The bizzaro world that is the 2008 Major League Baseball season enters another day as the Boston Red Sox attempt to pull within a half-game of the first place Tampa Bay Rays. Yes, the Rays are in first place.....by 1.5 games....in July. Not only that, but they have the best record in baseball at 50-32. Tim Wakefield, who is 17-3 with a 3.31 ERA in 29 career starts against the Rays, takes the mound for Boston while Matt Garza (6-4, 3.76 ERA) gets the call for Tampa Bay.
Before the second contest of this three-game series begins, here are some thoughts and observations:
- Do you know that the Red Sox are 3-13 indoors this season? They are 19-25 overall on the road, so the dome woes have significantly contributed to the team's struggles away from Fenway Park.
- FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal believes that it is not a sure thing that Boston will pick up Manny Ramirez's $20 million option in 2009. I agree with Rosenthal. Remember, Theo Epstein inherited Ramirez, and he placed the slugger on irrevocable waivers before. As Rosenthal noted, there are no free agents that Boston could sign to play left field and remotely match Ramirez's numbers. Yet Ramirez is not the same hitter he was even a few years ago, though he is still a run producer. I believe he will be back with the Red Sox in 2009, but his spot on the roster is not etched in stone.
- Alex Cora is starting at shortstop tonight. Even today, the Red Sox would be better off with Jed Lowrie as the starting shortstop with occasional appearances by Cora. Lugo is a liability in the field and at the plate. This team needs a change at shortstop as much as it needs another reliable, veteran arm in the bullpen.
- The first three pitching match-ups for the Red Sox-Yankees series are as follows:
Thursday - Jon Lester (6-3, 3.48 ERA) versus Andy Pettitte (9-5, 3.98 ERA)
Friday - Josh Beckett (7-5, 3.65 ERA) versus Darrell Rasner (4-6, 4.42 ERA)
Saturday - Justin Masterson (4-2, 3.75 ERA) versus Mike Mussina (10-6, 3.87 ERA)
I like the first two match-ups for the Red Sox. It is Saturday's game that concerns me. Mussina does not worry me. I think the Red Sox will knock him around. Masterson is the one who does not instill confidence right now. The rookie right-hander has been a bright spot with a 4-2 record and a 3.75 ERA, but he has encountered control problems in recent outings and is 3-2 with a 4.54 ERA in six June starts. The alternative? Call up Clay Buchholz and option Masterson to Triple-A Pawtucket. Buchholz has been dominant with the Paw Sox, and already has the first start jitters at Yankee Stadium out of the way. Masterson is better suited as a set-up man, a role in which he can be dominant. Let him adjust to a relief role at Pawtucket and bring him back to bolster the Red Sox bullpen later this summer.
What do you think? Would you rather see Masterson remain in the rotation, or is it time to recall Buchholz?
Recent Comments