outsidepitchmlb : The Boston Red Sox can't get too comfortable down the stretch

The Boston Red Sox can't get too comfortable down the stretch

Boston Red Sox need to avoid common mistake of getting too comfortableBoston Red Sox need to avoid common mistake of getting too comfortableWe've seen it before and we'll see it again.Teams have a big lead in a playoff race in September, and blow it.They get too comfortable and slacked off for a little bit.

Boston Red Sox Cy Young Predictor

Boston Red Sox starter Rick Porcello will win the Cy Young Award based on my own predictor – Porcello deserves it.The Cy Young Award is really a fundamentally flawed award since it is based on the best and not the most valuable pitcher.Pitching with money on the line certainly should have its props.

Boston Red Sox lose another close one despite Rick Porcello's command

BOSTON -- Given the opponent, the stakes and some of his early obstacles Wednesday, Rick Porcello had arguably his best performance at Fenway despite losing his first home game of the season.Porcello was outdueled, barely, in a 1-0 loss to Kevin Gausman and the Baltimore Orioles, and the Boston Red Sox's lead in the American League East was sliced to one game over the O's.Still, Porcello's bid for his 21st win of the season, and his 14th at Fenway, was a strong one.

What we learned: Boston Red Sox show bullpen is in order in 5-2 win over Baltimore Orioles

The bullpen is no longer a trouble spotIn Tuesday's night win, John Farrell used -- arguably -- his four best relievers in relief of Eduardo Rodriguez: Matt Barnes, Brad Ziegler, Koji Uehara and Craig Kimbrel.The Orioles notched a run in the seventh -- the first inherited run that the bullpen had allowed in the month of September -- when, after a leadoff double against Eduardo Rodriguez, they managed a groundout to the right side that advanced the runner to third and a two-out, swinging-bunt single against Matt Barnes.After that, Ziegler got the final out of the inning, Uehara pitched a 12-pitch eighth in order and Kimbrel mixed a walk in to an otherwise perfecrt ninth inning.

Boston Red Sox backup catcher: Is Ryan Hanigan or Bryan Holaday the No. 2 catcher behind Sandy Leon?

BOSTON — Sandy Leon has started 50 of the Boston Red Sox's 68 games since July 1 (74 percent).He has taken on a large workload since becoming the starting catcher and he'll continue to play almost every day down the stretch with just 16 games remaining and the Red Sox holding a two-game lead in the AL East.Boston needs his bat and defense in the lineup.