I think that's going to be my new name for this team. Jon Lester has justifiably borne the brunt of this mantle thus far, but this is something Tim Wakefield has always been prone to, as he reminded us with a five-run meltdown in the fifth last night before being out out of his-and-our-misery with two out. No starter has been immune, although Beckett is showing glimmers of old lately and Brad Penny is becoming a serviceable fifth starter, actually one of the more reliable guys as of late. Of course, it would be more than helpful if the bats could actually produce some runs on the road as well. Drew has yet to be an enormous upgrade over Ortiz in the three-spot, and I don't recall the last solid two-out RBI I saw. The only really bright spot on this trip has been Ellsbury, who snapped a 22-game hit streak Thursday and started another one on Friday. but the boy can't carry the entire offense by himself.
Second place right now, half game behind the Skanks. It's kind of scary to think that a big reason the Sox are even in the position they are is because of Jason Varitek's bat. He can't possibly keep this pace up all season, can he (the past being the best predictor of the future)? And what about Mike Lowell? Guy's hitting well (well, nobody is hitting well on this road trip, but overall), but he looks like the 2,000-year-old man when he's on the basepaths. I can't imagine he's not going to need some time off when things really start to heat up later on in the summer, which meaqns Youk will have to go to third. Dear sweet Jesus, how many games am I going to have to suffer with Jeff Bailey and his .700 OPS in the lineup? I'd rather see Nick Green at first, and he can't even play a decent shortstop! Oy vey...No depth...while you may not always get what you pay for, it's even more rare that you get something for free. Oh, and by the way, Theo, Jason Bay is not going to be free. And the fact that the Yanks will have glaring outfield holes this off-season should not be a surprise come negotiation time. Prepare for it and budget accordingly.
But it hasn't been ALL bad...
One thing that really did my heart good this week was the sight of Tom Brady back on the field, looking healthy and ready to go (brace or no brace, in MY mind he is healthy and ready to go!!!) I was cranky and out of sorts all last season, and I know why. No Tom. Matt Cassell performed admirably under difficult circumstances, but it just wasn't the same. With Brady under center, Belichick on the sidelines and Kraft controlling the purse strings, you just get the idea that every season gives the Pats the opportunity to be champions. No, they clearly won't win every year, but all a fan-other than a Yankee fan, that is-asks for is the chance. Welcome back, Tom! We love you!!!!
(Tim lifted from boston.com)
Bailey has been tough - you've gotta be happy with the Kotsay call-up sending Bailey back to the minors. I don't have a problem with Nick Green as a back-up, but his defense is tough from an everyday player stand point.
As for 'Tek - I covered that over at The Angry Fan today, but let's just say that his last two seasons have not been great outside of the first two months.
I'm less worried about Lowell though than I am about Ortiz. They have to find a solution to his woes, whether it's sitting him or getting someone else to DH. They can't spend the entire season with a gaping hole like that in the line-up - especially given the way that Varitek has crashed and burned during the warmer months in recent seasons. Hell - even Kottaras is an offensive upgrade right now, and that's a problem.
Posted by: Kevin S. | June 03, 2009 at 09:12 AM