What Will Come Of August
While it is still early in August, the Red Sox have won just two games the entire month. Everything from shady starting pitching to a reliable bullpen falling apart, has been the reason why the Sox are now 2 games from first in the AL East, and a 1/2 game back in the Wild Card race.
A lot of fingers are probably pointing to the lack of a big-time trade. Since the trading deadline has passed, the Sox have lossed their catcher/captain Jason Veritek and then Mirabelli got roughed up the first game after acquiring Javy Lopez to split time behind the plate. Injuries have plagued this squad all season. Significant members from the 2004 World Series Championship team currently on the DL are Veritek, Keith Foulke, and Trot Nixon. Those are 3 very important players when healthy.
The upside is that David Wells threw very well his last start. Johnson threw effectively. If these two can pitch this way the rest of the season, the Sox should be able to turn it around. Losing a 4 run lead is devestating to a bullpen, but hopefully having today off will give the youngs arms some much needed rest. I’m hopeful that the bullpen will be able to return to form shortly, as the bullpen was a strength for the team along with its stellar defense that has slipped a bit recently as well.
So things aren’t looking so great right now. There’s panic throughout New England like there often is this time of year. But if folks remember, it was only a couple years ago when the Sox found themselves in a much dire situation and managed to win the Wild Card and the World Series. I think if Foulke returns, and he’s Keith Foulke of old, it could have huge implications for a depleted bullpen. At this point we’re not moving Seanez or Taverez, but Taverez has been effective in eating up innings when the Sox are behind by a lot (his last appearance notwithstanding).
The biggest let-down has probably been the inconsistency of Josh Beckett and the lack of ‘gems’ I think a lot of us fans thought we’d be seeing. Now I understand there’s still a lot of games to play, and he probably will end up a 20 game winner all things considered, but I’d like to enjoy the games from here on out where he’ll lower that 5+ ERA down to something in the 3’s.
As far as I’m concerned, I’m not too sure I want to see Clement in a Red Sox uniform anytime soon — I think we have enough to worry about.