By: Dan Podheiser, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Red Sox fans, but I think you already know what I’m about to say.

The Boston Red Sox are not going to make the playoffs.

This is usually the time to start pointing fingers at reasons why the Sox fell short this year.

Obviously, injuries were the key reason. When the team loses its two best players, Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia, it doesn’t have much of a shot to compete with the two best teams in baseball.

One could also point out Boston’s shaky starting pitching, which was supposed to be the team’s strong suit in 2010. John Lackey (12-9, 4.48 ERA) has been inconsistent all year, Josh Beckett (4-4, 6.21 ERA) has been ridden with injuries and Jon Lester (15-8, 3.27 ERA), who was arguably the AL’s best pitcher halfway through the season, is just 4-5 with a 4.34 ERA since the All-Star break.

But that’s enough whining. There are still four weeks left in the regular season, and even though the Red Sox have no chance — I repeat, no chance — of playing postseason ball, there are still some important players to watch in the final month.

So don’t turn off NESN just yet (except on Sundays; you can watch the Pats). These are five Red Sox players to continue to watch the rest of the way.

Daniel Bard – Many Red Sox fans have been going for Jonathan Papelbon’s head this year, as the closer has seven blown saves in 2010. Cue Daniel Bard. The 25 year old has burst onto the scene this year as one of the most dominant setup men in the AL, with a 1.82 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. His fastball is faster than Papelbon’s, his slider crisper and his ability to get hitters out — well that’s pretty self explanatory. Look for Bard, who is without a doubt Boston’s closer of the future, to get a few save opportunities down the stretch.

Clay Buchholz – With the exception of a four-week stretch on the DL, Buchholz has been one of the few consistent Red Sox players in 2010, and the only one in the starting rotation to continue to put up good numbers. Buchholz is 15-6, and his 2.25 ERA is best in the AL. Buchholz should have five more starts this year, which means he has five more chances to gain the respect of the AL Cy Young voters. If he wins it, he’ll become the first Boston pitcher to win the award since Pedro Martinez in 2000.

Victor Martinez – The Red Sox have still not worked out a contract with “V-Mart”, and it doesn’t appear that the two parties will negotiate until after the season. That said, the final four weeks are an audition for Martinez, whose .742 OPS after the All-Star break is much lower than his .824 mark before the break. Martinez will be the top free agent catcher on the market if the Red Sox doesn’t resign him, but you have to think he’ll be back in Fenway Park next April, given Boston’s obvious lack of catching depth beyond him. How much they pay him could depend on the next four weeks.

David Ortiz – Much like Martinez, Ortiz is playing for a contract in September. “Big Papi” has been a consistent threat since May, and will finish the season somewhere around 30 home runs and 100 RBIs if he maintains his pace. But Ortiz might need to turn it on if he wants the multi-year deal he requested after winning the Home Run Derby in July. The Red Sox know he can hit during the summer, but it’s how the 34 year old’s legs hold up in September (and inevitably, October) which will really spark the interest of the powers that be.

Ryan Kalish – After Kalish’s first 13 major league games, in which the 22 year old hit .326 (14-for-43), everyone thought the Red Sox had finally found their center fielder. Since then, Kalish has completely tailed off. He enters Monday with a .233 average and just a .278 on-base percentage. But September is made for rookies to showcase their skills. Kalish, who made his major league debut on July 31, has a head start on many of the other September call-ups around the league. A solid month could give him a decent shot of making the team next year; a team that should have high hopes for the postseason.

By: Phil Shore, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer

The New England Patriots were dealt a huge blow Tuesday as cornerback Leigh Bodden was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

Bodden played 15 games last season as a starting defensive back. He was the Patriots’ most productive player on the weakest unit of a defense that struggled.

He registered 55 tackles and a team-high five interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. New England rewarded him this past offseason with a four year, $22 million contract.

Bodden had missed most of training camp with a knee injury. He had returned to practice last week and played in Thursday’s preseason game against the Saint Louis Rams.

Without Bodden, a seven-year NFL veteran, the Patriots’ already thin defensive backs unit will rely on several young corners that have yet to prove themselves.

The injury means that the starting positions will be handed to Darius Butler, projected to start alongside Bodden, and first-round draft pick Devin McCourty.

The second-year Butler played in 14 games last season, five as a starter, and picked off three passes, one for a touchdown. The Patriots felt confident in Butler as a prospect and were ready to let him, although inexperienced, earn a starting spot.

McCourty is another prospect highly regarded by the Patriots’ brass, but the coaching staff wanted to bring him along more slowly.

An athletic as well as intelligent player, McCourty was expected to play on special teams as well as contributing to the defense as a nickel back.

He has impressed at training camp and could have eventually worked his way into a starting role, but Bodden’s injury expedited the process. Now New England places the starting cornerback positions in the hands of two players who have one NFL season and five starts between them. While not the most enviable situation, if the two players are talented enough it could be a welcome change to inject more youth and skill to the defense.

The depth becomes the problem.

Two players the Patriots desperately need to step up are third-year corners Jonathan Wilhite and Terrence Wheatley.

Wheatley is a second-round pick, like Butler, but has not matched his productivity. Wheatley has played in only 11 games, has four tackles, and has zero interceptions. Most of the action he has seen has been on special teams and return units.

In his third year and with the team in need it is time for Wheatley to live up to his second-round billing and perform.

Wilhite, a fourth-round pick, has been a bit more productive and has progressed in his first two years. In 2009, Wilhite played in two less games than his rookie campaign (14) yet recorded 17 more tackles (45) and one more interception (2).

He now has a chance for even more playing time, and if Butler or McCourty slip up he could even earn some starts.

The inexperience is the most prevalent issue at hand. Butler, McCourty, Wilhite, and Wheatley have a combined five seasons of NFL experience. There has been inconsistent play from this group, and although there is confidence in those players from the coaching staff, there simply has not been enough of a sample size to be brimming with optimism, not for 2010 at least.

Need more reason to worry? The Patriots will face Carson Palmer, Joe Flacco, Philip Rivers, Brett Favre, Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, and Aaron Rodgers; all considered some of the best quarterbacks in the league.

They also need to cover Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens, Brandon Marshall, Anquan Boldin, Reggie Wayne, Calvin Johnson, and Santonio Holmes.

The New England secondary was already in question heading into the season.

Now, those remaining need to learn on the job and grow up fast or else the Patriots will get burned by an all-out aerial attack.

By: Dan Podheiser, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer

There have been several great third basemen in Red Sox history.

Since 1901 (when the franchise was called the Boston Americans), there have been 46 different everyday third basemen.

Wade Boggs was easily the best. Boggs made eight straight All-Star teams from 1985 to 1992, and won the silver slugger at third six times in his Red Sox career.

In recent years, two fan favorites — Bill Mueller and Mike Lowell — have made great impressions at third base. Mueller won the AL batting title in 2003, and Lowell had a great 2007 season that culminated with a World Series MVP Award.

There was also George Kell — a Hall of Famer more well-known for his years with the Athletics and Tigers — who made an All-Star team playing the hot corner for Boston in 1953.

But in 2010, Adrian Beltre’s stats are quickly becoming one of the best in Red Sox third base history. Unquestionably Boston’s most consistent hitter all year, Beltre has had a career resurrection at the right time for the injury-plagued Red Sox.

So, without further ado, here are the top 10 seasons for Red Sox third basemen in franchise history.

By: Dan Podheiser, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer

It was the one that got away.

In a Red Sox season filled with ups and downs, a depleted roster that takes up an entire hospital wing and gutsy performances from the most unlikely suspects, the entire thing could come down to one horrible inning.

Carrying a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning in Toronto on Thursday, Boston was set to sweep the Blue Jays and head into its tough series in Texas just three games behind the Rays in the wild card and four and a half back of the Yankees in the division.

Instead, Jonathan Papelbon decided to employ his Jekyll and Hyde act again — something Red Sox fans have seen far too often in 2010 — and the Sox ended up losing on a walk-off sacrifice fly, 6-5.

The Red Sox gave up a full game in the race, something they can’t afford to do when they’re chasing the two best teams in baseball.

As for the Rays, who lead Boston by a comfortable four games in the wild card race — they got to look forward to a nice three-game set at home over the weekend against the last-place Orioles. And while Baltimore has been hot since Buck Showalter took over, Tampa Bay pretty much couldn’t ask for an easier upcoming series.

Then Friday the 13th happened, and it couldn’t have been less in the Red Sox’ favor. In the fourth, up 8-2, the Sox slowly began to blow their lead taking the game into extra innings. Tim Wakefield threw one pitch, giving up a walk-off homer in the 11th and the game.

If that wasn’t bad enough, Jacoby Ellsbury re-injured his ribs.

The Red Sox might have needed to not just win the series against the Rangers — an already difficult task — they might have needed to sweep it. That opportunity is already gone.

Luckily, the Rays lost last night too. The Orioles shut them out them 5-0. It’s possible that the Rays give the Sox a gift by losing at least two-of-three now. With Dustin Pedroia due to come back next week, the Red Sox could quickly jump into playoff position by the end of the month.

But, if Boston can’t pick up the rest of the series, the Red Sox could quickly become an afterthought. Every series for Boston is huge for the remainder of the season, but it’s hard to have any expectations for this team — positive or negative — with the way this year has played out.

Fans just have to sit back, watch and pray their team gets it together for the final six weeks.

That, and Jonathan Papelbon has to find his right arm. The good one, I mean.

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor

It’s Back!!

Yeah I know, it’s just a preseason game, but football is finally here. Take a break from the literally broken Red Sox, because I don’t know about you, but they are giving me some serious “Can we catch the wildcard?” anxiety.

Try to forget the last time we saw our Patriots in action. I know I don’t remember shit having drunk myself back to a time when we were the kind of team that doesn’t let the freaking Baltimore Ravens man handle us. So, grab some beer, some wings, and sit back and enjoy the beginning-of-a-new-year-anything-is-possible-bliss.

Lucky for our boys, their first competition is none other than the Saintly SuperBowl Champs. This might seem rather unlucky, but the fact is that these games don’t matter. So, even if Drew and his team breezes (I’m feeling quite pun-ny today) by the Patriots, it’s okay because it doesn’t mean anything. All it means, is we got to play against some good competition to help us prepare for the games that count.

Now, I know these games are hard to watch, especially by third when you don’t recognize any of our players on the field. But, exhibition matches will give us a little more insight into Belichick’s head and the upcoming season.

To make this more fun, I’ve created a Pre-Season Drinking Game. By the end of the night even if some of your questions aren’t answered, you’ll be happily wasted.

1. If Wes Welker comes onto the field, DRINK. In fact, Cheers with your buddy next to you. This will be a glorious moment of, okay, maybe he’s ready and we’re not completely fucked.

2. If Wes Welker scores a touchdown, take a shot for the little man.

3. Any time we sack Brees or any other QB, drink. We had some serious problems with this last year if I remember correctly. If I’m wrong, I blame the heavy drinking they drove me too last playoffs, and either way, sacking is something to celebrate.

4. If Maroney fumbles, chug the rest of your beer. This is the kind of drink to ease to pain. Oh god, not again. He STILL sucks. If Maroney holds onto the damn ball, hell, drink then too and yell Hallelujah!

5. Anytime a rookie impresses you, drink. He have some definite holes to fill and anyone who steps up deserves some praise.

6. Anytime we actually run the ball more than ten yards, drink. We really need to diversify our game here.

7. If we win, head to the bar and keep going.

Happy Pre-Season Everyone!

By: Phil Shore, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer

With the start of training camp comes the start of a new NFL season. It’s a bit cliché, but every team starts 0-0 and with optimism that they could pull everything together and win the Super Bowl.

Some teams can be more optimistic than others. The New England Patriots are one of them. The Patriots have the talent and organization to be set up to win now.

That said, they are far from a perfect squad. The team is undergoing a youth movement on the defensive side of the ball, have some early injury concerns, and still have some off-field business matters to take care of.

Here are some of the Patriots’ biggest questions that need to be answered for the team to have a successful season.

1. Who will start at cornerback opposite Leigh Bodden?

Leigh Bodden’s five interception season earned him a new contract with the Patriots, but who will the team partner with him?

The two leading candidates are second-year corner Darius Butler and first-round draft pick Devin McCourty.

Butler played in 14 games last season, registering 33 tackles and three interceptions, including returning one for a touchdown.

McCourty is extremely versatile and could play a big role on special teams as well as on defense.

Early expectations had the team bringing on McCourty slowly, but he has been taking a lot of reps with the first-team defense alongside Bodden, before Bodden was taken out because of injury.

With Bodden temporarily sidelined, McCourty and Butler will both start in the team’s first exhibition game, and will battle each other the entire preseason for the right to start.

One would think because of the way the Patriots handle their players that Butler has the edge because of his experience in the team’s system, but McCourty looks to be on the fast-track to playing time.

Both prospects have bright futures, and the competition will make them that much better. But right now, only one will get the nod to start.

2. Vince Wilfork got his money. Will he live up to his new contract?

Players in the last year of their contract typically play strongly, working to ensure a big payday in the offseason. The problem is that once they do get that new contract they aren’t as motivated and see a sharp decline in stats.

The perfect example is the previous big-name defensive tackle free agent before Wilfork: Albert Haynesworth.

In 2008, Haynesworth put up career-highs in games started (14), total tackles (41), sacks (8.5), and forced fumbles (3). He signed a contract with the Washington Redskins worth $100 million with $41 million guaranteed.

He then proceeded to go down in all those categories, starting only 12 games, registering 29 total tackles, eight sacks, and forcing zero fumbles.

This year he has had trouble even passing a conditioning test.

Wilfork did not have a career year in 2009. Still he was too important to the Patriots team and defense to let go, and he got his new contract. It wasn’t Haynesworth money, but it was certainly not table scraps.

The Patriots organization and coaching staff has done a good job bringing in quality players, both with football talent and locker room character, and Wilfork has been a vital part with strong winning teams, so it’s unlikely that he become complacent now that he has his money.

3. How will extra responsibility affect Bill Belichick?

The Patriots will enter the season without an offensive and defensive coordinator. Belichick will be the primary play-caller for both sides of the ball.

Belichick was already heavily involved with the defense, as that was his specialty coming into the league, but now he assumes more responsibility.

Belichick’s play calling on offense was heavily scrutinized when instead of punting on fourth down on their own 28-yard line with a six point lead and two minutes remaining against the Colts, they went for it. They failed to convert and gave the ball back to Indianapolis and Peyton Manning with plenty of time and little field left to win the game.

Considered one of, if not the best coach in the league, is Belichick taking on too much? Is his control of the team reaching too far?

4. When will Wes Welker be ready to play?

Welker tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the regular season finale against Houston and was expected to miss at least the first half of the season. He was placed on the physically unable to perform list, but showed up at camp.

Then he was removed from the PUP, and once removed a player cannot be put back on the list. This lead to speculation that Welker could be ready sooner than expected.

Welker has said he even hopes to be ready for Week 1 against the Bengals. He has not missed a day of camp and participated in full-contact drills.

Still, for a player that relies heavily on his route running and cutting, one has to wonder how affective Welker will be and when he will be at full strength, physically and mentally.

5. What does the future hold for Tom Brady?

Tom Brady’s contract situation has been the biggest story of the Patriots’ offseason.

The franchise quarterback is in the final year of his contract and the future isn’t so clear.

While he is the face of the team, the two sides have not been able to agree on an extension. Currently he is scheduled to make $6.5 million this season, well-below the price-tag of other elite quarterbacks. The biggest factor in extending Brady’s deal is the uncertainty of labor negotiations for next season and what contract stipulations and changes could come from a new collective bargaining agreement.

Another factor, although not nearly as pressing as the labor issues, is that Peyton Manning and Drew Brees’ deals are also set to expire and the New England brass could be waiting to see what the market price for the top-three quarterbacks in the league will be.

Still, Brady, most likely, isn’t going anywhere.

Owner Robert Kraft has said, “He’s going to be here.”

Brady himself has expressed that he wants to continue playing for a long time and that it’s every player’s desire to retire with the team that drafted the individual.

And if no extension is agreed on?

Brady is too much of a professional to allow it to become a distraction. He has yet to voice his displeasure. Also, players are known to have career years at the end of their deals, attempting to cash in on a strong campaign.

By Dan Massar: YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer

If only it was 2000.

Not because that was the summer of the first  season of “Survivor.”  Not because it gave us the epic drama that was Bush vs. Gore.  And not because it gave us Julia Roberts showing off her goods in Erin Brockovich.

Too bad it’s not 2000 for the sake of the Boston Celtics because they just signed NBA icon and future Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal to a two year contract.  He’s 38 years old now and has played 18 NBA seasons.  Ten years ago he was in the middle of his prime and was the best player on the planet.

Now he is a serviceable big man who gives the Celtics another big body to fill in for the injured Kendrick Perkins.  If his first name wasn’t Shaq, this move would be seen as a smart and safe move by Danny Ainge.  Last year he averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds in 23 minutes per game which are respectable numbers.  But when you know these are Shaq’s numbers you begin to reminisce about his dominant days in the 90’s and most of the 2000’s when he dominated the NBA.

Everyone knows Shaq is a huge personality and has clashed in the past with other superstars on his teams like Penny Hardaway in Orlando and Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles.  But if he can get along with his Celtics teammates and fully accepts his role player role, this could be a very good move for Boston.  Consider if Shaq had been on the roster during the NBA Finals.  Do you think the Celtics could have use him in game 7 against the Lakers with Perkins out?

Absolutely!  You can never have enough big bodies in the NBA.  Shaq is still the ultimate big body in the league.  He’s not a stud anymore, but he still can provide scoring and defense when called upon for his 20 minutes of playing time.

Shaq is coming to Boston.  This has a chance to work out very well for the Celtics.  Could it backfire?  Sure, but it’s worth the risks.  The Celtics matchups with the Heat, Lakers, and Magic (the Celtics three biggest competitors for next years NBA title and coincidentally all former Shaq teams) just got a lot more fun.

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies editor

Shaquille O’Neal might be heading to Boston. I’ve heard mixed reactions from Boston fans on this, but here is mine. NO. GOD NO. WHY?!?!?!

Six Reasons Shaq should go away, even if they are a bit of a stretch:

1. While I was raised a die-hard Boston fan, I grew up in Orlando, and spent much of my formative years hearing one thing about Shaquille O’Neal.  He can’t hit a free throw. This was true, and as I watched the man hurt more than help LeBron James last season, I realized he still can’t. He’s averaged .527% over career, and in 2009 was at .496% Even if these numbers aren’t horrendous, nobody that tall should frequently miss a set shot like that, right?

2. Having two O’Neal’s will be too confusing. Just like two Allen’s were. There apparently wasn’t room enough for Tony and Ray, and neither of them are as huge as Shaq…see what I’m getting at?

3. He’s 38. Our team is old enough. ‘Nuff said.

4. He didn’t help LeBron win a championship, so who’s to say he’ll help us win one?

5. He played for the Lakers. And Orlando. And Cleveland. All Rivals of the Celts.

6. This picture (see above). WTF is he a Genie? My first wish, is that you don’t come to Boston. K, thanks.

Okay, I guess I can’t come up with good enough reasons that Beantown should seriously run Shaq out of town. He probably will be good to have around while Perkins is recovering. He is REALLY big, which can’t hurt. And, as a friend of mine pointed out, he along with Big Baby and Nate Robinson will be pretty entertaining. It’ll be like Shrek’s Daddy, Shrek, and Donkey.

I also really LOVE the idea, via ESPNBoston, of calling him either the Green Monster or the Bigger Papi. I always thought “Shaq” was a dumb nickname.

By: Dan Podheiser, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer

Red Sox GM Theo Epstein did not make any big moves at the trading deadline.

Shipping reliever Ramon Ramirez to the Giants, bringing in once-promising minor league catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia from Texas and acquiring Eric Patterson from Oakland way back in late June were all shrewd moves by Epstein.

But they weren’t earth-shaking. They weren’t the kinds of moves that catapult a team that trails the two other best teams in baseball by over five games into first place.

All that said, Epstein believes that his current roster — which will eventually be healthy — has the ability to make a run at the Yankees and Rays for an AL playoff spot.

I have a tough time following that mindset. Boston is riddled by injuries, so much so that it’s been forced to call up minor leaguers like Ryan Kalish and Daniel Nava well before they probably should be.

So far, you have to give props to Epstein, Terry Francona and all of the Red Sox reserves in 2010 for the tremendous job they’ve done. With a win over the Indians on Tuesday night, Boston improved to 61-45, the sixth-best record in baseball. And that’s with a team that’s made up of half Boston Red sox and half Pawtucket Red Sox.

But it’s not enough, not in the AL East and certainly not in 2010. You’d have to believe that if the Red Sox were healthy, given the way they’ve been playing without many of their star players, they’d be right in the thick of things at the top of the league. But they’re not healthy.

And so, by not acquiring any big names before the July 31 trade deadline, Epstein signaled one thing to Red Sox nation: He’s not going to mortgage the future for a playoff race that may be impossible to win.

Epstein would have had to give up way too much to get an impact player like the Nationals’ Adam Dunn or Philadelphia’s Jayson Werth — who, to Epstein’s defense, became untradeable towards the end. And apparently, even adding a top bullpen arm, specifically one from Toronto (Scott Downs, Kevin Gregg or Jason Frasor), would have cost an arm and a leg.

You can’t really criticize Epstein for the way 2010 has played out, and therefore, you have to believe that his lack of action at the deadline was an adjustment to his initial plan for the season.

It’s easy to sit back and say that the Red Sox should have acquired Dunn or Werth or Downs. It’s even easier to decipher Boston’s inability to pull the trigger on a deal as a signal that this team is packing it in.

But Epstein’s not packing it in. Neither are Francona or the 25 guys who take the field every night, even if it’s a different group of players on a daily basis.

The Red Sox are going into the final two months of the season wounded and unarmed. If they make the playoffs, it will be one of the greatest feats ever by a proud, historic franchise. If they don’t, you’d be hard-pressed to say that the lack of a blockbuster trade before July 31 did them in.