Lambert honored by NESCAC

Though it was a lost season in the standings, 2019 was an important year for Xander Bogaerts on the field and in the clubhouse. 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Charlie Morton to the rescue, again.

Around the Horn is a weekly column from Chris Mason, where the Eagle-Tribune beat writer offers nine thoughts from the Red Sox clubhouse and around Major League Baseball.

A day after Red Sox pitchers were given their maybe-the-dog-ate-it report card, it’s the hitters’ turn. The marks are generally less painful, but there are still some serious highs and lows here, too. 

The Red Sox weren’t expecting to be dismissed this early, but they’re stuck watching other teams play October baseball from afar. After reviewing the work they submitted, it’s time to see who made the grade.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Yandy Diaz slugged baseball’s lowest spender into a matchup with mighty Houston, Charlie Morton silenced the powerful Athletics on the mound, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Oakland at its own game 5-1 in the AL wild-card round Wednesday night.

Ch. 4’s UCLA connection

Though the Red Sox are resigned to watching from their respective couches, the MLB playoffs kick off Tuesday night, and it's primed to be a wild October. Here are Eagle-Tribune beat writer Chris Mason's predictions from the Wild Card to the World Series: AL WILD CARDTampa Bay v. OaklandWinner: Tampa Bay

Though the Red Sox are resigned to watching from their respective couches, the MLB playoffs kick off Tuesday night, and it's primed to be a wild October.

Kimbrel strikes out

BOSTON — Getting under the luxury tax in 2020 may be a short-term goal, but the Red Sox front office is keeping the long game in mind — even if they add a little payroll to do so. 

BOSTON — As Mookie Betts touched home plate to end the Red Sox season, J.D. Martinez became the more interesting ballplayer in Boston. 

BOSTON — If this was Mookie Betts’ final moment in a Red Sox uniform, it ended fittingly. 

BOSTON — Eduardo Rodriguez missed out on a 20-win season when Boston’s bullpen blew a late lead, but the Red Sox rallied to beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 in their season finale Sunday on Mookie Betts’ ninth-inning dash home.

BOSTON — Game 161 was another one to forget for the Red Sox. 

BOSTON — The writing isn’t just on the wall.

BOSTON — John Henry made waves with his desire to slash salary, but there was more news in ownership's Friday afternoon press conference than that alone. 

BOSTON — News dumps are often saved for Friday afternoons. 

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mike Minor finally got the 200th strikeout he wanted so badly, on a borderline pitch right after the Texas Rangers purposely let a foul pop drop in the ninth inning.

A free agent at season's end, uncertainty awaits Rick Porcello.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Christian Vázquez, Mitch Moreland and Rafael Devers homered, and Rick Porcello won what could be his final start for Boston as the Red Sox beat the Texas Rangers 10-3 Wednesday night.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Eduardo Rodriguez labored through five innings to get his 19th win, allowing more runs than he had in his previous seven starts combined, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Texas Rangers 12-10 on Tuesday.

Around the Horn is a weekly column from Chris Mason, where the Eagle-Tribune beat writer offers nine thoughts from the Red Sox clubhouse.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A former teammate created a speed bump for the playoff-contending Tampa Bay Rays.

Both grandfather Carl Yastrzemski and grandson Mike knew it was coming, Sept. 17-19, when the Red Sox would play three games against the visiting San Francisco Giants.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Nate Lowe hit a two-run homer in the 11th inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 5-4 on Saturday night to move one game ahead of Cleveland for the second AL wild card.

J.D. Martinez doesn’t believe he got the respect he deserved during his first real foray into free agency.

Five years ago (Sept. 20, 2014), our beloved colleague Joe Murphy died.

BOSTON — The tantalizing potential has been talked about since Eduardo Rodriguez arrived in Boston. 

BOSTON — Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts provided the offense, Eduardo Rodriguez was excellent, and the Red Sox knocked off the Giants, 5-4, in yesterday’s series finale. 

Yaz foul caught by Andoverite

BOSTON — The Red Sox may be playing uninspired baseball, but history was still made at Fenway Park last night. 

BOSTON — Two hours before Jhoulys Chacin gave up a first-inning home run at Fenway Park, Alex Cora confirmed something that was growing increasingly obvious. 

BOSTON — He may be 80 years old, but Carl Yastrzemski can still wing it like a ballplayer.

BOSTON — If you're wondering why expanded September rosters are going the way of the dodo, look no further than Tuesday night's marathon — errr, Wednesday morning's marathon at Fenway Park. 

BOSTON — At its core, baseball is supposed to be cause for celebration. 

BOSTON — For the first time in 36 years, a Yastrzemski broke into a home run trot at Fenway Park.

Carl Yastrzemski is a living baseball legend with a Triple Crown season (1967) and a 23-year, Hall of Fame career on his resume.

Around the Horn is a weekly column from Chris Mason, where the Eagle-Tribune beat writer offers nine thoughts from the Red Sox clubhouse.

PHILADELPHIA — A little lunchtime wisdom served Christian Vazquez well.