LA’s Paul Pierce over on the other side

Posted by Jimmy Golen, AP Sports Writer May 31, 2008 at 7:02 pm Paul Pierce grew up in Los Angeles watching the Lakers play the Celtics for NBA titles. Now he's the captain of the Boston team that is back in the finals for the first time since losing to the Lakers in 1987.

Sox move Thursday night starting time to 6:05 p.m.

Posted by Projo SoxBlog May 31, 2008 at 7:00 pm

Because Game One of the NBA Finals will be tipping off shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday night, the Red Sox have changed the starting time of their home game that evening, against the Rays, from 7:05 to 6:05 p.m.

Most baseball games last around three hours, so the Sox game should be over by the time the Celtics' game begins.

"We have decided to start our game on Thursday one hour earlier in order that fans may enjoy not only Red Sox baseball but also Game 1 of the NBA Finals," club president/CEO Larry Lucchino said in a statement released by the team early Saturday evening. "On behalf of everyone in our organization, I want to congratulate the Boston Celtics on their Eastern Conference Championship, and we will be rooting for them in their quest to bring another World Title to the fans of Boston and New England."

The Sox also have home games on the same days as Games Two, Three and Four. There should be no conflict for Game Two, on Sunday, June 8 -- the Sox' game against the Mariners is scheduled to begin at 1:35 p.m., while the Celtics and Lakers again won't play until 9 -- but they will be facing the same situation for Games Three and Four. On both nights (Tuesday, June 10, and Thursday, June 12) they're scheduled to play the Orioles at 7:05 at Fenway and the Celts and Lakers will play in Los Angeles at 9 Eastern time. It will be interesting to see if they switch the starting times of those games, as well.

The Sox are on the road when the Celtics are playing Games Five, Six and Seven, and thus will have no control over their starting times.

Red Sox option Buchholz to Pawtucket

Posted by Ian Browne May 31, 2008 at 6:47 pm A day after Clay Buchholz made his second Minor League rehab start, the Red Sox informed him that he will stay at Triple-A -- at least for now. Buchholz, who began the season in the Boston rotation and stayed there until suffering a broken nail on his right middle finger on May 12, was activated from the disabled list and then optioned to Pawtucket.

Tonight’s lineups:

Posted by Projo SoxBlog May 31, 2008 at 6:34 pm

BOSTON

Ellsbury, rf
Pedroia, 2b
Ortiz, dh
Ramirez, lf
Lowell, 3b
Youkilis, 1b
Varitek, c
Crisp, cf
Lugo, ss
Lester, sp

BALTIMORE

Roberts, 2b
Markakis, rf
Mora, 3b
Millar, 1b
Huff, dh
Hernandez, c
Payton, lf
Jones, cf
Cintron, ss
Olson, sp

Game time change

Posted by Extra Bases May 31, 2008 at 6:23 pm

BALTIMORE - The game on June 5th on Fenway between Boston and Tampa Bay has been changed from 7:05 to 6:05 p.m. to help out the conflict with the Celtics NBA finals against the Lakers that night.

Pregame notes: Dice-K talks

Posted by Projo SoxBlog May 31, 2008 at 6:15 pm

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

BALTIMORE -- Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka met with the local and international media just a few minutes ago and assured everyone he's fine.

The right-hander was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Friday with a mild rotator-cuff strain. He was removed from his last start in the fifth inning last Tuesday in Seattle. While the Red Sox traveled here Thursday, Dice-K returned to Boston where he underwent an MRI Friday morning.

He rejoined the team here Friday night and was working out at Camden Yards today. He admitted he wasn't too concerned with his shoulder, but was glad to know everything is fine after the testing.

"I know everybody on the team is tired," he said. "Even though I might feel okay, the club has told me to take this time and rest up and heal. Even though I appreciate the rest and protection I'm getting, I do feel bad I'm the only one getting rest at this time."

Matsuzaka is 8-0 this season, but he doesn't want to dwell on this setback too much.

"Dwelling on it won't help me heal any faster," he said. "It's too bad that no matter how hard I work out right now, it won't affect the outcome of the game. I'm going to treat this like a mini-camp."

Buchholz optioned to Pawtucket

Posted by Extra Bases May 31, 2008 at 6:00 pm

BALTIMORE - Clay Buchholz was removed from the 15-day disabled list and optioned to Pawtucket. Buchholz had been on a rehab assignment with a ripped finger nail on his right middle finger. With Bartolo Colon pitching well, the Sox will likely give Buchholz a little more seasoning.

Terry Francona, Theo Epstein, Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson and John Farrell held a conference call with Buchholz to map out plans for the young righty.

Pregame notes: Buchholz optioned to Pawtucket

Posted by Projo SoxBlog May 31, 2008 at 5:57 pm

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

BALTIMORE -- Pitcher Clay Buchholz has been reinstated from the disabled list and optioned to Pawtucket.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona made the announcement earlier today. The Sox held a conference call with Buchholz, GM Theo Epstein, Francona, pitching coach John Farrell and PawSox manager Ron Johnson.

"We just want to make sure he understood what we're trying to do," said Francona. "We're trying to take out the [element] of him concerning about the linescore. He can go be consistent and pound the strike zone with his fastball. He can work on his arm slot and things like that."

Buchholz finished spring training strong and made the rotation out of camp. The Red Sox didn't want him to think this was some kind of demotion. This will be a chance from the young right-hander to continue to hone his skills without any added pressure at this point.

"There were some things that needed to be worked on," said Francona. "This is probably the best opportunity to do it."

One of the main things, according to Francona, was Buchholz's ability to be consistent with his fastball.

"His off-speed stuff is probably as good as anybody's in the game," said the manager. "Again, some times you just need a little more time to finish up what you're doing. We'll continue to monitor it, because of how important he is to where we're going."

4 Wins Away From Glory

Posted by Mike Giardi May 31, 2008 at 5:55 pm

Quick thoughts on what I just saw from the Celtics and questions I have on the series ahead.

1. Rajon Rondo is driving me nuts. His inconsistencies are not just game-to-game, but possession to possession. I’m on record as saying he’s the C’s most important player. He sets the tone defensively, and he’s responsible for getting this team moving offensively. But there have been too many times this postseason that the Green team is grinding to a halt in the halfcourt…and how can you put it on anyone else but Rondo? Take charge and finish this run off!

2. I’m an unabashed Kendrick Perkins fan. Man works like a kid forced to pay his way through college. Those lumbering legs never stop moving, and he made an indelible mark in the Pistons series. That 18-point, 16-rebound, 2 block performance in Game 5 goes to the head of his resume. but there are so many subtle things he does defensively. I’m assuming he gets Paul Gasol in the Finals. A difficult challenge, but if Perk is allowed to body Gasol, he could slow the Lakers gifted center (who’s really a power forward).

3. The C’s bench didn’t have big numbers in Game 6 versus Detroit. But their contribution was huge. I don’t want to get too simplistic on you, because are so many factors that go into winning, but when the bench plays well, the C’s have won in these playoffs.

3a. On that note, does Leon Powe reemerge in this series, or is it too late for him? They could use a little offense on the second unit, and if Cassell isn’t hitting jumpers, Powe seems to be the obvious choice.

4. If Phil Jackson pilots L.A. to a title, he’ll break Red Auerbach’s record of 10. Now there aren’t too many players on this current C’s team who got to spend any considerable time around Red, but man, they gotta do it for the old coach. You know he’s looking down, chomping on that stinky cigar, probably cursing at the refs. He is the Celtics. And it would be nice to deny a somewhat smarmy Jackson of that honor, even if he gets it eventually.

5. Do you just let Kobe get his, and focus on shutting down the solid supporting cast? I mean, I’m not suggesting you single Kobe up and let him torture you 1-on-1, because if you do that, he’ll beat Ray Allen and James Posey and whoever else tries to “D” him up off the dribble, and your big men will be in foul trouble from the word “go.” But if you devote too many resources to him, the Lakers have far more talent than LeBron had alongside. In other words, the Cavs took the C’s 7. If the C’s play the Lakers that way, they’ll get taken out.

6. Be prepared to hate Sasha Vujacic. The floppy-haired guard is a certifiable pain-in-the-butt. Also be prepared for me to butcher his name. Hey, you gotta know your strengths and weaknesses. That name will be on the negative side of the ledger.

7. Is it Thursday yet?

Dice-K begins strength program

Posted by Extra Bases May 31, 2008 at 5:50 pm

BALTIMORE - Daisuke Matsuzaka has begun his shoulder strengthening program which he hopes will get him back in business by the time he comes off the DL on June 14.

The Sox starter seemed to feel guilty that he was on the DL and not contributing.

"Even though I might feel OK, the club has told me to rest up. I do feel bad being the only one getting rest on this team...dwelling on that isn't going to help me heal. I'm going to treat this as a mini-camp..."

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