Mariano Rivera shut the door on the National League tonight to earn the All-Star Game save and preserve the win for Jonathan Papelbon. Considering that the Red Sox arguably have the best team in the American League, and have a strong chance to win the American League pennant, the Yankees' closer did his team's heated rival a favor. Though home field advantage in the World Series does not guarantee a ring, it is a substantial advantage, especially in the case of Boston, which is difficult to beat at Fenway Park.
Now that the unofficial halfway point of the major league season is here, it is time to reflect on the highs and lows of Boston's first 88 games.
The highs include:
- Jason Bay's 20 home runs and 72 RBI. Sure, Bay's average has slipped in recent weeks. He is hitting .260. His presence in the heart of the lineup has fueled Boston's offense. Media reports indicate that the Sox will start talks soon to extend Bay's contract. It is extremely important that he remains in a Boston uniform beyond 2009 because of his run production, his defense, his base running and his professionalism.
- Jason Varitek's performance at the plate. It is widely known that Varitek is valuable behind the plate because of his game-calling abilities, leadership skills and ability to block balls. After a woeful 2008 season with the bat, the captain has almost exceeded last year's numbers in the first half of 2009. Varitek had 13 home runs, 43 RBI and a .220 average last year. This season, he already has 13 dingers, 38 RBI and a .242 average. If he can hit 25 home runs and bat .240, it will be a successful year.
- Josh Beckett's return to ace form. Hampered by injuries, Beckett wasn't himself in 2008. And his lack of command led to a 7.22 ERA in five April starts, and that even included his opening day start against Tampa Bay that saw him limit the Rays to one run and two hits over seven innings. He has rebounded to post an 11-3 record and a 3.35 ERA, allowing 104 hits in 121 hits and holding opposing batters to a .230 average. So far, Beckett has posted two complete game shutouts and six starts when he has not allowed an earned run. When the ace is healthy, there is no starting pitcher in the majors that is better suited to take the mound in a key regular season or post-season game.
- Tim Wakefield's 11 wins. With Beckett and Wakefield, the Sox have the American League's only 11-game winners. Wakefield's performance this season has been crucial, especially since Daisuke Matsuzaka has been injured and ineffective, and has just one victory.
- The bullpen's reliability. Though the pen has been roughed up the last couple weeks - especially Manny Delcarmen and Justin Masterson - it has been a key reason why the Sox are 20 games over .500 and own a three-game lead in the American League East. With guys like Ramon Ramirez, Hideki Okajima and Takashi Saito, the Sox have multiple bridges to Papelbon. Daniel Bard has continued the recent trend of Red Sox prospects delivering when they are summoned to the majors. The All-Star break is timely for Masterson and Delcarmen, who are valuable pieces in the pen but need this break.
- Nick Green stabilizing the shortstop situation. Green isn't spectacular, but he is steady, versatile and fundamentally sound. Though he is best suited as a utility player, the journeyman infielder has filled the starting shortstop void just fine for the Red Sox. His average is .257, and he has four home runs and 30 RBI, but he has played solid defense and he has provided some clutch hits. With Jed Lowrie poised to return from the disabled list, it will be Green and not Julio Lugo who will remain on the Red Sox roster.
Lows
- Julio Lugo. Has there been a more ill-advised free agent signing in Theo Epstein's tenure as Red Sox GM? Some readers might bring up J.D. Drew's name, but Drew has delivered in the post-season, carried the offense when David Ortiz was out last June, has a high on-base percentage and plays strong defense in right field. Lugo has limited range, botches routine grounders, misfires throws to first base and no longer has speed because of his knee injury. He is hitting .284 in 109 at-bats, but the shortstop is a liability in the field - so much that the Sox will likely eat his remaining contract (he is signed for $9 million a year through 2010) by cutting him loose when Lowrie returns.
- Daisuke Matsuzaka's struggles. Without the benefit of spring training, Dice-K ramped it up early by throwing a lot of pitches in the World Baseball Classic. He was named the WBC's Most Valuable Player, and helped Japan win another title, but it has cost him and the Red Sox this season. Matsuzaka's shoulder has not been strong, and he has a 1-5 record with an 8.23 ERA in eight starts. He is rehabbing in Ft. Myers and might not return to the Red Sox until September, when rosters expand. Fortunately, Epstein signed Brad Penny and John Smoltz, and Clay Buchholz is available.
- Mike Lowell's nagging hip. The Red Sox need a healthy Lowell. WIll his hip hold up for the remaining 74 regular season games, and what will likely be another dramatic Red Sox October? If Jed Lowrie is healthy, his presence will allow Terry Francona to give Lowell periodic rest. Also, the Sox could acquire a corner infielder (Mark Teahen?) for depth and insurance. Hopefully, Lowell's hip cooperates because his defense and his bat make the Sox a more potent team.
- A three-game lead, even with an 8-0 record against the Yankees. The Sox are in a good place right now. First place, and three games up on the Yankees. However, it seems like they should have a more comfortable cushion in the AL East. The 10-game homestand leading up to the All-Star break was a disappointment. Sure, Boston won its last three games against the Royals and finished 6-4, but it should have won eight games out of 10 against the likes of Seattle, Oakland and Kansas City. The bright side is this - after the three-game series at Texas next week, the Sox are done with AL West teams on the road. The second half schedule is favorable for the Sox and includes a season-ending seven-game homestand, including a four-game set against Cleveland to conclude the regular season.
Recent Comments