Leave it to a $161 Million Payroll to Try and Steal the Postseason Thunder

In case you missed it, the Boston Red Sox epic collapse is still in motion. Leave it to a $161 million payroll to try and steal the thunder of the playoffs. I mean, would you look at that? They didn't even make the playoffs, yet here we are talking about them.

From Bob Hohler of the Boston Globe:

"How a team that was on pace in late August to win 100 games and contend for its third World Series title in seven years self-destructed is a story of disunity, disloyalty, and dysfunction like few others in franchise history."

Good point, I suppose. It all started with them losing a crap-ton of games during the final month of the season. In fact, they failed to put together any sort of winning streak, never winning more than one game in a row in the whole month of September. Total failure.

Terry Francona, living in a hotel all season while in the middle of a separation from his wife, was "let go" as Boston refused to pick up his 2012 contract option. However, he kept his head up and did color commentary, surviving the voice of Joe Buck during the first two games of the ALCS. We're proud of him.

General Manager Theo Epstein was the next to go, taking the vacant position of Chicago Cubs GM for $15 million over the next five seasons. Obviously, he's planning on ending their 102-year Championship drought.

Red Sox and Rays Both Victorious, Wild Card Still Tied

If you watched any of the Boston Red Sox game against the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday night, we hope you caught the Adam Jones at bat in the bottom of the ninth inning with two out and a man on second. What an attention whore.

After ten agonizing pitches, Jonathan Papelbon eventually got Jones to ground out on a slider and end the game. The 8-7 victory, combined with the Tampa Bay Rays' 5-3 win over the New York Yankees, allowed the Red Sox to stay alive another day in the American League Wild Card hunt.

Boston went yard four times in the evening, including two homers off the bat of adorable rookie catcher Ryan Lavarnway. The Yale philosophy major who never even played a big league game before this August, nailed a three-run shot in the fourth before adding a solo shot for good measure to give his team an 8-4 lead in the eighth. The O's tried to rally late in the game, but Papelboner was having none of that.

The Red Sox will send workhorse Jon Lester to the mound on three days' rest to face Alfredo Simon in the season finale Wednesday night in an effort to punch their fourth ticket to the postseason in five years.

Rays In, Red Sox Out

In one of the more entertaining ALCS playoff series this year, the Tampa Bay Rays finally drove the last nail into the Boston Red Sox coffin tonight as they won 3-1, overpowering the intimidating offense with amazing pitching by starter Matt Garza, and relief pitching including September newcomer David Price, who earned the save.

Jon Lester also offered up a pretty sweet pitching effort but the Rays' bats hit enough to bring in the three runs to win the game. Wille Aybar pulled out the long ball against Lester in the seventh inning and represented the 26th home run in this ALCS, breaking the record by one run for home runs hit in a single LCS. Cool.

Not So Bizarro Anymore

We've come to expect nothing but the best from the Tampa Bay Rays this season.

During Monday's 9-1 victory, righty Matt Garza held the Boston Red Sox scoreless through six innings, walking three and fanning five, to help put the defending champs in their first postseason deficit since returning from a 3-1 hole in last year's ALCS against the Cleveland Indians.

High Five Jon Lester

Lefty Jon Lester became the 18th pitcher in Boston Red Sox history to keep an entire team hitless over nine innings, shutting out the Kansas City Royals 7-0 Monday night for his first career no-hitter.

Yeah. He totally beat cancer, too.

[SOX & Dawgs]

Lester To Make Triumphant Return

Jon Lester beat cancer. That's awesome.

After a rookie season which was cut short due to a diagnosis of lymphoma last summer, Lester is slated to make his comeback today against the Cleveland Indians.

This marks the 23-year-old lefty's first start since he beat the Los Angeles Angels on August 23, 2006.

After undergoing treatment during the offseason, he rejoined the club during spring training and started the season on the disabled list. He was activated on June 11th, but was promptly optioned for some minor league seasoning.

Lester then went 4-5 with a 3.89 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 71.2 minor league innings this season with the AAA Pawtucket Sox.

Right-hander Julian Tavarez, who is 5-8 with a 5.27 ERA in 18 starts, will move to the bullpen to make room for Lester in Boston's rotation.

[Boston Globe]