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They've scored 4 runs or fewer in 17 of the 33 games since the All-Star break. 10 of those 17 have been against TEX, TB or NY, who they have only played 13 games agains total during that stretch. Again, in the 13 games against TEX, TB or NY since the All-Star Break, they've scored 4 runs or fewer 10 times. They were shut out 3 times since the All-Star break, all during games not started by Beckett or Lester. They've scored 2 or fewer runs 11 times out of those 33 games. This isn't a fearsome offense, and with Ortiz scuffling, Bay sitting, Drew asking out of games, etc., I don't see why that's hard to grasp. The Yankees (and Sox teams of the past) accidentally s*** out runs. They find runs that they forgot about in their pants when they take them out of the dryer. This team has had to work very, very hard to get them.

Spot on Dojji. I'm sure if his depression is keeping him from playing this year that he's working with a psychiatrist. Even a club like the A's undoubtedly has enough medical oversight to send him to a professional.

Most teams that lose a big time starter in the middle of the season don't replace that starter mid season. They swallow the injury and their team is hurt as a result. The off-season is the time to evaluate the team and make big moves to change its composition drastically. Making moves to adjust to this particular season or that particular injury is how overpaying for talent happens. Dice-K was a season killer... I also disagree with Dipre. I think pitching is less of a problem than finding that middle of the order bat moving forward. This team is primed to benefit from someone who can truly hit 4th and move everyone else to a more appropriate slot. The good thing is that they aren't far from having a team with lots of versatility and depth. The bad news is that I just don't see here that player is going to come from. All optimism last year that someone like Lars Anderson might be able to come in and have a marginal impact--even enough to spell Youk at 1B (or, by extension, Lowell at 3B ) is gone at this point. Adrian Gonzalez, Prince Fielder, and Adam Dunn all come to mind as guys who might offer that power in the middle of the order if the Sox give up enough... Or they can go after more pitchers, which would also help.

Alright, I know that many of you are of the opinion that Brad Penny sucks and that he doesn't deserve to pitch anymore. However, there are more than a few things about last night's outing that really seem indicative of him turning it around. No, I'm just kidding. Penny sucks. His continued role with this team represents a really unfortunate reality. Their 4th and 5th starters are only as good as every other team's 4th and 5th starters, if not worse. This has turned into a relatively bad season for this ownership group. They have the team they wanted, created with careful attention paid to contract length and franchise flexibility. The way I see it, their prognosis would actually be good if they are able to make the playoffs with injuries to 40% of their rotation for a good portion of the season, with a slumped Ortiz, injury to starting SS and nagging injuries to 3B, RF and LF. It is also entirely possible that this team won't make the playoffs at all, which I would call a disappointment. Despite the injuries and poor performance of Ortiz, there is enough talent on this team to make the playoffs and beat out Texas and Tampa Bay. A team with a healthy Beckett, Lester, Papelbon, Youkilis, Pedroia, Ellsbury and Drew should have a really good shot at the playoffs. That's a better core of players than a lot of teams have. Fortunately, that's the core they will be moving forward with. Teixeira absolutely shifted the balance of power in the AL East. I don't think his impact wolud have been has great without having added Sabathia and Burnett. Last year's pitchers and this year's offense would have this team battling the Sox at 15 games above .500. Instead they solidified their offense and added a #1 and a #2 pitcher to their rotation. I would really like to know what happened in that meting with John Henry... The Sox are in need of someone who they can build the lineup around. Victor Martinez was an excellent addition in terms of depth if they're able to find that power bat. I will be shocked if they don't try to address this aggressively in the offseason but I'm not sure who that player would be given who is available and who is under contract. I will be happy with this team and optimistic about their future if they are able to pull it together and show that their core of players is enough to get them to the playoffs in a very tough AL East.

I agree.

Nah. I'm exaggerating to make you feel somehow superior. How could I possibly have expected to win this game or this series? The Yankees are clearly the better team and they get to feast on the fleshy underbelly of the Sox pitching staff in this series. All that Penny-fat is delicious, and I've heard Tazawa-san is yummy too. None of this particularly pertains to whether I think the Sox are a good team or whether they are likely to make the playoffs (they are and they are). I just don't like watching them not be able to give the Yankees a good game.

No.

OH MY GOD. JOE WEST TOTALLY BLEW THAT 2-2 PITCH TO SWISHER. THIS GAME IS TAINTED NOW.

Way to take a hint. Thanks. Jacko, you going to follow suit?

The Yankees rule. I think maybe I will become a fan. I really do prefer winning to losing. I'm going to go order a Jorge Posada jersey to wear during games.

Oh waaa! Wipe your freaking tears and stop whining. It is pathetic when your team has a good lead. Ohhh Larry Lucchino and John Henry. Perhaps they're here to announce the Sox have signed Teixeira?

I was being facetious. It's the worst 95 in the history of mankind.

What can the rest of the team even do about a game like this? They come out in the first and put up a bit of run support, but Penny is getting the ball drilled to all fields and watching the Yankees run around the bases. It's like starting with a handicap.

Being on the west coast and given that I work late, lately I've been able to watch games online after they have happened. I wish this was one of those instances. I would skip to the bottom of the 5th and see if it was the same defecit or worse. If it was worse I would keep skipping ahead. I have very little interest in watching Brad Penny pitch, ever. I have a lot less interest in watching him when he's getting crushed by the Yankees.

Go for a walk Play with my daughter

Kill some terrorists in Call of Duty 4 Clean

List of other things I can do tonight... play guitar

Michael Bowden da da da da da Michael Bowden Da da da da da

There's no way he throws as hard as the radar gun consistently shows. He gets hit much too hard to be throwing 95 or 96.

I really dont like Penny vs the Yankees.

Jeter's a punk who doesn't respect the game. Thome never cheated. I see what Jim Rice is talking about.

The difference is that he wouldn't be closing. Ever. Papelbon, Bard, Oki, Saito, Ramirez and maybe Delcarman would pitch first--at least to start.

Definitely. Get him if possible. I have no clue whether he has any of his old stuff, but I'd rather the Sox be the team that gets to benefit if he does.