I came across this website randomly while surfing the web the other day. It's an award for the best New England sports blogs, with monetary prizes. Categories include best Celtic blog, best Red Sox blog, best Patriot blog, best Bruin blog, and the all encompassing Blog of the Year. I say it's time Randy, Allen, SoxDevil and the rest of the OTM staff gets a little recognition. Nominate OTM for Red Sox blog of the year.

Again, the website is http://www.trufan.com/BlogAwards

Boston Herald Link

Apparently, Beckett suffered an oblique injury during his last bullpen session. The extent of the injury is unknown, but word is that he might not pitch again this season. The Red Sox are making an announcement after the Red Sox/Yankees game.

If true, this is terrible news. I really don't think the Sox can win a playoff series without Beckett. If he is indeed unable to pitch, the playoff rotation would be Lester/Matsuzaka/Wakefield/Byrd. Luckily, Lester will be able to pitch Game 1 on five days rest if needed.

UPDATE: Good news. Beckett indeed suffered a strained oblique, but it was not as severe as originally reported. He will be starting Game 3 of the ALDS. (Per Tito in the press conference)

Link: http://www.projo.com/redsox/content/projo_081908_red_sox20.12e9798b.html

Apparently, Beckett claims that he slept on his right arm wrong, and is now experiencing "tingling" in that right arm. His next start will now be pushed back 3 days.

So instead of pitching this Saturday in Toronto against the dreaded Blue Jays, Jon Lester will take his place on the mound instead. And on Sunday, it will be Daisuke Matsuzaka's turn. The Sox have an off day Monday, so Josh Beckett will get his next start on Tuesday against the New York Yankees in the Bronx.

It looks like a precautionary thing to me, so I'm not too worried about it. Anyone else concerned at all?

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If you don't know who he is, Bartolo Colon is the Angels' right hander who won the Cy Young Award in 2005, but has struggled with injuries ever since. I think this deal was done strictly as insurance in case Schilling is done for good. Personally, I think Colon is washed up and done for good, but you can't go wrong with extra depth at SP. It'll be interesting to see what he brings to the Sox.

Terry Francona finally gets that extension he deserved. He is now signed through 2011, with club options for 2012 and 2013. The deal is said to be about 3 to 4 million a year, which makes francona one of the highest paid managers.

IMO, this is a great move. Tito did a hell of a job as manager last season, especially in the postseason, and he certainly has the players' respect.

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i will be gone for the next 3 weeks 07/14 to 08/03. if you can use this generic OTM entry for every game  i miss, it would be greatly appreciated

POTG: manny ramirez
SP's line: 6IP, 6H, 3ER, 3BB, 6K
Above and Beyond: sox bullpen allows no runs

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