You're Killing Me Smalls

Looks like it’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything. Work has been really busy and keeping up with all of the happenings with the Sox has been a little more difficult the past couple of weeks. However, all deadlines and extra hours aside, I’m still watching probably 4 out of 5 games from the first inning to the ninth. Since I posted last about 10 days ago, the Sox have gone 4-and-4. Going .500 isn’t anything to be ashamed of if you’re the Cincinnati Reds, but with the payroll and star-power the Sox have, and with their mid-season trade deadline experimentation, things should be going a little better than this in Boston.

It’s almost (yes, almost) safe to say that the Eric Gagne acquisition may be a bit of a problem. Gagne took the loss last night against the Angles giving up three earned in the top of the ninth. His ERA has risen to 15.00 since coming to Boston. The only saving grace is that it was against the Angels and their aggressive style to produce runs late could come against the best of relievers and closers in the majors. Despite that silver lining, the fans in Arlington may be patient, but not in Boston. The Nation has watched a train almost come off the tracks in several outings and last night is the derailing that most saw coming. Sure he did well the first half, but he’s unproven after two major surgeries since 2004 in the second half. Obviously, taking a gamble on Gagne was just that and hopefully the promise of what Gagne was earlier in his career will not outweigh what his production value is now. Sorry Theo, doesn’t look like this one is going to pan out. I know I was initially slightly tickled about the prospect of Gagne going to the pen, however, did we really need him?

The series against Baltimore was a near minor disaster, but coming off of back to back road series against Seattle and LA what else could you have expected? I penciled them in at taking 2 of 3 at best. Playing Tampa at home was like playing Tampa at home, nothing unusual there.

The offense is up and down and with Ortiz slowly deteriorating, it will be a miracle if he can help get the Sox to the division crown AND be 100% for the playoffs. I know most players are never playing at 100% at this point, but he’s a DH, not an everyday infielder. After a slow start Dustin Pedroia is making noise as a possible rookie of the year candidate, however how he finishes to make up for this slow April and May still needs to play out. He’s serving his purpose as a pesky hard-out type of hitter with admirable power for his size. His performance in the field should not be overlooked either. His fielding is at an almost veteran level at .991 with only four errors on the year.

The Sox are throwing Schilling tonight, who is yet to pick up a win since June, and Wakefield tomorrow afternoon. Wake was drilled for six runs in less than five innings last week in LA. The situation with the Yankees seems to have stabilized at least for the moment with the lead settling between four and six games the past week. If the lead should dwindle below that, expect cardio specialists in the Boston metro to be working double overtime until the beginning of October and hopefully deep into it.