What The Sox Playoff Roster Should Look Like.

So there's been a lot of speculation as to what the 25 man roster will look like for the Sox as they head into the postseason.  Luckily for the Red Sox, I have all the answers they need.  So without further ado, I give you the Skinny Sports ideal playoff roster...

Starting Pitchers
1. Jon Lester
2. John Lackey
3. Clay Buchholz
4. Jake Peavy

Lineup
1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Shane Victorino RF
3. Dustin Pedroia 2B
4. David Ortiz DH
5. Mike Napoli 1B
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
7. Daniel Nava LF
8. Stephen Drew SS
9. Will Middlebrooks 3B

Bench
1. Johnny Gomes
2. David Ross
3. Xander Boegarts
4. Mike Carp
5. Quintin Berry

Bullpen
1. Koji Uehara
2. Junichi Tazawa
3. Ryan Dempster
4. Felix Doubront
5. Craig Breslow
6. Brandon Workman
7. Franklin Morales

There it is.  The most ideal playoff roster.  I'll begin explaining with the starting pitchers.  Lester has gott abe the number one, since he's been pitching like a true ace for the better parts of the last 2 months.  Lackey, although not as good as Buchholz, has a 2.50 home ERA compared to his 4.50 away ERA; which makes him a much smarter game 2 starter at Fenway rather than a game 3 starter elsewhere.

As for the lineup, I based that lineup assuming they are going up against a right handed pitcher.  Obviously Mike Carp, Johnny Gomes, and David Ross will routinely substitute in for guys like Nava, Salty, and Victorino.

The bullpen will be solidified with Uehara, Tazawa, and Workman in the late innings, although Workman has struggled as of late, which could mean Dempster will be called upon to fill the void.  Breslow and Morales will serve as lefty specialists.  Morales is a bit of a surprise pick, but I like his versatility of throwing gas and being able to work multiple innings.  Doubront and Dempster/Workman also give long relief support.

Now I think the biggest surprise here is the inclusion of Quintin Berry   I like Berry to beat out Jackie Bradley Jr. for the final spot, solely because of a possible pinch runner situation, which seems to always happen at some point during the MLB playoffs.  Berry is REAL fast.  Bradley, not so much.  The popular argument against having Berry on the roster is that Ellsbury's health is in question and so is Victorino's.  But the way I see it is simple...there's no chance Ellsbury isn;t healthy for the postseason.  He;s a Scott Boras client, and Scott Boras clients always *cough..cough* *wink..wink* find a way to be healthy and put up numbers when it really counts.  And is Bradley Jr. really that much better of a hitter right now than Berry?  In 4 AB's as a Red Sox, Berry is 3 for 4 with 4 runs scored and a stolen base that came in a critical moment during their run to win the division.  I mean, if Berry doesn't make the postseason roster as a possible pinch runner, then why did the Sox even sign him in the first place?  Don't forget how important a stolen base can be...

A steal can re-write history.

Are People Getting Excited About The Red Sox Yet?

Serious question. Is anyone else getting baseball fever over this Red Sox team like I am?  Or is September too early for the pink hats to rev the bandwagon engine?  Because if you're not watching Red Sox games right now you're a flat out loser jabroni.  Not a single player on this team is unlikable.  I mean, even John Lackey is getting standing ovations after pitching a good game.  Throw in the fact that the Sox have the most electifying man in The Show closing out every game, and you got yourself some high quality sports entertainment.  Baseball is creeping its way back to Boston whether the haters like it or not.  I can smell it in the air.  Each game feels more and more like a playoff game, and when October rolls around for the actual playoffs I can guarantee the Pink Hats will be out in full force.  I haven't felt this good about the Red Sox since probably 2007.  There's something special about the group of guys we have this year, and you'd be a fool to miss how it ends.

Biggest Douches in Each Major Sport.

Anyone who is a fan of sports knows that there are incredible amounts of douchebaggery in each sport, respectively.  There's a variety of extreme douchebaggery, minor douchebaggery, and intermediate douchebaggery.  Some athletes are just naturally gifted at being the best douche they can be.  So, I've took it upon myself to dig deep and try to seperate the greatest individual douchebag in each sport.  Without further ado....

NBA: Dwight Howard

I know, I know...Upset city!  Most of you might consider Lebron James or Chris Bosh or D-Wade to be the biggest douches in the Association, but in my expert opinion, Dwight Howard has clearly overtaken the title from Lebron.  Seriously, the way Howard toyed around in Orlando demanding to be traded then not wanting to be traded, only to want to be traded again, but not if it's to a team he doesn't like.  So douchey.  Then he goes to LA, sucks, puts blame on the coach and then leaves for Houston.  Keep in mind he'll only play for a big city so he can "market" himself.  Oh, and how could we forget that he has enough illegitimate children with about 10 different women that even Antonio Cromartie is like "C'mon Man!"  Dwight Howard: The NBA's Most Valuable Douche.

Wild Card: Russell Westbrook

MLB: Alex Rodriguez

This one is pretty self explanatory.  The guy has been busted for steroid use multiple times now and he refuses to accept his punishment, even though every other player linked to the same clinic he went to is serving their punishments.  But nooooo not A-Rod.  He's feels he's entitled to special treatment because he still thinks he's Baseball's golden boy.  And if you don't think all of that makes him a douche, then maybe the fact he has a picture of himself as a centaur will.

Wild Card: Johnathan Papelbon

NFL: Terrell Suggs

I hate Terrell Suggs like Michael Scott hates Toby.  I hate the way he talks, the things he says, the way he plays, everything.  Now I'll give him credit...he's a good linebacker.  But the way he carries himself is supremely douchey.  He's always ripping opponents, especially the Pats.  He'll talk out of his ass saying ridiculous things about Tom Brady and Belichick.  He'll celebrate like a complete dingus after making any type of play on the field.  But my least favorite thing about him is that he talks like he was taught English by some sort of mix between DMX, Ja Rule, and Rick Ross.  Literally everything that spills out of his mouth is incoherent rambling....I can't believe Suggs didn't play college ball at "THE U"...that place harvests douchebags.

Wild Card: Philip Rivers

NHL: Brad Marchand

Yeah, that's right! Brad Marchand is the douchiest player in the NHL...and as a very casual fan of the Bruins, I love it.  Bruins fans would be lying to themselves if they said Marchand wasn't a douchebag.  I mean he's dirty, talks plenty of shit, and is talented enough to be relevant and hated by other teams.  He also parties like a total assclown when he's not on the ice sticking his fingers in people's mouths. Sorry if this bothers some of you Bruins diehards, but facts are facts.  Just embrace his douchebaggery and call it your own!

Wild Card: Sidney Crosby


Women's Sports: Serena Williams' Actual Douche

It would've been pretty arrogant of me to not include women's sports leagues too, you guys.

Sox Trade Iglesias For Jake Peavy. Everyone Including Myself Proceeds to Panic.

I'll admit, when I first heard that this trade was going down I was sort of shell shocked.  After all, Iglesias burst into the big leagues this year flashing a ridiculous glove in the infield, and becoming a master of getting infield singles.  At one point he was hitting .400.  However, lately he's been in a supremely shitty rut.  In his last 18 games he's posted a .169 BA, .169 OBP, and has drawn 0 walks.  He's never been a good hitter his entire career, and it's likely he has finally fallen back down to Earth.  Yet still, he was already becoming a fan favorite amongst the die hard fans.

But with that said, let's take a breath and actually think big picture.  The Sox are getting Jake Peavy, a proven (yet sometime injury prone) veteran who is having a decent season for himself considering he plays for the White Sox.  He's exactly what the Sox need for a strong playoff run.  He'll also give them the flexibility of moving Brandon Workman to the bullpen to give them that right handed reliever that they needed.

Now you're probably sitting there saying to yourself "Well sure that's all fine and good, but they gave away a young SS for a veteran pitcher for probably only 2 years."  Sure that's a valid argument, but take a look at how strong the farm system is.  Xander Boegarts is gonna be a stud.  He's wanted by nearly every team in the legaue.  He's gonna be the shortstop next season, and might even be called up when rosters expand this season.  His hitting will make us soon forget Iglesias.

But what about 3B?  The Sox can fill the 3B spot with Middlebrooks (who's been playing well in AAA) this season, and convert him to 1B in future season.  They have Gavin Ceccini in the farm playing like a stud right now who projects to be the answer at 3B for years to come.

But most of all, let us not forget that the Sox were able to get Peavy without giving up any of their top prospects in the minors.  They can now groom these prospects to join the team in future seasons, or even use them in potential deals to bring in a franchise player such as Giancarlo Stanton.  And if there's a position the Sox need filled for a year or 2 while the young kids groom, they still have more money than almost any team to fill those needs.

So lets not panic and start saying absurd things like this team is trading away its farm like the 2011 team.  It's simply not true.  Hope everyone's ready for some baseball in October!

Celtics Trade Pierce and KG to Brooklyn.

These two men deserve to see their numbers in the rafters.

Well it's official.  I've been prepping for this day all offseason long.  I thought my heart could take it, but the news that Paul Pierce is no longer going to be suiting up for the Celtics is hitting me hard.  Pierce was, is, and always will be a Celtic.  I can't wait for the day he returns to us to watch his #34 get raised to the high heavens of the Garden, hanging majestically next to the likes of Bill Russell, Larry Bird, John Havlicek, and Kevin McHale.  The next 34 beers I drink will all be dedicated to The Captain, aaaaaaannnnd The Truth....Number 34...Pauuuuuullll Piieeerce!

Now lets analyze the trade.  The Celtics send Pierce, Garnett, and Terry to Brooklyn for Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, Reggie Evans, Kris Joseph, some European guy with a weird name, and FOUR first round picks.  I'll start by saying I like Humphries.  He gets unfairly bashed by NBA fans for no reason other than because his ex wife is Kim Kardashian.  The dude can play.  He's an above average rebounder and he can score with a respectable average.  Gerald Wallace on the other hand, I despise.  His contract is so absurd it makes Bobby Bonilla blush, and he's a punk who was always talking trash with KG.  Even if the Celtics keep him I'll never root for him.  Joseph will just be an end of the bench role player, and Evans is decent but I wouldn't be upset whether he stayed or left.  The draft picks are what makes this a fantastic deal for the C's.  It gives them the assets to either rebuild from the draft, or use the picks in trades to rebuild that way.  All in all, this was a deal that was a no brainer to make for the Celtics, although it had to have been very emotionally tough to make.

If you're feeling uneasy about the Celtics try not to panic too much.  Danny Ainge isn't done yet.  He still has to hire a coach, and I still think another trade will be made.  They have so many assets to use now, that anything could happen.  Josh Smith could be a likely candidate to join the team for next year, too.  It's gonna be one hell of an offseason.  Hope you're ready.

Now excuse me as I go cry my balls off and lay in the fetal position under my Paul Pierce poster.

Bruins Lose A Heartbreaker.

Hell of a season and playoff run by this Bruins team.  They gave the city of Boston something to root for when the city needed it most.  It's never easy watching your team go down with the championship on the line, but you've gotta be proud of what this team accomplished.  Plus, with a young talented foundation this is going to be a fun and exciting team to watch for years to come.  As for what to do now as a Boston sports fan? Red Sox are in first place in the best division in baseball.  And the Patriots kick off training camp in a few weeks.  Never a dull moment in this city.

P.S. Hats off to Chicago. Great city. Great team. Beat us fair and square.

Good Week For Aaron Hernandez...

So unless you've been living under a rock for the past couple of days, you've probably heard about how Aaron Hernandez is a possible suspect in a homicide.  You've also probably heard about him currenly being sued for allegedly shooting a guy in the face at a Miami strip club.  It seems like every new breaking story surrounding the Patriots is bad.  It's definitely been a horrible offseason.  Here's how the offseason has basically gone so far: Pats lose AFC Championship. Welker signs with Denver. Pats trade out of first round. Dennard sentenced to month in jail. Gronk dances on a club stage and Rock Bottom's his friend.  Gronk breaks his arm. Gronk has surgery. Gronk has another surgery. Gronk has another surgery. Gronk finds out he needs back surgery. Pats sign Tim Tebow. Hernandez starts shooting everyone.

So that's basically the type of news Patriot fans have had to sit through.  It's gotten to the point where people are trying to convince themselves that Jake Ballard is going to come in and be one of the best tight ends in the league.  He's good but he isn't Gronk or Hernandez.

As far as the Hernandez situation goes, I'm really starting to think he may have actually killed this guy in North Attleboro. Obviously I hope I'm dead wrong, but the news reports are not promising.  I think at the very least Hernandez knows the person who killed this guy.  Fortunately I'm usually wrong in situations like this.

P.S: This is what happens when you smoke weed in college.  No wonder Hernandez fell to the 4th round.