jb: What has happened to Jason Varitek?? Hitting was bad enough now he's having trouble catching the ball???

Tony Massarotti: the masterson PB was one thing, but he should have handled that pitch last night, no question. clearly, he is frustrated on a number of levels - starting with being pinch-hit for...

sox0808: Maz- in your opinion do the sox resign tek or make a trade- and is lugo and coco traded as well

Tony Massarotti: well, it seems to me that they may have no choice on varitek - they need a catcher. tough to find a taker for lugo and crisp has limited trade value. clearly, they could use another big bat because ortiz isn't the same player anymore, either...

J_OB: With Lars Anderson coming up in the Red Sox farm system, where do you see Mike Lowell in 2010?

Tony Massarotti: with all due respect, it's hard to project much beyond 2009 at moment...

sox0808: what does Tito have against Sean Casey?

Tony Massarotti: doesn't seem to trust him defensively, which i can't blame him for. also, take a good look at casey's numbers. what good is a .32s average if it doesn't produce runs? to me, that looks like a lot of singles from a guy with little power who cannot run....

Billy: Hi Tony....Sox are out of it this year.....too many injuries...don't you think

Tony Massarotti: injuries worried me from the start of this postseason. that's why i picked the angels and then the rays. negativity has nothing to do with it. sox have great character, as the angels series proved....

Brendan: you are hands down the fastest person i have ever seen hop onto and off a band wagon when a team is going good, your all for it, and when a team hiccups, you are the most negative writer

Tony Massarotti: please explain?

ss: do you think winning today's game is important enough that we pitch Disuke M tonight and pitch Wake tomorrow and hope bullpen is better rested ?

Tony Massarotti: matsuzaka threw a side session yesterday, so there's no way he's pitching tonight. really, what good will it do to flip-flop them?

Al_Ruechel: Hi Toni. I'm a TV anchor in Tampa Bay. It seems when both clubs focus on the long ball they both lose their ability to chip away at a team's lead. Do you every talk about not swinging for the walls and go for the single and doubles that do add up in the end?

Tony Massarotti: al - first of all, it's tony with a Y....

Tony Massarotti: secondly ... the red sox don't have the power they used to ... at this stage, they'd be advised to get some men on base and go from there ... but i agree that they looked like they were trying to hit 5-run homers yesterday, as the saying goes ...

Cmon_Sox_Bats_HIT: If things get out of hand with Wake tonight, do you see Francona turning to Byrd again for long relief?

Tony Massarotti: probably not. my guess is that wake will have a short leash and that Francona will go to his a-lit relievers early. off-day tomorrow and they need to keep this close...

Rice4Hall: Given Ortiz's lack of usual post-season production, do you think he considers pushing one or two down the 3rd base line to beat the shift and maybe open things up for him more in subsequent ABs?

Tony Massarotti: not a bad idea. at the very least, it would give youkilis, drew and bay a chance to hit with men on base...

goingbrokeonthecape: Beckett's speed was down about 5 MPH and his command was not good. Are there any indications or well-founded speculation that he is injured and should not be pitching at this time?

Tony Massarotti: other than the fact that he had an injection a couple of weeks ago, no. he keeps denying that he's hurt...

sox_in_7: can you break down how the sox COULD win in 7 games?

Tony Massarotti: well, for starters, it would help if they won games 4 and 5 behind wake and matsuzaka ... that would take pressure off game 6 and allow them to rest lester for game 7 ... but that's asking a lot against a good team ...

Bill_Mueller: So what exactly was wrong with Lester yesterday? Was he just nervous and missing his spots, or leaving pitches in the middle of the plate, or falling behind in the count too much?

Tony Massarotti: missed spots at wrong times to wrong hitters. mistake to upton was HUGE....

Let_s_be_negative: How P.O.'ed is 'tek for being pinch hit for? ... What does he expect?

Tony Massarotti: we actually wrote a column about this. he is upset, clearly. players ALWAYS believe they can bounce back - that's what makes them good...

Tony Massarotti: would you rather have a guy who BELIEVES he's going to make an out?

Labrador: Hi Tony - can you remind us how the Rays have done against Wake this year?

Tony Massarotti: don't have it in front of me, but i believe wakefield has an era in the 5.50 range and is 0-2...

mahty: why not crisp over ellsbury?

Tony Massarotti: because i think ellsbury is the better player and that the best red sox team is with ellsbury leading off. against this tampa club, the sox need their best team - and ellsbury swung better last night...

Red_3: What happens if Beckett can't go? Do they start Byrd? Masterson?

Tony Massarotti: not anticipating masterson. byrd is a possibility, i suppose. lester could also come back on four days (regular rest) and wake could come back for gm 7, also on reg rest

jz: tony who wins a four team tournament between the '99, '04, '07 and '08 red sox squads?

Tony Massarotti: the `04 club in a runaway...

RobDav: Tony, if we're heading into game 6 down 3-2, do you start Lester on short rest or go with Beckett?

Tony Massarotti: personally, i'd go with lester - and it would be on REGULAR REST...

Puchetti: Tony is ellsbury hurt?

Tony Massarotti: don't believe so. he just has the kind of swing that allows him to be shut down - mostly with inside fastballs...

matty: Who are some free agent targets for the Sox this offseason? AJ Burnett?

Tony Massarotti: not a big burnett fan as he only seems to pitch well in contract years ... wat they really need is for beckett to get healthy ... a hitter wouldn't hurt, either...

Puchetti: Why did Tito go with Wake over Byrd

Tony Massarotti: mostly because of the catching situation. by starting wake, you'd only have to change catchers once (if at all) in mid-game. by using wake out of pen, you may have to change catchers TWICE....

LM: Would it make sense to give Papi a night off and sit Varitek who seems an automatic out. Both seem lost.

Tony Massarotti: with wake pitching, varitek will sit, anyway. to me, sitting ortiz is not the solution. they need him to hit and get on base. benching him would be a big mistake...

matty: What hitter do they go after?

Tony Massarotti: my hero: matt holliday?

MagChatter: Speaking of 'signing targets' do you think they will sign Veritek ?

Tony Massarotti: they may have no choice. again, what are the options? if they could ever find someone to hit left-handed and platoon with tek, that would certainly be a good solution... for now...

orlando_soxfan: Will the sox make a run at Texiera? Sheets? Sabathia?

Tony Massarotti: probably, doubtful, not likely...

jz: what about the bullpen? that to me, is the most glaring issue heading into the postseason

Tony Massarotti: not sure i agree with that anymore... looks to me like the lineup needs to get thicker and they could probably use another starter...

Dan_Sobchuk: How has Sonnanstine pitched against the Sox this season?

Tony Massarotti: yes, beat them twice in September and shut them down both times ...

Dan_Sobchuk: Where would the Sox put Texiera if they get him?

Tony Massarotti: maybe at first, move youk to third and trade lowell (if they can)?

EK: It's amazing to me that all the noise (complaining) after a loss is louder than 40,000 at Fenway. Can you please make a call to all of those fortunate enough to have tickets to get behind this team and make it a true home-field advantage? Did you see the Browns beat the Giants last night? Talk about a 12th man!

Tony Massarotti: crowd was taken out of the game yesterday early by upton's homer. undoubtedly, that was part of the reason garza looked so good...

chaya: Why isn't Varitek batting ninth?

Tony Massarotti: generally, he has been. but cora was in the lineup last night... when crisp plays, better to have him bat night so as not to bottle up bases for ellsbury (if he ever gets on)...

LM: Do you have a MVP vote, if so who did you vote for?

Tony Massarotti: had a rookie vote this year ... not allowed to disclose...

nj_sox_fan: any chance they move Ellsbury out of leadoff spot?

Tony Massarotti: sure. but again, their best team is with ellsbury hitting - and producing - at the leadoff spot...

grape_ape: Any chance Pedi or D-Lowe return to Boston?

Tony Massarotti: pedro should retire, with all due respect. lowe would love to come back, i bet, but doubt the team is interested...

red: is clay b. coming back as a starter?

Tony Massarotti: presumably ... unless they trade him first

Danhedonia: Tony - what is Dave Magadan (not) doing with Ellsbury? He has the SAME issue each at bat (dropping hands too low, hence popping up) and can't or won't seem to correct it. Why is this allowed to persist in a 7 game series?

Tony Massarotti: knowing what the problem is and fixing it are two different things. old habits are hard to break believe me, magadan is working his tail off ... the guy is always in the cage...

LM: Is Aardsma hurt, if not, why wouldn't he be on playoff roster?

Tony Massarotti: he can't throw strikes consistently ... regardless of whether we're talking about timlin or aardsma, bad sign if either enters game...

orlando_soxfan: I love the addition of Jason Bay to this team. What are the odds that the Sox move him in the offseason?

Tony Massarotti: i like bay, too, but i think there is a chance they move him. holliday is a batter pure hitter an colorado had some interest in bay at the trading deadline. sounds like a potential fit there if the Sox throw in a pitcher...

Tony Massarotti: i'll say it again: with manny gone and ortiz slowing down, the sox need a STUD....

djp192: Tony, would you agree it's time to take the gloves off and start to play real baseball ?

Tony Massarotti: what exactly does that mean?

jz: Holliday is a B/B+ player away from Colorado. No stud.

Tony Massarotti: he'd be an A/A+ player in fenway...

jz: djp means it's time for a pitcher to step up and drill bj upton. and i agree.

Tony Massarotti: i do think that the tampa hitters are a little comfortable up there, but the sox should have thrown inside last night if that was their intention. wake isn't exactly the guy to do it...

soxrlost_: where would Holliday fit?

Tony Massarotti: if bay went in the deal, left field....

zim: Are Ortiz's problems this year because of injuries? Or is he just getting old?

Tony Massarotti: probably a little of both. asked him about the wrist a day or two ago and he said he was fine... better than fine, actually....

LM: Do you get the feeling that this team has gone about as far as it can with injuries (Lowell, Beckett, JD) and tired bats and arms?

Tony Massarotti: felt that way coming into the playoffs.

RedSoxRooster: There is no way they would part with Holliday, he 2 years younger and better than Bay (and Bay is a STUD)

Tony Massarotti: they can't afford him an his contract is up after the 2009 season.... i bet he will be traded this winter...

djp192: Tony, come on...hitting another teams player , really.. how about a line up change and a coach who takes the pitcher out early and doesn't let the game get away in the second or 3rd inning?

Tony Massarotti: didn't say they should hit anyone. said they should brush someone back. paul byrd did it to alex rios in Toronto at the end of the regular season and it was a key pitch. it's PART OF THE GAME...

Dice: why did lester pitch so bad yesterday?

Tony Massarotti: pitching is like real estate: location, location, location...

VT_Sox_Fan: Even with Manny gone, there is no room for Bay's salary?

Tony Massarotti: there IS room. i just think holliday is a better HITTER...

plucy: Do the Sox believe in eating salary to move a player? I'm thinking of Lowell, Lugo, maybe Ortiz (ducks...)

Tony Massarotti: absolutely. they did it with edgar renteria and they did it with manny...

redsox1975: mazz..thanks..ok, a good outing by wakefield with a solid bullpen should allow the offense to get in the game..do you think a win tonight would help set up dicek for a win on thursday

Tony Massarotti: no guarantees there ... but it would certainly change things for the better entering game 5... by the way, sox haven't beaten tampa two straight since june 4-5

dogg: Tony does Dice K go tomorrow?

Tony Massarotti: yes, but game 5 is on THURSDAY...

red: why does everyone want to move Lowell? Age?

Tony Massarotti: no one WANTS to move anyone. it's about making the TEAM better. if that means trading pedroia, you do it. but it obviously has to make sense for the Red Sox...

Jimmy: Is the Holliday trade likely or that your hopeful because you have a man-crush on him?

Tony Massarotti: never would describe a trade as ``likely'' at this stage, but yes, i have a man-crush...

Terry_Francona: Who is your NLCS MVP right now?

Tony Massarotti: V for Victorino!

dickie_kid: tony, what makes you an expert? Have you ever played the game?

Tony Massarotti: professionally? no. played growing up until i was about 19, a little in college, too. have seen about 2,000 major league games at this stage ... good heavens, i sound like kevin kennedy now

cmon_sox: what are the three (in your opinion) key things that the red sox need to accomplish in order to win the ALCS (if they were to win)

Tony Massarotti: stabilize the starting pitching .... get ellsbury going ... get SOMETHING (even walks) from the bottom of the lineup...

Jimmy: If you were Tito tonight - what would the line up look like?

Tony Massarotti: hmmm... ellsbury, pedroia, ortiz, youk, drew, bay, kotsay, lowrie, cash...

nj_sox_fan: do you think francona has a quick hook for wake tonight?

Tony Massarotti: YES ... he will have to ... bullpen is very rested and off-day tomorrow ... all hands on deck, i say

jackie1: Tony - phillies versus tampa. Who do you like?

Tony Massarotti: Tampa - better pitching, defense, balance

Danhedonia: Kotsay would make a great surprise leadoff substitution.

Tony Massarotti: interesting idea ... he certainly has done it before... but again, they're best with ellsbury at the top...

Raymond_Ray: Tony,If you were stranded on an island with one mascot -would you choose Raymond,The Phanatic,or Wally The Gm?

Tony Massarotti: that's easy - The Phanatic

Will: Wind was really blowing last night. If that's the case again tonight, that favors Wakefield, doesn't it?

Tony Massarotti: Depends on which way. Wake actually likes it better when the wind is blowing OUT. Last night, the wind was blowing IN. When that happens, Wake's ball tends to float and/or sail. When it blows out, the ball has more resistance and dips...

Tony Massarotti: that's your physics lesson for the day...

Jmac: why do you anwser stupid questions about mascots?

Tony Massarotti: for the hell of it...

uhoh: who is the gentleman that sits just to the left of home plate for EVERY game? is he an agent or something?

Tony Massarotti: i believe you're talking about jeremy kapstein, a former agent who has been as a special advisor to the club for the last several years and is a very nice man...

orlando_soxfan: Who do you want stepping to the plate for the sox if there's two outs, a man on second and it's tied in the 9th?

Tony Massarotti: pedroia or youkilis

Nova: Buster Olney on ESPN said that scouts he talked to said Lester looked clearly fatigued and was laboring even between pitches. Only 4 MLB pitchers have thrown more pitches than he has this year. Are you surprised that the Red Sox have leaned on Lester so hard this year, given how conservative they usually are with their young pitchers? Would they shut him down even with the postseason on the line if he even showed the slightest signs of fatigue in their testing?

Tony Massarotti: i also thought fatigue was a factor, though it's an easy out. He has pitched 230 innings this year. they had to lean on someone, didn't they?

Danhedonia: Want to return to the Magadan thing again. Not to *blame* him per se, but getting hitters to break bad habits (Tek and Ellsbury are near-auto outs) in the timeframe the team needs is a coach's job. Isn't it?

Tony Massarotti: no, IDENTIFYING the bad habits is the coach's jon ... psychology is the coach's job ... the hitter's job is to IMPLEMENT the change, which is not easy ...

bglobeisliberal: do you think manny will end up with the NYY if he loses in LA??

Tony Massarotti: strikes me as a very proud man who makes no excuses. now ask yourself this: for game 7, would you rather have byrd going or, say beckett in his current state? not picking one over the other, but my point is that the guys past and makeup count for something....

It_AINT_OVA: Is it hard to be an objective baseball writer being a fan of the Red Sox?

Tony Massarotti: honestly, no. after a while, you start to became a fan more of individuals and less of teams. players move around so much now that it's hard to focus on the uniform...

Tony Massarotti: just a few more, folks...

rbdodger: If the Sox lose ALCS - is Francona's job in jeopardy after leaving Beckett in way too long in Game 2? In fact, it made Grady Little's decision in 2003 look not so bad.

Tony Massarotti: are you nuts? he's signed for three more years with a two-year option after that...

xman: Would the Angels have had better luck against Tampa than us? It seems the Rays strengths play well against Sox weaknesses.

Tony Massarotti: I believe so, yes. But then again, the Angels had a losing record against one AL team this year - Tampa...

Tony Massarotti: last one...

JustALoss: Why does everyone take a lob sided win like it's the end of days, it's still just one loss. It' snot like they get 2 wins for scoring 9 times the runs.

Tony Massarotti: couldn't agree more. again, these things change quickly. i think people are worried about this series because they sense that tampa is the better team, but we'll see what happens. have learned to never count the sox out in recent years...

Tony Massarotti: thanks for the interest and participation, everyone ... apologies if we didn't get t your question(s) ... looking forward to another one in the next round ...

Tony Massarotti: if there is a next round...

Tony Massarotti: enjoy game 4 tonight