Fan News

Their debatable sellout streak may be over, but the 2013 Red Sox have quickly become the talk of Boston after their incredible start to the season.

At 18-7, the Sox are off to their best start since they opened the 2004 season at 18-7. We all know how that year turned out—with World Series rings in Boston.

Injuries don't care how much money a player makes, how gaudy the stats on the back of a player's baseball card are or what time of year it is.

When they hit, they often hit hard—and teams are left scrambling trying to fill the void.

Some, like the New York Yankees, have been able to weather the storm. Other teams haven't been quite as fortunate.

Let's take a look at the players who are now sidelined that their respective teams cannot get back on the field fast enough.

Tim Lincecum has looked like a different pitcher over his last two starts with Buster Posey behind the plate in place of Hector Sanchez. 

Over his first three starts with Sanchez catching, Lincecum struggled. He allowed 13 hits, 12 runs, 12 walks and three home runs in 16 innings of work. His ERA was 5.63.

Friday night’s superb performance by Anibal Sanchez may have been the tonic the Detroit Tigers needed to kick start their season going forward.

Last Saturday, we saw Scott Kazmir take the mound in an MLB game for the first time since 2011. What we saw was nothing short of scary. 

For me to sit back and criticize is not right. I’ve endured brutal experiences on the mound and completely understand the feeling you get when you work so hard for something have nothing to show for it. 

After the first 19 games of the season, the Indians find themselves in a curious situation. Nobody quite knows whether the Indians are for real or whether they will falter as the season continues.

As we move closer to the trade deadline, the Indians' position in the standings will determine whether they're buyers or sellers.

If they're sellers, several players who are either in the final year of their contract or approaching their final year could find themselves leaving Cleveland.

Every year, MLB teams with playoff aspirations have some sort of injury that gets fans worried.

Whether it's an injury to the team's ace or big hitter, something always happens to playoff contenders.

This year is no different, as there are many players on the disabled list who are key to their franchise's playoff aspirations.

Here's a look at 10 injured MLB players whose returns will determine whether or not their team makes the playoffs.

Boston Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz has jumped out to arguably the best start of any pitcher in baseball this season. While it is unlikely he will keep up his current torrid pace, signs indicate that he can continue contributing outstanding production.

Final Score: Phillies 9

                         Mets 4

WP: Jonathan Pettibone (1-0)

LP: Shaun Marcum (0-1)

David Ortiz has authored some of the greatest hits in Red Sox history and holds the team's single-season home run record of 54.

Still, Big Papi has never performed at a level closer to that of former Boston slugger Ted Williams than he is doing right now.