Bob Lobel: You Can't Always Get What You Want (in Boston Sports)

By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

Knowing what you want is easy. Asking for it is much more difficult, so it stands to reason that getting what you want is really tough, since you pretty much always have to ask for it.  

So, every once in a while it's probably good to figure out what you want and then ask for it. Let's begin to ask: I want the Boston Red Sox to figure it out, because they are driving me crazy. What if they figure out that David Ortiz is struggling, and they need to get him out of the lineup in a year where his celebrity has never been higher? I think that’s probably not going to happen. 

I want the fans to give Alex Rodriguez a standing ovation at some point tonight, and them give him a boo beyond boo. It would kinda recognize the conflict within for those of us who really wanted the Red Sox to get him when that opportunity was there. Count that group. 

I remember the  phone call I got at 8 am from Peter Brown, our news director. I said “hello” and he said “we got him!" 

Weekly Red Sox Report: July 24

By Adam Lowenstein (@StatsAdam)

Kyle Gibson stalled the otherwise-hot Red Sox offense on Friday, and Boston's injured bullpen hurt them on Saturday. John Farrell gave Clay Buchholz possibly one of his last shots for a while in Saturday’s loss, and he allowed three runs in just an inning.

Newly-acquired Brad Ziegler, now the team’s closer due to all the injuries, has yet to record a save with the team, but has thrown 4.2 scoreless innings and allowed just one hit.

Also, we will have a bit of a different look from my Red Sox articles moving forward. I hope you enjoy our three up and three down.

THREE UP

SP Eduardo Rodriguez was called up a week ago, and his stock is definitely rising. On Friday, he matched his second-most strikeouts in a MLB game, as he was a hard-luck loser with eight K’s in 5.1 innings of two-run ball against the visiting Minnesota Twins. Although the Twins strike out among the most in the league, the eight strikeouts are five more than Rodriguez had combined in his previous two starts.

Rodriguez is still searching for his first home win in 2016 after having six decisions go in his favor at Fenway Park last season. The 23-year-old did win his second game of the season on July 16, as he threw seven innings of one run-ball at Yankee Stadium in a 5-2 Red Sox win.

Rodriguez will take on the Detroit Tigers next Wednesday when Boston’s nine-game homestand ends.

Bob Lobel: Is David Worth the Price?

By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

Ok, I'm  confused. 

Though, admittedly, it doesn’t take much. 

The signing of David Price didn’t appear confusing, but why then do I think the Red Sox have moved into a new neighborhood with a pricey address? In fact, it became so pricey that it becomes annoying. Annoying because somebody has to pay for it, and when you pay that much and take it home, it better produce. 

Everything You Need to Know About the Red Sox-Rays ALDS

Will David Ortiz and the potent Red Sox offense be able to overcome Tampa's deep pitching staff?

 By Bennett Corcoran

Tomorrow night, the scorching Tampa Bay Rays will encounter yet another playoff game on the road, taking on the division rival Boston Red Sox.

This series will mostly be a battle of pitching versus hitting, as the deep Rays pitching staff will face one of the most potent offenses in the league in Boston. Will the Red Sox and their big bats prevail, or will Tampa Bay’s pitching staff limit their opportunities, squeak together some runs and grind out the series win?