly unlikely) as long as the bullpen can hold itself together. It’s unfortunate. If the Red Sox didn’t have so many injuries, this team probably would be leading the division. Yeah I said it.

© John for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Now!, Opinion, Red Sox.

Have you ever said something so much you believed it? Like that time you told your parents you got a B+ on that algebra test when you failed it? Then, when you got your grade at the end of the term, you were surprised to see that you had a C in the course despite all B’s (and really one F)? Sound familiar?

That’s the kind of situation former Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens finds himself in. Despite an enormous amount of circumstantial evidence, reported DNA evidence, and tremendous witness testimony from Brian McNamee, Andy Pettitte, Chuck Knoblauch, and others, Clemens seems convinced that he’s absolutely correct. Just ask him. He didn’t take steroids or HGH.

Well, Roger tried using that strategy with the government, and it has him in a heap of legal trouble. Facing years in prison and a fine of more than $1 million, Clemens defiantly told a federal judge on Monday, ” Not guilty, your honor.” Now, he must wait for an April 4, 2011 trial.

There’s also the chance that Roger’s trial will coincide with the perjury trial against former Giants outfielder Barry Bonds, which is set to begin March 21, 2011. The two faces of the Steroid Era will go one-on-one with the U.S. Government within one month of each other.

Do you think Roger will be found guilty or non-guilty?

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Red Sox, Top Story.

We’re heading into the final stretch of the fantasy regular season. Where do you stand? Ouch, those crickets I hear can’t be a good sign. I may have just finished my first fantasy football draft of the year just yesterday, but I am still fully focused on baseball. I am just on the cusp of the playoffs in one league and I am going to need some lady luck to make it in.

Injuries

Stephen Strasburg (SP), Washington Nationals

The prodigal son is down. Strasburg, the biggest draw in Washington, is going to have to undergo Tommy John surgery and is out for the rest of 2010 and probably all of 2011.

Mike Leake (SP), Cincinnati Reds

The rookie was enjoying a nice season until his last start where he allowed 6 ER in just 0.1 IP. He was diagnosed with shoulder fatigue and put on the DL. The Reds expect him back before the end of the season.

J.J. Putz (RP), Chicago White Sox

From April ’til the start of August, Putz had allowed just 8 ER all season. He has allowed 6 ER in August alone. Something had to be amiss and as it turns out, Putz was hiding a knee injury and it has landed him on the DL.

Catcher

Rod Barajas, L.A. Dodgers

What a debut with his new team! Barajas was acquired last week after the Dodgers learned Russell Martin was done for the year. In his first four games with the team, Barajas cranked out 2 HR and and 5 RBI on 6/13 hitting.

Others

• John Jaso (TB): 7/17, 2 R, 1 HR, 5 RBI
• Ryan Doumit (PIT): 7/17, 3 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI
• Gerald Laird (DET): 4/14, 1 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI

First Base

Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies

He still has some miles left on him. Helton is enjoying a great August with a line of .309, 4 HR, and 10 RBI. His current clip of 10/24, 5 R, 2 HR, and 5 RBI point to Helton being an underrated source of offense in the final weeks.

Others

• Michael Morse (WAS): 9/19, 6 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI
• Daric Barton (OAK): 6/21, 7 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI
• Logan Morrison (FLA): 8/25, 9 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI

Second Base

Ryan Raburn, Detroit Tigers

Raburn is as hot as they come right now. In the past week, he has gone 12/29 with 9 R, 3 HR, and 9 RBI. He has hit 8 home runs and driven in 21 RBI in August.

Others

• Freddy Sanchez (SF): 15/24, 6 R, 1 HR, 6 RBI
• Neil Walker (PIT): 9/26, 3 R, 2 HR, 9 RBI
• Gordon Beckham (CWS): 6/19, 4 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI

Third Base

Kevin Kouzmanoff, Oakland A’s

Kouzmanoff hasn’t been exciting to watch this year, but we can take comfort in knowing that he has warmed up recently with a 9/20 week to go with 2 HR, 8 RBI, and a stolen base.

Others

• Jhonny Peralta (DET): 9/21, 6 R, 1 HR, 7 RBI
• Casey Blake (LAD): 7/21, 3 R, 2 HR, 7 RBI
• Eduardo Nunez (NYM): 6/19, 2 R, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 1 SB

Shortstop

Stephen Drew, Arizona Diamondbacks

What has gotten into Drew? He was important to the fantasy world two seasons ago, but he has since floundered terribly. If last week’s 14/28, 10 R, 4 HR, 9 RBI explosion is an indicator of a resurgence, then sign me up. By the way: 8 HR and 19 RBI in August.

Others

• Jason Donald (CLE): 8/18, 5 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI
• Juan Uribe (SF): 6/25, 4 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI
• Ryan Theriot (LAD): 10/26, 5 R, 3 RBI

Outfield

Marcus Thames, New York Yankees

Brought into the Bronx to face lefties, Thames had the best power week out of any player as he launched an obscene 5 HR as part of his 8/17 week that included 6 R and 8 RBI.

Others

• Jose Tabata (PIT): 11/25, 4 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 SB
• Rajai Davis (OAK): 8/19, 5 R, 3 SB
• Jay Bruce (CIN): 7/17, 4 R, 4 HR, 6 RBI

Pitchers

Brandon Lyon, Houston Astros

Lyon has converted seven straight save opportunities in which time he has not allowed a run in his last 10 innings.

Others

• Brett Myers (HOU): 2-0, 14.0 IP, 15 K, 1.29 ERA
• Brandon Morrow (TOR): 1-0, 12.0 IP, 21 K, 2.25 ERA
• Joe Blanton (PHI): 1-0, 13.0 IP, 12 K, 1.38 ERA

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