Author: @JamieGatlin1217

Expectations for a Healthy Tyler Thornburg

Expectations for a Healthy Tyler Thornburg

Posted by | May 4, 2018 | ,

When the Red Sox acquired Tyler Thornburg in the 2016 offseason, they envisioned him becoming a critical bullpen piece. Since the trade, Thornburg has not thrown a pitch for the Red Sox due to thoracic outlet syndrome in his right shoulder. The former Brewer could rejoin the Red Sox soon as he began his rehab assignment Monday. Thornburg was impressive in his first appearance considering the last time he pitched any kind of regular season game was in 2016. He could be a very welcomed addition to the Red Sox bullpen if he can return to his old form....

Read More
Grading the Bruins’ Game Two Performance

Grading the Bruins’ Game Two Performance

Posted by | May 2, 2018 | ,

@demalia_lorenzo Game Two Grade Much has been made about the officiating after the Bruins dropped game two. Most of that criticism is justified, as the Bruins were on the wrong side of some bad calls all night. But even if the officials did not stink up the place the Bruins were not the better team that night. Tampa took it to them all game long and out worked them in every aspect of the game. The Bruins did not have a shot on goal for most of the first period and were out shot 31-20 on the night. They...

Read More
Brock Holt’s 2018 Resurgence

Brock Holt’s 2018 Resurgence

Posted by | Apr 29, 2018 | ,

The Boston Red Sox acquired Brock Holt in the 2012 offseason. He quickly became a fan favorite due to his all out hustle. In 2014 he finished eighth in Rookie of the Year voting, and was an All-Star the following season. Since his breakout 2015 season, Holt’s averaged has dropped from .280 to a career low .200 last year. So far this season he has shown that his All-Star form may not be gone as it appeared to be. Holt’s Uncertain Spring Training When Spring Training began, Holt found himself in an odd position. For the first time since...

Read More
Bergeron’s Case for the Selke

Bergeron’s Case for the Selke

Posted by | Apr 23, 2018 | ,

Last Wednesday the finalists for the NHL Selke Trophy were announced and with little surprise, Patrice Bergeron was one of the three finalists. Bergeron has won the award four times and received votes for the award every year since the 2009-2010 season. Winning the award this year could cement Bergeron as the best two-way forward in NHL history, as he is now tied with Canadiens great Bob Gainey for four Selke Trophies. The Selke Trophy is given to the forward who excels in the defensive aspects of the game. Winning it this year will not be easy as the...

Read More
Celtics Youth Impressing in the Playoffs

Celtics Youth Impressing in the Playoffs

Posted by | Apr 18, 2018 | ,

Celtics Youth Stepping Up The Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics have played two games in their playoff series. The Celtics have won both and made one thing apparent. Their young players won’t let expectations determine how far this team will go. They will be without Gordon Hayward, Kyrie Irving, and Daniel Theis until next season. In the first two games Brown, Tatum, and Rozier have stepped up, showing that the young Celtics are ready to lead this team. Expectations Coming At the start of the season the Celtics had title aspirations. As injuries depleted this team, expectations of a...

Read More
Bruins Dominate Game 2

Bruins Dominate Game 2

Posted by | Apr 16, 2018 | ,

Offense Carries Bruins in Game Two In Game 1 the Bruins dominated the Maple Leafs. Game 2 was no different, as they were fueled by a special performance by David Pastrnak. In the first two games of the series the Black and Gold have outscored Toronto 12-4. They have been explosive offensively and almost automatic on the power play. Game 2, however, belonged to a Pastrnak. In the playoffs legends are made, and through two games it seems like this could be a historic playoff run for the twenty one year old forward. Dominating Early In Game 2 the Bruins took...

Read More
Bruins Take Game One

Bruins Take Game One

Posted by | Apr 13, 2018 | ,

Bruins Heading Into Game One Last night the Bruins began their playoff series with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Black and Gold did not finish the regular season strong. However, they did not let that affect them, as they won Game One 5-1. The Bruins got goals from five different players and capitalized on their power play opportunities. The Bruins played with grit and toughness in their playoff opener. This lead to an impressive win in front of their home crowd. Capitalizing on the Power Play Of the five goals the Bruins scored, three of them came on the...

Read More
The Sizzling 2018 Start for Mookie Betts

The Sizzling 2018 Start for Mookie Betts

Posted by | Apr 11, 2018 | ,

Betts’s 2017 Season At age 23 following a monster 2016 season, it seemed as if Mookie Betts was ready to take over baseball. Last year, Mookie had a down year compared to his 2016 season. His average dropped by fifty four points. He was still able to drive in over a hundred runs, which for most players would be considered a very good year. For the Red Sox right fielder it was a disappointing year by his standards, but through this season’s first ten games he has been on fire. Photo Credit: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images 2018 Season for Betts so...

Read More
Playoff Preview: Boston vs. Toronto

Playoff Preview: Boston vs. Toronto

Posted by | Apr 10, 2018 | ,

How the Regular Season Ended The Bruins’ regular season didn’t end as many would have liked. They lost four of their last five games, including their regular season finale with first place on the line. The Bruins did not show the same dominance they had earlier in the season. This has left some wondering if they should be worried about this team with the playoffs set to begin Thursday against Toronto. Injury Bug As the Bruins’ season came to a close, it seemed as if everyone was battling an injury. There is a good chance the Bruins will see...

Read More
Boston’s Amazing Head Coaching Success

Boston’s Amazing Head Coaching Success

Posted by | Apr 5, 2018 | , , ,

2018 Success of Boston Head Coaching For a sports city it is rare for all teams to be playoff contenders. For Boston, that has become the norm, and 2017-2018 has been no different. The Red Sox have started the season 5-1. The Patriots lost in the Superbowl, and the Bruins and Celtics are playoff bound. A big reason for this amazing success is the heading coaching of these teams. Each has their own style, but has created high expectations and have impressed in their respective circles. Photo Credit: John Tlumacki/ Globe Staff Patriots Head Coach: Bill Belichick In describing...

Read More
Early Impressions of the Red Sox Starters

Early Impressions of the Red Sox Starters

Posted by | Apr 3, 2018 | ,

Red Sox Starters so Far Through the season’s first few games, the Red Sox are 4-1. They’ve received great pitching from their bullpen and starters. Their offense has been good, but a few players are off to slow starts. The big three of this Sox rotation, which had many questions, has been dominant. The Red Sox starters so far have shown why pitching could be this team’s strength. Question Marks for the Red Sox Starters Entering the season the Red Sox Rotation had two big questions. Could David Price return to his dominant form? Also, which Rick Porcello would...

Read More
Bruins Extend Their Captain

Bruins Extend Their Captain

Posted by | Mar 28, 2018 | ,

Bruins Captain Gets Extension Early Wednesday afternoon the Boston Bruins gave their longtime captain Zdeno Chara a one year extension. This most likely means the end is soon for Chara. The Black and Gold are playoff bound, and for Chara it could be one of his last runs. This extension means the Bruins captain will most likely finish his career in Boston; a fitting ending for their longest tenured player. Photo Credit: Harry How/Getty Images Chara’s Early Days Chara came to the Bruins as a free agent in the 2006 season. The Bruins signed him to a five year...

Read More
2018 Outlook for Brian Johnson

2018 Outlook for Brian Johnson

Posted by | Mar 27, 2018 | ,

Injured Starters With Injuries to Drew Pomeranz and Eduardo Rodriguez, left-hander Brian Johnson will start the season in the rotation. He was expected to start the season in the bullpen since he is out of options. It has been a long and difficult road for Johnson. The Red Sox drafted him in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft 31st overall. Johnson was once considered a top prospect. He seemed poised for big things after going 10-2 in his second season in the minors. Since then, he has not had any easy road to the big leagues. Now he...

Read More
Sam Travis at a Crossroads Entering 2018

Sam Travis at a Crossroads Entering 2018

Posted by | Mar 21, 2018 | ,

Spring Training so Far for Sam Travis Last year the Red Sox had high hopes for Sam Travis. He hit well in the minors, and by some was seen as the first baseman of the future. That’s not how 2017 season went, and a year later Travis is unlikely to break camp with the Red Sox. He is blocked at first base by Hanley Ramirez and Mitch Moreland, who the Sox resigned to a two year deal in the offseason. The Red Sox have not given up on the Indiana product. He will need to bounce back at the...

Read More
The Emergence of Riley Nash

The Emergence of Riley Nash

Posted by | Mar 20, 2018 | ,

2018 Season so Far This year the Boston Bruins have been led by their youth. The young players have come as advertised and propelled the Bruins to the top of the Eastern Conference. Riley Nash doesn’t fall under that category. He is in his seventh NHL season, but he’s been key this year. Through seventy games he has a career high of 15 goals and 25 assists. He’s stepped up when the Bruins needed him the most and been key for this team. Like the other veterans on this team he’s complemented the rookies well and is quietly having...

Read More
2018 Outlook for Rick Porcello

2018 Outlook for Rick Porcello

Posted by | Mar 13, 2018 | ,

Porcello’s Career in Boston so Far Rick Porcello has experienced his fair share of highs and lows since arriving in Boston. The Red Sox acquired him in the winter of 2014 from the Tigers in exchange for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. In his first season following the trade, Porcello had fifteen loses and ERA of almost five. His second year in Boston was the complete opposite, as he won twenty-two games and the AL Cy Young award. Last year he struggled again and was unable to repeat his Cy Young performance. He lost a career high seventeen games and again had...

Read More
Why 2018 Could Be David Price’s Best

Why 2018 Could Be David Price’s Best

Posted by | Mar 12, 2018 | ,

Price’s Red Sox Career so Far 2018 will be a year that will define David Price’s career. Since he signed with the Red Sox prior to the 2016 season, things haven’t gone as planned. Price won seventeen games in his first year in Boston, but had an ERA of 3.99 and struggled in his only postseason start. Last year he was injured for the majority of the season and clashed with the media. People started to question his character and if he should stay in Boston. He returned in the playoffs as a reliever and was dominant. He came...

Read More
Injury Bug Could Define Bruins’ Season

Injury Bug Could Define Bruins’ Season

Posted by | Mar 7, 2018 | ,

Injury Bug Hits Bruins So far this season the Bruins have delivered more than many expected. They were not supposed to be one of the best teams in the NHL. The youth has arrived and exceeded all expectations. The Stretch that will truly define them is now. The injury bug has hit the Bruins, as they will be without Charlie McAvoy and Patrice Bergeron for the next few weeks. Tuukka Rask should be back soon, but he’s missed the last two games. So far, without their two top players the Bruins have done well, and even though it hasn’t always...

Read More
Irving Poised to Lead the Celtics

Irving Poised to Lead the Celtics

Posted by | Mar 2, 2018 | ,

First Half In Kyrie Irving’s last nine games, the superstar point guard has averaged twenty-five points a game. This has been a crucial stretch for the Celtics, as before the All-Star Break they looked lost. Since the break the Celtics are 4-0 and look like a different team. Irving, to no surprise, has stepped up his game. One of the reasons why Irving wanted out of Cleveland was to lead his own team. Ever since the Celtics acquired him he has become the face of the franchise. With the injury to fellow star Gordon Hayward in the first game...

Read More
A Healthy Rask Will Be Key for Bruins

A Healthy Rask Will Be Key for Bruins

Posted by | Feb 27, 2018 | ,

Final Stretch As the season winds down, it will be crucial that the Bruins keep Tuukka Rask fresh. This will allow him to be at his best in big games down the stretch and in the playoffs. That is why Anton Khudobin’s play becomes critical for the remainder of the season. Rask and the Bruins have not advanced past the first round of the playoffs since the 2013-2014 season. This year they are one of the best teams in the league and seem poised to break that streak. Being able to rest Rask will be essential, something the Bruins...

Read More
2018 Outlook for Drew Pomeranz

2018 Outlook for Drew Pomeranz

Posted by | Feb 24, 2018 | ,

Boston Trades for Drew Pomeranz In July of the 2016 season the Red Sox acquired Drew Pomeranz from the San Diego Padres. The Sox gave up Anderson Espinoza, their top pitching prospect who had received comparisons to Pedro Martinez. At first it seemed like Dombrowski made a mistake as his new pitcher struggled. Pomeranz was in the midst of breakout season with San Diego, but in 14 games with Boston he had a 4.59 ERA. Last year he rebounded by winning 17 games with an ERA of 3.32. Pomeranz will be looking to build on that success in 2018....

Read More
Bruins Acquire Holden from Rangers

Bruins Acquire Holden from Rangers

Posted by | Feb 21, 2018 | ,

Bruins Acquire Holden Yesterday the Bruins acquired a defenseman from the New York Rangers, but his name is not Ryan McDonagh. The Bruins traded for Nick Holden from the Rangers in exchange for Rob O’Gara and a third-round pick in the 2018 draft. So far this season he has three goals and nine assists. O’Gara didn’t seem to have a future with the Bruins. He has spent the majority of the season in the AHL and has only appeared in eight games for the Bruins. Photo Credit: Brad Penner- USA TODAY Sports Rangers Fire Sale Begins Holden is not...

Read More
Al Horford- Underappreciated Big Man

Al Horford- Underappreciated Big Man

Posted by | Feb 18, 2018 | ,

How Al Horford Came to Boston The Celtics signed Al Horford to four-year max deal prior to the 2016-2017 season. Since then Horford has been everything the Celtics were expecting. So far in his Celtics career he has averaged 13.7 points a game, while improving his three-point shooting. Horford hasn’t been the best player on the planet, but that’s not what the Celtics pictured. This year he made his first All-Star game as a Celtic, but many have said he is overrated. Al deserves an All-Star nod and has been crucial to the Celtics’ success the last two seasons....

Read More
2018 is a Critical Year for Rodriguez

2018 is a Critical Year for Rodriguez

Posted by | Feb 10, 2018 | ,

What a Healthy E Rod Would Mean When the Red Sox acquired Eduardo Rodriguez for Andrew Miller, he was a top prospect. In his first year in Boston he impressed, going 10-6 as a rookie. In his MLB debut against the Texas Rangers he threw seven and two thirds scoreless innings. The Sox were in the middle of a lost year and he was seen as the future. Since that season Eduardo has struggled with health and performance. He’s shown flashes of the talent that once had him projected as a top of the rotation starter, but has not...

Read More
Mitchell Could Make a Big Impact in 2018

Mitchell Could Make a Big Impact in 2018

Posted by | Feb 7, 2018 | ,

2018 Preview Going into next season the Patriots will be more motivated than ever after Sunday’s Super bowl loss. They are the favorites to win it all next year and will see the return of key players who were injured all this season. This list includes Donta Hightower, Martellus Bennett, Julian Edelman, and Malcolm Mitchell. After an excellent rookie season in 2016, Mitchell’s return could be big and would make the Patriots even deeper. Photo Credit: Tyler Sullivan Mitchell’s 2016 Season The Patriots drafted Mitchell out of Georgia in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft. As a...

Read More