COVERITLIVE.COM

11:51

Boston.com - Hi b.com chatters -- Chad will be here in about 10 minutes, but feel free to start submitting questions now.

12:04

Chad Finn - Hey gang . . . thanks for coming by. Before we get going here, there's one thing I need to say:

I told you the Sox should have dealt Masterson instead of Buchholz. Geez, what kind of numbskull would ever think it was a good idea to trade the guy who was on the mound last night?

(Looks around nervously . . .)

12:04

Chad Finn - OK, let's go . . .

12:05

[Comment From Guest]
A below average year for David Ortiz is a good year for a lot of other players?

12:07

Chad Finn - Well, I sort of agree with that. He's still near the bottom of the league in batting (.237) and the .331 on-base percentage isn't great. But given that he didn't hit his first homer until May 20, it's pretty amazing that he he's surpassed last year's numbers with 26 homers and 91 RBIs. I really hope he gets to 100 RBIs. That would a hell of a feat given how this season started.

12:08

[Comment From Joshua]
Nevermind the question of Tek catching Beckett- what do you think the Captain's chances of playing in the postseason are in general? With the way V-Mart's been playing... compared to Tek's... is there even a question?

12:11

Chad Finn - I still think he'll catch Beckett in Game 2 against the Angels. Beckett was okay against the Royals the other night, but he allowed 12 hits, and he's probably not entirely sold on the idea of VMart yet. I think Francona will appease him, with Varitek getting a couple of at-bats before someone -- anyone -- pinch-hits for him if need be in the later innings. I don't have that much of a problem with it, actually -- I don't mind Martinez getting a little extra rest, just as long as Tito gets Varitek -- who's hitting .156 with a .490 OPS in the second half -- out of the game whenever he is due at the plate in a late, key moment.

12:11

[Comment From Guest]
Are the Angels due to finally take a playoff series from the Red Sox?

12:13

Chad Finn - Wouldn't say they're due, but I don't put much stock in the "Sox own the Angels in the postseason" angle. Nothing that happened in the past should affect the Angels now unless they're a mentally weak club, and I don't think they are. The Sox are a slightly better club at the moment, IMO, but the Angels are tough, and I suspect they'll play the Sox tough. I just hope they run into a couple of key outs per game. That always helps the cause.

12:13

[Comment From Mike]
The way it's going I think I have more confidence in Buchholz than I do in Beckett. Beckett just doesn't seem right to me. Am I wrong?

12:16

Chad Finn - While I want to see Buchholz pitch in a big moment, I do sort of feel the same way, Mike. Beckett has been decent, but the only indication we have that he'll be a beast in the postseason is that he's done it in the past, and that's really not enough. Meanwhile, Buchholz has been one of the best pitchers in the league the last six weeks. In an ideal world, obviously, he'd keep it up and Beckett would find his midsummer mojo. But I don't COMPLETELY trust either of them just yet.

12:16

[Comment From Blogging Ryan]
I as well compared Buchholz start to Greinke's. Here's the question though. If Clay carries the way he has pitched through the playoffs. Do we need to trade for Felix or do we then try to make a run at a 1B or OF for power?

12:18

Chad Finn - Well, Ryan, it's probably safe to say that they're going to be considerably less willing to part with Buchholz in a megadeal this winter than they were at the deadline. He looks like the ace everyone hoped he would be. I imagine they'll do due diligence and inquire about King Felix again, and I still think there's a decent chance they get Gonzalez. But it's hard to believe Buchholz will be going anywhere at this point, given his development and salary.

12:18

[Comment From Bruinsfan]
I'm SOO PUMPED for the Bruins season to start. Are you with me?

12:18

[Comment From Joe]
Leading Bruins goal scorer this season? Ryder, Sturm, or Wheeler?

12:20

Chad Finn - Joe's with you, Bruins fan! Yes, I'm looking forward to it, though to pretend I'm a diehard would be transparent and phony. In my limited knowledge, it seems to me that Ryder may slip a little while Wheeler could take a major step forward after wearing out last season. But leading goal scorer? Hmmm. How about five guys tied at 20?

12:20

[Comment From Guest]
Have you changed your win total from the Patriots this season? And is even the most optimisitic Patriots fan realizing that this defense is not championship caliber?

12:23

Chad Finn - What was my win total, probably 12 or something? I still think that's reasonable, though that may change at 4 p.m. Sunday after Matt Ryan and that sneaky-stacked Falcons offense has its say. I'm not as down on the Pats D as a lot of people, though. They are MUCH faster than they were last year, and those pining for Bruschi, Vrabel, and Harrison are pining for the 2003 versions, not the guys who had lost noticeable speed and quickness last season. And I have pretty high hopes for the d-backs. Wilhite's had his moments, Butler is ridiculously quick, Meriweather keeps getting better according to Belichick . . . Yeah, there's been a changing of the guard. But it was necessary.

12:24

[Comment From Guest]
What's happened to Manny Delcarmen?

12:25

Chad Finn - Dunno, but I've seen about enough. He has too much talent to melt down as often as he does. Hate saying this about a local kid, but maybe he needs a change of scenery.

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