Passing The All-Star Break
After a 19 inning marathon in which the Sox lost to the Sox, and with the All-Star break mixed in, I’m back to get going on the 2nd half of the season. Jon Lester opens out of the gate against the Athletics. Lester has still yet to have a dominating performance and remains 4-0 with a ERA just barely over 3. Maybe tonight with some extra rest will spur that masterpiece that many scouts think the left hander is capable of throwing.
Since the trade deadline is looming, it’s on everyone’s minds who will get moved. As solid as this Red Sox team is, I really don’t feel that it is capable of a real playoff run without some improvements and tweaking. As it is now, the Sox have David Wells and Keith Foulke on the DL. Neither one was a great contributor this year but looking in years past: the Sox don’t make the 2005 playoffs without Wells, and no way do the Sox win the World Series in 2004 without Keith Foulke (who in my opinion was the MVP of the World Series). Arguments can be made that Papelbon has stepped in exceptionally well to fill the hole as closer, but the bridge getting there has been inconsistent and perhaps the young arms will be able to deliver and a trade might not be needed (i.e. if we can get DiNardo healthy and capable of being a long reliever when needed).
Taking a look around the horn, the infield is solid both offensively and defensively. The outfield has very strong corners offensively, and Crisp, in my opinion, is a step up defensively over Johnny Damon. Crisp however will need to become more of an offensive threat to really have a go out the playoffs and the division this year.
Pitching, pitching pitching. Aside from Schilling, and Lester to date, the starting rotation has been iffy. Wakefield has had solid outings, but has lacked run support on many occassions. It would be nice to add a solid 5th starter and stop this whole experimentation phase now. If the pitching can improve the 2nd half, both in the pen and at the back of the rotation, I think there’s a very good chance of winning the division.