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And my favorite... Me hanging out with Ortiz.

.....and a few more.

Here's a few photos of my time in Florida this year at spring training.

Hello SOTN fans,
We at State of the Nation have decided to make a switch from Facebook to a more traditional blog setting. Feel free to follow us on our new site, where we will be constantly posting articles about our beloved Sox. Thank you and GO Sox!

What can we expect from the Sox after 7 games? The 2016 Red Sox season has been a rollercoaster ride so far, even though they have only played a grand total of 7 games. The Sox have blown leads and came from behind to win multiple times. Even though the Sox have lost 4 times, the games have been very entertaining so far. They have shown signs of…

Lineup vs TOR
Game time is 1:35 pm

1.Pedroia 2B
2.Holt 1B
3.Ramirez LF
4.Ortiz DH
5.Bogaerts SS
6.Sandoval 3B
7.De Aza RF
8.Castillo CF
9.Swihart C
SP:Rodriguez LHP

After two tough losses to the Jays the Sox are looking to bounce back and get a win to avoid the sweep. A few shaking outings by Matt Barnes have got him optioned back to AAA allowing for first baseman Travis Shaw to be recalled prior to this afternoons game. If today's starter, Eduardo Rodriguez, can provide another solid outing and the bats get going for the Sox expect to see a motivated team heading down to Turner Field for a two game series against the Braves.

How many runs will the Red Sox lose by today? They may win with Erod the rookie phenom on the mound. I think even a 20-0 Sox win today is Mr. Farells last game. However, who do you replace him with? I can't stand him, he's obnoxious, and painful to listen to. But Guillen is the kick in the ass this team needs. Not long term just for the rest of this season. But I say give him a call and have him here kicking s**t around that clubhouse and make these guys remember what its like to be hungry, and want to play. This team is so disconnected I really think this guy is the answer. Jeff

Lineup @ TOR
Game time is 7:07

1.Betts CF
2.Pedroia 2B
3.Sandoval 3B
4.Napoli DH
5.Nava RF
6.Craig LF
7.Swihart C
8.Bogaerts SS
9. Shaw 1B
SP:Miley LHP

The sox are opening a three game series against the Jays tonight, and these are just win games. There are several changes to the lineup tonight. Mike Napoli is now batting as DH tonight, replacing a suspended David Ortiz, Daniel Nava has replaced Brock Holt on RF, and Travis Shaw is making his debut this season, after being called up today to replace Edward Mujica, he is playing 1B. Let's go Sox!
-Kyle

Here are 10 AAA and AA pitchers that are all doing better than our current pitching rotation. Now obviously, the MiLB is much different than the MLB, but you can't deny that these guys are doing well and deserve a shot to prove themselves in the MLB, whether it's in the Bullpen or maybe even in the Rotation. Also, some of these players may have not fully developed yet, but I fully believe that they all deserve a chance.
-Kyle

BREAKING:
The have mad two important rider moves. The Red Sox have Designated RP Edward Mujica for Assignment. No one has been called up in his place, but rumors have said it could be AAA Pitcher Matt Barnes. In other news, the Sox have also relieved Pitching Coach Juan Nieves of his duties. There has been no word on his replacement yet.
-Kyle

Final: 5 3
W: Colome (2-0) L: Masterson (2-1) S: Boxberger (7)

Despite a late comeback in the 8th and 9th, the Red Sox could not get the win last night. Here are the notable batting stats from the game:
•Mookie Betts was 1-4 with a solo home run, his 3rd in the last two games.
•Dustin Pedroia was 1-4 with one RBI, and also had a great play in the field(pictured below).
•Blake Swihart was 1-4 and got his first MLB RBI on a double.
•Xander Bogaerts was 2-4.
•Pablo Sandoval was 1-3
•Mike Napoli was 1-4.

Here are the notable pitching stats from the game:
•Justin Masterson had a rough outing, only pitching 4.1 innings, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits, walking 6, and only striking out one.
•Edward Mujica pitched strong out of the pen, pitching 1.1 innings, allowing no runs on one hit and striking out one.
•Alexi Ogando pitched 1 inning, allowing 1 run on 1 hit and walking one.

***State of the Nation's Red Sox Three stars of the game***
1. Mookie Betts
2. Blake Swihart
3. Dustin Pedroia

Last night was the 7th time a Red Sox pitcher pitched less than 5 innings. This is the second highest in the league. This begs the question, Is our rotation filled with starters or long relievers? It is common knowledge that a starting pitcher is supposed to be in the game for 5 innings at least, but the Sox are failing to get it done. At this point, the Sox should really just call up some AAA guys *cough* Eduardo Rodriguez *cough*, and then maybe send a guy like Masterson, Miley, or maybe even Joe Kelly to the Bullpen. The Sox need to experiment so they can stop this slippery slope they are sliding down. Just like I said yesterday, the AAA guys are ready! Give them a chance!

-Kyle

Lineup tonight vs TB
Game time is 7:10

1.Betts CF
2.Pedroia 2B
3.Ortiz DH
4.Napoli 1B
5.Sandoval 3B
6.Craig LF
7.Holt RF
8.Bogaerts SS
9.Swihart C
SP:Masterson RHP

Tonight the Sox are looking to earn another win against the Rays. There are no changes to the Red Sox lineup for tonight. Let's go Sox!
-Kyle

Final: 2 0
W: Porcello (3-2) L: Smyly (0-1) S: Uehara (5)

The throwback uniforms really helped the Sox last night, as they ended their losing streak in a low scoring affair. Here are the notable batting stats from the game:
•Mookie Betts was 2-4 with the only two RBIs of the game, coming from two solo home runs(pictured below).
•David Ortiz was 1-4.
•Mike Napoli was 1-4.
•Allen Craig was 1-2.

Here are the notable pitching stats from last night's game:
•Rick Porcello had good outing, pitching 7.0 innings allowing 8 hits, no runs, no walks, and punching out 6.

***State of the Nation's Red Sox Three Stars of the Game***
1.Mookie Betts
2.Rick Porcello
3.Koji Uehara

The Sox finally earned a win last night, in what was a very low scoring but very important game. The Sox had no hits through the 5th inning until Mookie Betts launched his first homer of the game. Thankfully, Rick Porcello and the rest of the Bullpen managed to keep the shutout alive and those 2 runs ended up being winners. The bullpen has been sort of an unsung problem this year for the Sox. If a team has a rotation that struggles to put up 6 innings every game, the team would need a strong bullpen to help back them up and win the game. Unfortunately, the Sox bullpen isn't quite there yet. They need to get guys that are more dependable. At times, the bullpen has been just as bad as the rotation, with a few exceptions. The Sox don't need to go out and trade for new bullpen guys, all they need to do is to get some youngsters from AAA to pitch ere, like Eduardo Rodriguez, who is 3-0 and has a 1.82 ERA. They are young, talented, and looking for a chance to prove their worth. I say, why not give them a shot?
-Kyle

tonight vs. TB
Game time is 7:05

1.Betts CF
2.Pedroia 2B
3.Ortiz DH
4.Napoli 1B
5.Sandoval 3B
6.Craig LF
7.Holt RF
8.Bogaerts SS
9.Swihart C
SP:Porcello RHP

Happy 1975 World Series night! The Sox are in their throwback jerseys tonight and are desperately looking for a win. Allen Craig is in LF replacing injured Hanley Ramirez. Sandy Leon is on the bench and Blake Swihart is back behind the plate. Let's go Sox!

-Kyle

Final: 5 1
W: Odorizzi (3-2) L: Buchholz (1-4)

The Sox continued their losing streak and dropped to last place in the AL East. Here are the notable Red Sox batting stats from last nights game:
•Brock Holt was 2-4.
•Xander Bogaerts was 1-3 and had an RBI Triple.
•Dustin Pedroia was 1-3.
•David Ortiz was 1-4.
•Allen Craig was 1-4.
•Mookie Betts was 1-4.

Here are the notable pitching stats from the game:
•Clay Buchholz had a tough outing, pitching 6.1 innings, allowing 5 runs on 9 hits, walking 2 and striking out 7.
•Craig Breslow pitched 2 innings and only allowed one hit.

***State of the Nation's Red Sox Three Stars of the Game***
1.Xander Bogaerts
2.Brock Holt
3.Craig Breslow

The Sox had another disappointing display on the mound and behind the plate. The Sox have now dropped 4 in a row and are last in the AL East, only 1 game behind the Rays. The Sox are in a lot of trouble especially after Hanley Ramirez collided with the wall in LF, causing him to injure his shoulder(pictured below). The Sox lineup is in trouble because Han Ram was a significant part of the power in the lineup. This gives guys like Allen Craig and Daniel Nava a chance to step up their game and show us what they have got. These two will need to preform when they play because it is difficult to replace Hanley in the lineup and the nation's patience is running thin with them. If they can succeed in his absence, then maybe they can secure a spot on the roster.

-Kyle

Final: 8 5
W: Warren (2-1) L: Kelly (1-1) S:Miller (10)

The Sox were unable to prevent a sweep at home against the Yankees. Here are the notable batting stats from yesterday's game:
•Mike Napoli was 1-3 with a 3 RBI home run(pictured below).
•David Ortiz was 1-4 with an RBI.
•Pablo Sandoval was 1-4 with an RBI.
•Hanley Ramirez was 1-3 and was hit by a pitch.

Here are the notable pitching stats from the game:
•Joe Kelly had a rough outing, going 4.2 innings, allowing 5 runs on 9 hits, walking no one, and striking out 3.
•Craig Breslow was unsuccessful on the mound as well. He was unable to record an out, giving up 3 hits, one of which was a 3 run home run.
•Dalier Hinojosa made his Red Sox debut last night, pitching 1.2 innings, allowing no hits or runs, walking 3 and striking out 2.

***State of the Nation's Three Red Sox Stars of the Game***
1. Mike Napoli
2.David Ortiz
3. Dalier Hinojosa

The Sox bats were mostly quiet again in the loss yesterday. The only inning when they were actually able to produce was in the 5th, where the Sox got all five of there runs. The pitching was also not at its strongest last night. Ever since his first start against the Yankees, Joe Kelly's starts have gotten gradually worse. This must improve if the Sox want to actually start winning games. This is also true for every pitcher in the Sox rotation. The sox have the worst team ERA in baseball. That is just humiliating. The organization really needs to reconsider our current rotation and start thinking about possible ways to change it, because at this rate, we won't even be wild card contenders.

-Kyle

lineup tonight vs NYY
Game time is 8:05
1.Betts CF
2.Pedroia 2B
3.Ortiz DH
4.Ramirez LF
5.Sandoval 3B
6.Napoli 1B
7.Nava RF
8.Bogaerts SS
9.Swihart C
SP:Kelly RHP

The Sox will look to at least get one win against the Yankees this series. There is only one change, that is that Daniel Nava is now playing RF instead of Brock Holt. Joe Kelly will also look to have another dominant outing against the Yankees. Let's go Sox!
-Kyle

Final: 4 2
W: Eovaldi (2-0) L: Miley (1-3) S: Bentances (1)

Blake Swihart's debut was not as spectacular as the nation would have hoped, as the Sox dropped their 3rd straight game between the Yankees and the Sox. Here are the notable batting stats from the game:
•Mookie Betts went 1-4 with an RBI that was nearly a home run.
•Dustin Pedroia was 1-4 with a solo home run.
•Blake Swihart was 1-3 and got his first MLB hit in his debut(pictured below).
•David Ortiz was 2-4.
•Pablo Sandoval was 2-4.

Here are the notable pitching stats from today's game:
•Wade Miley pitched 7 innings, allowing 3 Runs on 7 hits, walking no one, and striking out 3.
•Alexi Ogando pitched 1.1 innings, allowing 1 run on two hits, and striking out 2.

***State of the Nation's Red Sox Three Stars of the Game***
1.Dustin Pedroia
2.Pablo Sandoval
3.David Ortiz

Blake Swihart did a decent job at the plate and a great job behind the plate in his MLB debut. Wade Miley also arguably had one of his best starts today, unfortunately the Sox bats weren't in it today. This was mostly due to a superb start by Yankees pitcher Nathan Eovaldi. It's games like these that are the games that Red Sox absolutely need to win. The Yankees and the Orioles are the Sox's number one competition for the AL East Pennant, so the sox need to start beating them because these are the games that really matter.

-Kyle

Lineup vs NYY today
Game time is 1:35
1.Betts CF
2.Pedroia 2B
3.Ortiz DH
4.Ramirez LF
5.Sandoval 3B
6.Napoli 1B
7.Holt RF
8.Bogaerts SS
9.Swihart C
SP:Miley LHP

The Blake Swihart era has begun! The catching prospect was recalled from AAA yesterday, where he was batting well over .300, to replaced the injured Ryan Hanigan. Also, Brock Holt is replacing Allen Craig in RF. Let's go Sox and good luck Blake!
-Kyle

Final: 4 1
W: Porcello (2-2) L: Dickey (0-3) S: Uehara (4)

The Sox have won yet another series this season, going 2-1 against the Jays who are last in the AL East. Here are the notable Red Sox batting stats from the game:
•Hanley Ramirez was 1-4 with 2 RBIs coming from a 2 run home run, which was his 10th of the year.
•Mookie Betts was 1-4 with 1 RBI and also made a fantastic catch to rob what would have been extra bases(pictured below).
•David Ortiz was 2-4 with 1 RBI.
•Dustin Pedroia was 2-4.

Here are the notable Red Sox pitching stats from tonight:
•Rick Porcello had a quality start today, pitching 7 innings, allowing one run on two hits, walking two, and striking out 6.
•Koji Uehara struck out the side in the 9th to get his 4th save.

***State of the Nation's Red Sox Three Stars Game***
1.Hanley Ramirez
2.Rick Porcello
3.Mookie Betts

Rick Porcello and the Red Sox got it done tonight, bouncing back after a tough loss last night. Porcello showed promise today by managing to go 7 innings without any disaster innings. In his last starts, he normally has been solid but has that one inning when the game runs away from him, but tonight that was different. He remained in control and dominated the Jays. We got to the best of Porcello tonight, during a time when "the best" is the last thing one would expect from the Sox's pitchers. The sox need to start looking to find replacements for their struggles on the mound, whether it is DFAing some pitchers or through trading. One would hope that our current rotation will not be the one we end with this year, maybe by adding some new pitchers through trades to strengthen the rotation. Who do you want the Sox to target?

-Kyle

lineup tonight vs TOR
Game Time is 6:10

1.Betts CF
2.Pedroia 2B
3.Ortiz DH
4.Ramirez LF
5.Sandoval 3B
6.Napoli 1B
7.Holt RF
8.Bogaerts SS
9.Hanigan C
SP: Porcello RHP

Aaaaaannnnnd we're back! State of the Nation was on a temporary hiatus for spring break, but have no fear, we're back. While we were the gone the Sox won and lost in the 9th several several times, and gave up 18 runs to the O's. Mike Napoli has returns to the lineup tonight and replaces Daniel Nava at First Base. Let's go Red Sox!
-Kyle

FINAL
10 5
W: Gio Gonzalez (1-0) L: Wade Miley (0-1)

The way of the K was abundant on the box score for the Sox as we saw every player but newly acquired catcher Sandy Leon fall victim. Nats pitching combined for 12 strikeouts, including five from Martin who only faced 7 hitters, making his MLB debut at the age of 30 this afternoon. This game is one the Sox would love to put behind them as there were only two true bright spots worth mentioning.

•Pedroia went 2-4 today boosting his average back up to .300 on the year joining only 1 other starter, Xander Bogaerts, who is batting .382
•Craig Breslow stayed hot tonight once again proving to be a reliable bullpen pitcher by not allowing a hit in his 2 innings pitched

Multiple players of the Washington Nationals impressed fans today including Bryce Harper and Wilson Ramos recording two hits each in 4 and 5 at bats respectively while they also received 3 innings of scoreless relief from Martin and Storen who combined to strike out 6 in a combined 3 innings.

***State Of The Nation's Three Stars Of The Game***
1. Rafael Martin
2. Wilson Ramos
3. Bryce Harper
HM: Dustin Pedroia

The Sox were simply out played today by the struggling Nationals. This marks the second time this season that the Sox have failed to complete the sweep in game 3 of a series, first coming against the Yankees. Although both pitchers had rough outings Gonzalez come out with the win today bringing his record up to 1-0 while handing Miley his first loss in a Sox uniform. The Sox need to play their hearts out each and every game if they believe they have a shot at winning it all this year, no matter where a team places in the standings or how many times we have beaten them. This is a game to be forgotten and the Sox must prepare as the O's come into town this Friday.

-Andrew

lineup today vs WSH
Game time is 1:35

1.Betts CF
2.Pedroia 2B
3.Ramirez LF
4.Craig 1B
5.Napoli DH
6.Victorino RF
7.Bogaerts SS
8.Holt 3B
9.Leon C
SP: Miley LHP

The sox have made several changes to their lineup. David Ortiz is sitting out today, so Mike Napoli is now the DH and Allen Craig is filling in for him at first. Shane Victorino and Xander Bogaerts have both returned to the lineup for tonight's game. Sandy Leon is back behind the plate, replacing Ryan Hanigan. Lastly, Brock Holt is now playing 3B in place of injured Pablo Sandoval who was hit in the foot by a pitch yesterday. Wade Miley is making his Fenway Park Debut this afternoon. Let's go Sox!

-Kyle

FINAL
8 7
W: Edward Mujica (1-0) L: Blake Treinen (0-1) S: Koji Uehara (1)

The Sox some how managed to get the W last night despite a rough start from Justin Masterson. The Win mostly came down to poor defending by the Nationals, which lead to the Sox scoring 3 runs without getting a hit. Here are the Red Sox notable batting stats.

•Mookie Betts was 1-5 with a 2 RBI double. He also had a stolen base.
•Dustin Pedroia was 3-4 with a solo Home run. He was also given his Golden Glove award last night(pictured below).
•Daniel Nava was 1-3 with an RBI.
•Ryan Hanigan was 1-4 with an RBI.
•Brock Holt was 2-4 with an RBI.

Here are the notable pitching stats from last night:
•Justin Masterson had a rocky return to Fenway last night, pitching only 4.2 innings, allowing 7 Earned Runs on 8 hits, waking three, and punching out 4.
•Edward Mujica pitched 1.1 inning, allowed no hits or walks, and struck out 2. He later earned the win.

***State Of The Nation's Three Stars Of The Game***
1.Dustin Pedroia
2. Brock Holt
3.Edward Mujica

Did the Sox truly deserve a win last night? Who knows, but they won so I'm not even mad. The Sox struggled on defense in the middle innings but as usual, the offense backed it up. 8-7 will be a fairly common score line for this season, because our offense will get plenty of runs and unfortunately, our pitching has struggled to keep it up. Obviously it doesn't matter too much because the Sox keep winning, but questions should be asked about our pitching and defense. Can they support this offensive heavy team? Can you win a Word Series with only offense? Only time will tell.

-Kyle

lineup today vs WSH
Game time is 6:05

1.Betts CF
2.Pedroia 2B
3.Ortiz DH
4.Ramirez LF
5.Sandoval 3B
6.Napoli 1B
7.Nava RF
8.Hanigan C
9.Holt SS
SP: Masterson RHP

The Sox have a similar lineup to the one that won on opening day yesterday. Despite going 3-4, Sandy Leon is on the bench tonight and Ryan Hanigan is in. Daniel Nava and Brock Holt replace Shane Victorino and Xander Bogaerts tonight as well. Have no fear Sox fans, Hanley Ramirez is in the lineup after leaving the game after he fouled a ball off his leg. Let's go Sox!
-Kyle