BoSox Shenanigans (69-43)

10 Thoughts










1) So in the beginning of the season, our starting rotation went: Jon Lester, John Lackey (WHAT?), Clay Buchholz, Josh Beckett, and Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Jon Lester is having a typical Lester year (11-5, 3.23 ERA). The best thing about Lester is that he’s consistent with his starts. Sure, every starter has that one bad outing. But, Lester defies that notion because he’s always able to go 6+ innings when he’s pitching.

John Lackey (WHAT?) is having a much-troubled second year. He’s currently 10-8 with a 6.14 ERA. 6.14 ERA! This was the same guy advertised who we thought could be a bonafide 2-3 starter? Doesn’t look like the “ace” we saw when he was with the Los Angeles Angels!

Josh Beckett is proving that he didn’t deserve to be starting 4th in the year. He has bounced back tremendously and is starting to look like the Beckett of old (circa ’07, ’09). He has rightfully claimed back that “ace” status. Respectful 9-4 with a 2.20 ERA.

Daisuke Matsuzaka. GONE. Nothing else needs to be said. His season was lost due to needing Tommy John surgery. This signing is looking to be a really big bust. Still can’t believe he went 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 2008!

Clay Buchholz, in my opinion, was the X-factor into helping the team into the postseason. It looks like his season might be over with a lower back strain, although they say it’s not totally for sure. He was 6-3 with a 3.48 ERA before he went down. He certainly was on pace to win 15+ games had it not been for the injury. If he is indeed gone for the year, I WISH WE STILL HAD JUSTIN MASTERSON!

Can’t forget about the spot starters: Tim Wakefield (especially), Alfredo Aceves (especially and very valuable), Andrew Miller, and Kyle Weiland. These guys deserve a lot of credit for still leading the Red Sox into having one of the best records in the Majors.




2) I like the situation between Jarson Varitamacchia #3933 (Varitek/Saltalamacchia). Granted, it probably would’ve benefitted Salty more if he played more, but at this point, it’s good to split the loads between the two catchers. Beckett obviously loves/is more comfortable when ‘Tek is catching him; plus Varitek is good in handling with other (new) pitchers. Salty is a great offensive punch and throws out more base stealers. Hopefully when Varitek’s time is up, Salty will pick up the knowledge and understandings of the pitchers and continue his success at the plate.




3) J.D. Drew will have spent five years as a Red Sock and still no one knows a single thing about him. Much like my four years at Suffolk University. Lulz.

TROT NIXON, The REAL #7

4) Tim Wakefield will definitely pick up his 200th win as a pitcher by the end of the year. That’s an incredible accomplishment and I hope he gets it when it’s in Fenway Park. It will definitely be very emotional.





5) Jonathan Papelbon, like Josh Beckett, is having a bounce-back year. Although his ERA (3.35) is slightly higher than previous years, he’s becoming that instant “shut-out games” when he closes (circa ’06-’09). Honorable mention has to go to Daniel Bard who is showing how superb he is and potentially be our closer of the future. It’s going to be a tough offseason for management in deciding who’s going to close out games in the future. Papelbon is making his case that he is still dominant.





6) Can the Red Sox PLEASE somehow get rid of John Lackey, Bobby Jenks, and Dice-K? In a perfect world where we can easily do something, I’d happily trade all three of them for a kiwi smoothie.

7) Kevin Youkilis, in my opinion, is a better first baseman than third. I’m just saying. I miss Mike Lowell.





8) What was Dustin Pedroia hitting in May? Like .220? Look where he is now, he’s hitting .310. Don’t doubt the scrapper. In 2007, he was hitting like, what, .180? Oh yeah, he went on to ending the ’07 season hitting .317. Amazing.





9) Jacoby Ellsbury is having a MVP type season. He sure as heck is hitting like it and deserves serious consideration. 111 games played; hitting .321, 19 HR, 72 RBI, and an OPS of .899. He’s only stolen 31 bases and has been walked 38 times. Major switch-off in his game and approach. This after coming off a major injury last year. He deserves the contract Carl Crawford has and he certainly looks like the $142 million man. This isn’t even to knock on Crawford because I like him. He’s having an OFF season as opposed to what we’re used to seeing him (when he was with the Tampa Bay Rays). His numbers are down in practically EVERY major category. Hopefully he bounces back next year with one year under his belt as a Red Sock. I have faith in him that he will.

And people dare called him "SOFT"

10) The Adrian Gonzalez trade and signing is looking to be the best thing EVER. I don’t even need to speak of what he has done and meant for the team. He’s currently leading the Majors in AVG (.352), RBI (91), Hits (159), TB (253), and 2nd in XBH (55). All this and there’s still 70 games left to be played!









RED SOX vs. PHILLIES WORLD SERIES CAN’T COME SOON ENOUGH!