Miley Serious

(Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Wade Throws Shade on Gray, A's

Boston 2, Oakland 0 | Upset of the Year, Miley Lets A's Get Close But No Cigar
High 5.60: Miley Gets ERA Below Deep 6
Oakland Goes 0-13 With RISP
Sox Bats Quiet Again

"Houdini." -- Wade Miley on getting out of Oakland with a win

Mookie Being Hanley

(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

Best Betts Steps Up To Get Sox Off the Schneid

Mookie 2, Rays 0 | Betts Makes Everyone Forget About Problems for a Day
John Henry Must Have Provided the Spark With His Talk
The 37 People Who Remember the '75 Team Enjoyed the Evening
Porcello Silences Those Who Wanted New Star Wars Rotation
We Aren't Saying A Word About Mike Napoli and His 5 Extra Base Hits On Season
Stop the Presses: Allen Craig Got Another Hit
More Good News: 2:26 Game
Welcome Back Koji

"I think we just needed a win." -- Mookie Betts, keeps things simple

Chewbacca's The Ace

(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

May the 4th Place Be With You
Red Sox Ravamp Pitching Staff in Wake of Free-Fall in AL East

New Rotation Goes Into Effect Tonight: 1. Chewbacca, 2. Darth Vader, 3. Boba Fett, 4. Luke Skywalker, and 5. Obi Wan Kenobi
'Now, I Think We've Got Five No. 1's.' -- Sincerely, John Farrell
Kelly's Roast Toast, It's Sweep Caroline at Fenway, Circa 2006
Ellsbury 'Should Have Stolen Two' Snaps Back at Mujica in Ker Plunkapalooza
Yankees Han Solo in First Place

"You throw one up and in and at 3-0 you come at me. I don�t really care what they�re trying to do over there, but I just took my base and let them know I didn�t appreciate it. I don�t need to get thrown out. I realize my importance to my team. It didn�t hurt anyways. I should have stolen two bases off of him." -- Jacoby Wan Kenobi

Bad Clay at the Office

(Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)

The So-Called Ace Was a Disgrace Last Night

Toronto 11, Boston 8 | Jays Pound Clay
Clay's ERA: 5.76; Opponents Batting .444 With Runners in Scoring Position
'You've Got Your No. 1' -- John Henry on Clay Buchholz After Opener
Cafardo: As Bad as Buchholz Was, Don't Expect Change Soon
At Least Edward Mujica Looks Like He Could Replace Koji
Any Chance Clay Can Come Up with a Stiff Neck Today?
Breaking: Red Sox Gray 'I'm the Ace' T-Shirt Is Missing!
And Speeding Up the Game Took Four Hours

"Whenever your team gives you a four-run lead you're supposed to come out a lot better than that. Went out there with a game plan of throwing strikes, let them put the ball in play and get outs. Walked the first guy. All the contact that they made � they hit the ball hard and it wasn�t at any of our players in the field. I have to do a lot better job than that." -- Clay 'Captain Obvious' Buchholz

"The light goes on for most guys, or you click and figure it out, or it�s something you never get. He�s not going to be a 1, that�s just not going to happen. It�s not part of his makeup." -- Curt Schilling crushes Clay on WEEI

One and Done

(Brian Blanco / Getty Images)

Mookie's Smooth Hard Slide Gets the Run In

Boston 1, Tampa Bay 0 | No One Saw The Sox Winning 1-0 Games
Betts Barrels Into Second, Breaks Up Double Play, Winning Run Scores
Wade Makes the Grade: Miley Makes It Into 6th Pitching Shutout
'Pen Is Mightier: Boston Bullpen Battens Down the Hatches
Caveat: Rays Lineup Makes Phillies Look Like '27 Yankees
Red Hot Holt's Gotta Play Over Vic Right Now, Right?
0-for-12 With RISP, But Score 19th Unearned Run
Hat Tip to Hanigan

"It�s things we've talked about. That was my chance to put it into play. Nothing dirty, just trying to break up the double play and it worked out that time." -- Mookie Betts, hitting on the Mendoza line, but still playing hard

Sox Need to Make a Cole-Blooded Move

(Greg Flume / Getty Images)

It's Hamels Time

Red Sox Starting Rotation an Early Cause for Concern
Rosenthal: Phillies Need to Trade Hamels to Red Sox
Don't Want to Give Up Hall of Famer Mookie Betts?
OK, Here's Some Great Options for Philly...
Manuel Margot Creating Buzz at Single A Salem
Brian Johnson Finding the Strike Zone in Pawtucket
Deven Marrero, Now More Aggressive at Plate
Big Bryce Brentz Hits Monster Walkoff Homer
Hey Philly, Brock Star Holt's Batting Over .500!
Blake Swihart Pushes PawSox Past IronPigs

"... if Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is indeed serious about trading Hamels, he eventually will need to stop dithering and take his best shot." -- Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports

Buch Stopped Here

(Elsa / Getty Images)

Is the Red Sox Rotation of Aces Really Just a House of Cards?

New York 14, Boston 4 | Bronx Bombing Stops Sweep Talk
So Mookie Betts Is Hitting .192 with 2 Walks, But It's Early Right?
So Since the Two Homers, Comeback Kid Pedroia Has a Double to His Name
Do The Sox Need to Take Advantage of Another Red Hot Brock Holt?
Can We Get Rusney Castillo Up Here Already? Vic Batting .125
Is Pablo Sandoval Going to Hit Nothing But Singles All Year?
Everyone Can Rest Easy, Mike Napoli Got a Hit
David Ortiz Is More Than the Face of the Red Sox

"Felt good with all of my pitches. The command was a little off at first but after that I felt really good." -- Clay Buchholz, who gave up 9 earned runs on 9 hits in 3.1 innings.

Pressure's On Porcello

(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

The Highest Paid Pitcher In Red Sox History
Is In a Must-Win Situation Tonight

When You Sign for Over $20 Million Per Year, You Have to Win Your Next Start
Good News Is That Porcello Is Facing the PhiladelphiAAA Phillies
ProJo: Why Did the Red Sox Pay Rick Porcello So Much?
Porcello's 13.1 fWAR Since 2009 Ranks 44th Among MLB Starters
Calculated Risks: Weighing Porcello's Contract vs. Other Red Sox Pitchers
Porcello Has 1-1 Record, 2.84 ERA In Last Three First Starts

"It�s not rocket science, just go out there and give them a solid start every fifth day.� -- Rick Porcello, the $82.5 Million Man

Hanley Being Hanley

(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

HanRam Slam Leads Red Sox in Romp of Phillies for Openers

Grand Opening: Boston 8, Philadelphia 0 | Feat of Clay: Buchholz Comes Up Aces
The Power Is Back On In Left: Hanley Ramirez Belts Homer, Grand Slam, 5 RBIs
(Ted, Yaz, Rice, Troy, Mike, and Manny Approve)
Welcome Back Dustin Pedroia...
(We'll Find Out Next February That He Got Hurt on His Home Run Trot)
Mookie Being Mookie: Betts Takes First Steps to Hall of Fame with Homer in Game 1
While You Are Reading This, David Ortiz Is Still Hugging Ryan Howard
Allen Craig Just Batting 1.000, That's All
Pablo Sandoval Looked Good, No?
Cole Hamels, 7.20 ERA, All Set

"This is how I planned it in my head. Everybody's opinion about the rotation outside the clubhouse is different than what's in here." -- Clay Buchholz, Ace of the Red Sox pitching staff

Lesterrible!

(Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)

$155 Million Doesn't Get You Out of the 5th Inning

Cards Slap Lester Around in Opener
NL Scouting Report: Run on Lester, Keep Running, Run Again
The Red Sox Easily Have 5 Aces That Can Go At Least 5
At Least Jon Had a Place to Go to the Bathroom, Theo
Same Old Cubs. Sincerely, Rex Ryan
Kris Bryant, Anyone?

"Not much was working. It was a little bit of a grind from the get-go. A lot of balls up in the zone. Just wasn�t real sharp." -- Jon Lester, 0-1

"Frustrating night for him on a number of levels as Lester is done" #redsox #ace https://t.co/7xZLK4qTnB

— Steve Silva (@stevesilva) April 6, 2015

RED SOX PAY PRICE TO ADD AN ACE

(AP)

B D D   E X C L U S I V E:

Red Sox Acquire Tigers Ace David Price to Bolster Rotation

Mookie Betts, Blake Swihart, Henry Owens, and Shane Victorino
All Shipped to Detroit In Blockbuster Deal

Clay Buchholz's tenure as the ace of the Boston Red Sox pitching staff turned out to be short-lived as the Red Sox went out and picked up a bonafide horse to lead the rotation, shocking the baseball world by acquiring Detroit Tigers lefthander David Price.

Sources confirmed to BDD that in exchange for Price -- who is in the final year of his contract -- the Red Sox will be sending future Hall of Famer Mookie Betts, Blake "Johnny Bench" Swihart, lefthander Henry Owens, and veteran outfielder Shane Victorino to Detroit in the deal that will yield the Red Sox the ace they so desperately need.

BDD has also learned that talks have already begun to lock up Price in Boston for the next 7 years in a deal that will top $220 million, making Price the highest paid pitcher in baseball, surpassing the $215 million extension that Clayton Kershaw signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season... And while you are digesting this story, don't forget to look back at Sox news on this date in 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004.

Missing After Takeoff

(BDD Photo Illustration)

Still, No Sign of Red Sox Baseball on the Boston Sports Radar

Bob Kraft Takes Shots at Jets, Revis at Boston St. Patty's Day Breakfast
Bruins 5-Game Winning Streak Comes to an End in Washington
Liverpool Must Keep Pressure on United Ahead of Anfield Clash
New and Improved Celtics on Cusp of a Playoff Berth
Rusney Castillo Hitting Soft Toss for Red Sox

"Castillo took high intensity swings during soft toss batting practice on Sunday, taking another step toward returning to games," -- According to a report from the Boston Globe's Pete Abraham

Happy Camper

(AP)

Pablo's Fat and Happy in Boston... Except He's Not Fat
And You Thought a Little Big Picture
Was Going to Rock His World

Pablo Kicks Sand In San Fran's Face I Panda Loving Early Sox Fit
Panda Doesn't Pander to Giants: Boston Is Home; Frisco Fires Back
Make No Mistake, Panda Is a Beast
Live Red Sox Updates 24/7

"I�m happy to be in Boston. I�m feeling at home right now. Whatever I said, whatever has come out, it�s the truth. So I�m just happy to be here with my new team to try and bring a lot of things to them. "I just want to be here. I just want to be here. I�m here now. Everything came out right. This is the right team, the right choice that I made. I�m happy to be here." -- Pablo Sandoval to The Boston Globe, 3.11.15

Are You Ready For Some Baseball?

(Jim Davis / Boston Globe File)

Now It's Time for the Red Sox to Do Their Job

Catching Up With Some Spring Story Lines:
Ready to Roll: Thursday Is Truck Day
Are the Red Sox Ready to Play Ball in Cuba?
You Don't Say, JBJ: Jackie Bradley's Going 'All Marshawn Lynch' This Season
Kaufman Lament: Red Sox Should Have Signed James Shields
Miley Serious: Did Red Sox Get a Steal With Wade's Three-Year Deal?
Bounce Back Time: Bogaerts Is Better, Bigger, Stronger This Time Around
Bye, Bye, Burke Badenhop: Red Sox Reliever Is On To Cincinnati
Cubs Take Sox Southpaw: Chicago Claims Drake Britton Off Waivers
The $40 Million Teenager? The Yoan Moncada Watch Continues
Confident Kelly: Joe Knows He's Going to Win the Cy Young This Year
Porcello Has a Plan: Red Sox Righthander Ready to Enter Contract Season
Time for the Big O? Henry Owens Headlines Red Sox Non-Roster Invites
Nap Happy To Be Back

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

(Frank Tencza Photo / Arts Unlimited)

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the Nation
Fans clung to the hope of a new ace in the rotation
The Red Stockings were hung in last place just last season
Everything went wrong, there wasn�t just one reason

Cherington was nestled all snug in his bed,
Dreaming of one year deals for under $9 million a head;
John Henry proclaimed there would be no salary cap
He�ll spend over the threshold, or at least that�s the rap

When out on the web there arose such a clatter,
Did the Sox make a deal? 500 re-tweets on the matter,
Away to Fenway we flew in a dash,
Tore open the laptop, camera ready to flash

Who's breaking the story? Who's the source in the know?
Have they traded for Hamels? Did they give Shields the big dough?
When, what to our wondering eyes should appear,
But free agent Max Scherzer, looking for $30 million per year!

He�ll be the ace of your staff! In the clubhouse he�ll click!
We knew in a moment, this was the old Boras trick
More rapid than flying on Henry�s jet plane
Boras whistled, and shouted, played his usual game:

"Now, Heyman! now, Morosi! now, Olney and Bradfo!
On, Rosenthal! Cafardo! on, 14-year-old kid and Gammo!
Scherzer has 3 offers! It takes 6 years to play ball!
So write up a story, I�m �a source� you can call!�

Players still flock to Boras, contract price will be high,
He plays games with the numbers, he still tells the big lie,
So it's back to the phones, 'cause he's gotta move Max,
And if the Red Sox do sign him, they�ll sell more �Sox Pax�

And then, in a twinkling, he strolled to the mound,
The prancing and pawing of this hard throwing hound,
Laying his finger aside of the seam,
He gave me a nod, Is this an impossible dream?

He spoke not a word, just continued to work,
He went into his windup; then turned with a jerk,
As Max threw out his hand, and was coming around,
Down toward home plate, the ball took off with a bound;

He threw like the old Rocket with his snarl and grit,
And a sneaky slider that's nearly impossible to hit;
His heater's mid-90s, the changeup has bite,
Scherzer will pick up a win every fifth night!

Joe Kelly and Buchholz came in focused and healthy
Porcello�s ready to roll, and now Castillo is wealthy
Dustin's banged up already; But Hanley�s ready to play
Victorino returns, but he won�t want to stay
John Farrell is back, his reputation at stake
After last year�s team never got a good shake
Vazquez at catcher is a big question mark
But the Andover kid could provide backstop spark

The Panda�s at third, Mookie Betts is still spry
More stars on the payroll, but the cost is sky high
Papi had the old stroke back, when he hit 'em they flew,
Everyone batted around, Bogaerts, too!

The crowd sprang to their feet, to the team gave a whistle,
Nap circled the bases, Koji threw another missile;
A new year is upon us and the Olde Towne ballclub,
"Let's go worst to first again! PENNANT FEVER GRIPS HUB!"

...with apologies as always to Clement Clarke Moore and Henry Livingston, Jr.
Merry Christmas, Boston Dirt Dogs

10 Years Ago

You Better Believe It!

Sox Win World Series

It's Been a While

Sweep Dreams Come True in Boston
St. Louis: Blues

If you are reading this now,
it happened in your lifetime

Total Eclipse of the Heart

"You know what I'm happiest for? I'm happiest for Bill Buckner, Calvin Schiraldi, Bob Stanley, Johnny Pesky, Ted Williams, all of the Red Sox that played before us will now be remembered for the great players and great people they were instead of all the other crap."-- Curt Schilling

DONE DEAL

D-Lowe Delivers When it Counts

Damon HR, Nixon RBIs Lead Sox 3-0

Now What?

The Mass Has Ended

Go in Peace

"I never thought I'd see the day that the Red Sox would win the World Series.

I have to give credit to a team that is that, a TEAM. The only comparison I can make is that they play the game like a bunch of hockey players. Total grit -- little appreciation. Our region has never been given anything -- going all the way back to 1700's -- everything has been earned and fought for. The idea of these players , none of which come across with the marquee athlete neon, glitz and glam, come across as human and identifiable. Once we have those characters to identify with more people get involved, i.e. wives and kids. So to all those nay sayers out there that our band of "Traveling Idiots" couldn't get it done or were disrespectful, RUBBISH. Each team member has found away to endear them to a unique part of our fan base to unite us in such a glorious achievement.

Congratulations to the World Champion 2004 Boston Red Sox , you deserve and Red Sox Nation loves you for it." -- Tom Dolan

Never Forget

(AP)

On the 13th Anniversary of September 11
We Remember Our Brothers and Sisters That Flew Out of Boston
and All Those Who Died During the Terrorist Attacks

Ch-Ch-Changes

Lester? Gone. Lackey? Gone. Gomes? Gone. Drew? Gone. Miller? Gone. Doubront? Gone. Peavy? Gone.

Say Hello to My Little Friend: Yoenis Cespedes
Or As They Like to Call Him On Oakland A's T-Shirt: 'La Potencia'
Get the Full Wrap On An Amazing Day for the Red Sox Here

Dead Last in the Ratings

Sunday Might As Well Have Been the Season Finale

Baltimore 7, Boston 6
Extra Painful Loss Lands Red Sox in Last Place
Can't Comment on Nelson Cruz Killing Sox
Ortiz Making It to Second Was a Stretch

Song Sung Blue for Red Sox

(BDD / Frank Galasso Illustration)

As We Head Into a Highly-Anticipated Football Season,
The Fat Lady Keeps Singing at Fenway

Now Available on iTunes

(BDD Photo Illustration)

Season Over, But Record Will Keep Playing

Zac Clown

EXCLUSIVE: Zac Brown Band's Fenway Park Show Set List

Tonight is the night for the big Zac Brown concert at Fenway Park, and Boston Dirt Dogs has the custom set list planned for the show:

Chicken Friend (with Special Guest Josh Beckett on Drumsticks)
All Not Right
The Night The Scorer Drove Old David Down
No Hurry
Day for the Dead Last
Natural Disaster
Beer's Gone
Trying to Dive
As Jays Running Away
Jump Right Off
Fenway the Beautiful
Day That They Die
Different Kind of Awful
Junkyard
Sweet Koji
Down This Drain
Sic 'Em on a Fried Chicken
Woes

That Sound You Hear

Is Just The US Soccer Team Advancing in the World Cup

No Goals Scored. Lose the Match to Germany. Hey, Let's Celebrate!

Silly Joel

EXCLUSIVE: Billy Joel's Fenway Park Show Set List

Tonight is the night for the big Billy Joel concert at Fenway Park, and Boston Dirt Dogs has the custom set list planned for the concert:

A Matter of Bust
It's Still Brock and Roll to Me
An Innocent Manager
Uptown Hurl
Losing the Faith
We Didn't Catch Fire
Big Squat
Captain Yak
You May Be Tight
Just The Way They Are
My Wife
Movin' Down
New York Mets State of Mind
Only The Bad Teams Die Early
Garbage Man
Scenes From a Fenway Sausage Cart
He's Always a Losin'

Sweepless in Seattle

Buchholz Bounces Back As Red Sox Salvage Finale at Safeco

Boston 5, Seattle 4 | David Ortiz Powers Sox to Victory
Big Top: Holt, Nava Lead the Way On Offense With 5-for-9 Showing
Feat of Clay: 76 Pitches in 7.1 Innings of 4 Run Ball in Return
Andrew Miller Found a Way Not to Throw It Away
Shaky City: Koji Saves No. 16

"They made me work hard. I knew they were swinging. That�s about the most aggressive team that I've pitched to in my career. For the number of pitches that I threw that was a grinding, stressful outing knowing I can�t make a mistake." -- Clay on the comeback

Shellackeyed

M's Hammer Red Sox As John Lackey
Comes Completely Undone in Fourth

Seattle 12, Boston 3 | Seattle Slaughter
Lackey Could Have Covered First for Double Play... But He Did Not Do It
Bright Side: Only 8 Teams Ahead of the Red Sox for AL Wildcard Berth
At Least the Stephen Drew-Xander Bogaerts Moves Are Going Well
Soon, Someone Is Going to Name an Airport After Logan Morrison
Like LeBron, Chris Capuano May Soon Be a Free Agent
King Felix Was Better Than King James
Et Tu, Brock Holt?

�I mean, yeah, I could have gone over there for sure. Yeah, whatever. I�ll leave that one alone.� -- In the big inning, John Lackey was his own worst enemy on potential double play

LeBron to the Rescue?

(Boston Dirt Dogs Photo Illustration)

"There are very few sportsmen who can match his global reach, appeal and iconic status... We�re going to be able to focus on how to create opportunities for LeBron." -- Red Sox chairman Tom Werner's 2011 quotes on your friend LeBron James

"What FSM does for Roush Fenway, Liverpool and the Red Sox, we will now do for LeBron James... This represents the next step in our evolution, to represent one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet." -- Red Sox COO Sam Kennedy in 2011

(BDD Photo Illustration)

(BDD Photo Illustration)

The Great Escape

Ortiz Rescues Red Sox in Oakland

Oakland 7, Boston 6 | Sox Avoid Sweep
Oh the Headlines If the Red Sox Had Lost That 6-1 Lead for Good
Blown Save City: Koji's Been Shaky Lately
Fernando Abad Boy Ruins A's Rally
Hat Tip to Nap, Ross, Gomes

"I'm getting hit on day game. I think it�s because I'm old. I'm not woken up." --Koji translated

"I like to go out there and make things happen. We've had a good game, had a good series and then we go back to struggles. So hopefully everything changes at some point." --David Ortiz after his big pop

Choke's On US

A Tie Never Felt So Much Like a Loss

West Toast

For Your Saturday Morning Breakfast As
Red Sox Keep Slip Sliding Away

Best Record in Baseball 4, Also-Rans 3 | Now Comes Miller Time
Felix the Can't: Doubront Can't Escape First Inning Fiasco
The Other Brad Mills Could Beat Boston's Banjo Hitters
Hit Me With Your Best Shot: Miller Hits Blanks and Callaspo, Game Over
The You See That RBI Coco Made?
Improvement: 6 Hits for Sox Friday
Drew Doubled... Off

"Story of our season. Every little hiccup that we have going on that week that we used to be able to hide now gets exposed." -- Jonny Gomes

Another Kaz Kickin'

Kazmir's The Latest Starter to Put Sox Offense to Sleep

Oakland 4, Boston 2 | And All That Kaz
It's the Kazmir of Old and Same Old, Same Old Invisible Sox Offense
And The Hits Keep On Coming: 5 More for the Sox And Counting
Just Say Yo: Cespedes With The Arm, Kills Sox With Bat
Stop the Presses: Pedroia Hit One Out
Peavy. Just. Can't. Win.

"We faced a tough pitcher. To be honest, our at bats weren't that bad. We have to find a way to have a big inning and get some momentum." -- Dustin Pedroia... must have been watching a different game

Between a Brock and a Hard Place ...

The Ball Was Caught By Holt

Brock Star 2, Twins 1 | Holt Leads Sox Over Twins
This Kid Is the Real Deal. Sincerely, Pedro Ciriaco

Size No More

The Sox Won't Be Surviving Grady Any Longer

Grady Sizemore Designated for Assignment
Naturally, Brock Holt to Play Center Tonight
Maybe a Coffee Cup Selfie Would Cheer Grady Up?
JBJ Survives Another Day

"I felt like we needed to make a move with Grady's situation, and he's been designated, and Garin Cecchini's been brought here so we're very confident that Brock [Holt] will do a consistent job in center." -- John Farrell on the Sizemore move

Therein Lies the Rub

Rubby De La Rosa Looked Good at Fenway Again, But What Happens When Buchholz and Doubront Return?

USA 1, Ghana 0 | Wild 1 for the Ages at Fenway
Should Rubby 2.84 ERA Stay or Should Rubby Go When Regulars Return to Rotation?
Don't Look Now, But David Got Paid Is Batting Only .246
Everybody Hates A.J. Drives in Lone Run with Sac Fly
Stop Blaming Stephen Drew, All-World Shortstop 2-for-3 with Double
Badenhop Saves the Day With a Big Boy Strikeout in the 8th
Hold Goes 0-for-3, Average Plummets to .333
This Just In: A Win Is a Win Is a Win
Jackie Bradley Strikeout

"I don't know why I started. It's a bad habit. It's horrible. If either one of my daughters wanted to dip, I'm going to tell them it's a bad decision." -- Josh Beckett on the dangers of chewing tobacco in the wake of Tony Gwynn's death

Meathead Meets King