RoyNHSox

Once again Seanez fails to get the first batter. Dammit.

True, but only .232 vs. LH pitching

Trot’s AB reminds me how much I miss WMP.

Loretta in the game batting for Cora.

Gonzo continues to prove his value to the team.

Lidle is one hit away from getting the hook. C’mon Coco. Coco delivers!

Thank you Mike Lowell.

Wake’s pitching a great game so far. How about some run support…please.

Cora just lucked out big time with that call. Edit: Papi wasn't quite so lucky.

A couple of interesting points from the Globe’s Extra Bases re WMP and his rehab: The Sox are trying to increase his versatility by prepping him for 1B. Good idea not to rush him back to Boston, but rather allow him to get some regular AB’s in Pawtucket. His lack of options and his assumed bench role would definitely limit any kind of consistent AB’s which would only delay his progress.

Saw this in today’s Herald: I'm guessing this would be more along the lines of building for the future, not really a fix for this year, unless Shealy could be a bat off the bench with some pop. I like the fact that Shealy does have plenty of options. Link http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=145530&format=&page=2

Probably the best move is a non-move for now. There’s really no urgent need for the team that can’t be waited out until at least toward the end of the trading deadline. That should give the time necessary for some of the injured to return and see what they’ve got left, plus what some of the newer additions like Johnson and Snyder can possibly contribute. And who knows what will become available over the next few weeks as teams start unloading players…Theo likes those waiver picks.

What about the fan who grabbed the fair ball, which led to the winning run?

With the A’s leading their division why would they want to trade him now?

One good thing about the postponement is that the whole bullpen should be available. Report on Rotoworld is that Loretta probably won’t be available due to neck strain.

I wonder if or when the Sox will make this type of decision, to actually cut Clement and eat most of his contract. His overall value couldn’t be any lower, and even if Theo could pull off some kind of trade, he’d end up subsidizing most of the contract anyway. It sucks that he’s so far gone that even serving as a league-average #5 starter seems like high expectations.

The Sox have won 8 in a row now. The defense has been nearly perfect, the bats are warming up, and most importantly the pitching has greatly improved. So what needs fixing? Is this the team that can win the division and make some serious noise in the playoffs? The pitching situation still is probably the greatest concern. A bona fide starter to fill the #5 spot would be the answer but there are pitchers in the Sox system now that could fill that role. Can we completely write off Clement and Boomer as possibilities? Both are improving in their respective rehabs and the Sox have some serious $ invested between the two. Plus Jason Johnson has been recently added to the equation, along with recent pickup Kyle Snyder. Is someone in this mix able to fulfill the role of a #5 starter, someone who can keep us in the game and maybe win more than they lose? For relievers the Sox have made it known that they will be using their organizational depth to look for answers. MDC, Hansen, and new to the team Javier Lopez look like they’ve cemented a spot on the roster. Veterans Tavarez and Seanez haven’t really inspired any great confidence but they can’t be ignored. And the big question is if Foulke can ever regain the level of effectiveness that we saw in 2004, and he’ll be due to come off the DL in the near future. So is this the corps of relievers that can get us through to the late innings when Timlin and Paps will be called upon? Maybe a bat off the bench with some pop could be another area of improvement. But again Kapler has been called up and so far he’s looking like he’s recovered from his injury. Then there’s WMP who will probably be back on the team in about a month. Because of his lack of options the Sox might find it more desirable for him to spend an extended time on the DL and allow him to get regular AB’s in Pawtucket. But either way by August the Sox should have at least two viable possibilities. So again is there any need to look for a power hitter to fill a bench role? Just throwing this out there...looking for opinions.

Also just announced on WEEI that game has been postponed until 1PM tomorrow.

For some reason Steve Silva and BDD have gone out of their way to bash Pedro ever since their lame website started. I pulled this line from the website today: They’ve done more to engender the notion of Sox fans booing Pedro than anyone. Gammon’s quote, taken out of context and printed in the NY Post, pales in comparison. I think most true fans know that the BDD site is mostly sensational ********, as is most anything you’ll read in a NY Post column.

Gammo reminds me of the oracle from mythology. His “prophesies” are sometimes hard to follow, contradictory, and not always to be taken at face value. But every once in a while you’ll find a nugget of truth if you look hard enough.

The article was built on a quote taken out of context and published by one of the biggest rags out of NY.

It’s almost like there’s a logjam developing for the #5 starter: Clement, Johnson, Boomer, and a few others who are in the minors. In my mind Lester is the #4 now.

It looks like Wells’ recovery might be coming around sooner than expected. From the Projo:

One of my favorite past Sox players, Bill Mueller, is looking at possible career ending injury with his knee. He had his third surgery back in May on his knee and has been recovering slowly. According to the LA Times: I always liked the way he went about the game, kind of an infield dirt dog who quietly won a batting title. Get well soon Billy Ballgame.

I wonder how many times per season that happens, a batter gets a hit on a sloppy IBB pitch.