Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
So are you still ready to take that shovel and start putting dirt on the Red Sox?
I didn't think so.
Granted, the Sox didn't start the way Red Sox Nation had hoped they would, but they are now starting to show signs they can swing the bat.
That early-season cold spell may be the beginning of a week or a couple weeks of white-hot hitting throughout the lineup, well, maybe not David Ortiz (boy, he's really struggling, huh?).
Just an amazing comeback Friday night against Baltimore. Down 7-0 in the second, the Sox pick away to tie the game at 8-8 in the fifth and score two more in the sixth for the 10-8 final.
There's many people to thank on the team, but not starter Brad Penny, who got lit up for 8 earned runs in 3 innings -- expect more slugfest parties from the opposition with Penny on the hill. His stuff is average at best.
But how about that bullpen -- five relievers don't surrender a run and bail out the worthless Penny. That's the type of production from the 'pen that will win you many games. The big key, however, is that shaky rotation with Dice-K now on the DL. When is John Smoltz slated to come back? What does he have left in that aging arm?
But anyway, the Sox DID build on that six-run 8th inning against Oakland on Wednesday. Boy, did they need that since they had only scored 24 runs in their first 7 games before exploding in the series finale against the A's.
Why have the Sox struggled as a team? Take a look at these batting averages through Friday night and there's your answer -- Ellsbury (.220), Pedroia (.233), Ortiz (.158, but great Mango Salsa), Youkilis (.425, at least he's hot), Drew (.281), Bay (.344), Lowell (.237) and Varitek (.207).
It's way too early to bury the Sox because we all know this offense will start stinging the ball and the bullpen appears to be a real strength. Plus, it's so early, don't get too high or too low just yet. Save that for around August.
Keep the faith, it should be an exciting ride with a few bumps in the road in the AL East.
I think the Sox should go sign Pedro...$5mil is a steal!
ReplyDeleteDon't count anybody out yet. It's way to early. As for as Pedro goes, would the Yankees sign him? Either Wang is hurt or he has totally forgotten how to pitch. In 3 starts Wang has pitched 6 innings, allowed 23 hits and 23 earned runs, good for a 34.50 ERA.
ReplyDeletePlus the bullpen could use some help. Would they move Joba back to the pen?
Even though both the Red Sox and Yankees have started slowly, in the end they will both be in contention. They both just have too much talent.