Behindenemylines

Looking back at BC's last off season he ended up making a lot of good decisions. I don't think anyone would have thought this many of them would have turned out this good. The only area where he misjudged was with his plan for the setup and closer roles. He had Bailey setting up for Hanrahan. Even though it wasn't the Sox plan it has worked out pretty good with the Tazawa-Uehara back end of the bullpen. Long term the Iglesias trade may be questioned, but for 2013 it had to be done. If Bogaerts wins the rookie of the year in 2014 then this too will fade.

Doubrount looks like he has hit the wall. When Buchholtz comes back it may be him and not Dempster who goes to the pen. The suspension and days off seem to help Dempster a little so maybe they should do the same for Doubrount. He is still tough on lefties and would help the Sox out of the bullpen in the post season.

Don't the Sox have a formula they go by: Ten years, retire a Sox, and in the HOF? Not sure does anyone know?

I guess that is why players say it is hard to reach the majors, but even harder to stay there. You see how easy it was for a player considered one of the top setup men in baseball quickly fall to being this close to being out of baseball.

What a closet Yankee fan? Your team is winning today.

Bard's struggles started in September of 2011 as he was part of the collapse. It was a mistake to move him out of the bullpen, but he was already failing before that. When pitchers with that much ability loss it, their problem is above the neck. For what ever reason Bard can not throw strikes.

Sox schedule the next few weeks is a killer. Tigers - $panks - Rays - $panks again - then Baltimore. Even with the 5 game lead the Sox are going to have to beat all teams that are in the playoff chase.

That is the sixth time this season the Sox have been shut out when Lackey was pitching. If the Sox where going to win this series this is a game that they needed to take. Fister hasn't been pitching that great of late and no Miggy in the lineup. Lester will have to bring his A game tomorrow.

SP has been the story since the $pankee series. Last night even Dempster pitched a good ballgame and had another quality start for the Sox. The Sox have been winning most of the games that they get 6 innings and the SP pitchers giving up 3 or less runs. I am a little concern with the bridge innings to Uehara. Tazawa has looked very hittable and has not been that effective. It probably would be more noticeable, but some starters have pitched 8 innings or complete games.

For the most part what OJ said I agree with. I would pass on McCann though. Let me start by saying that I think he is a really good catcher/hitter. This is why I think the Sox should stick with Salty. McCann as a FA is going to cost a lot more then Salty. Are you going want to invest big $$$$$ on a soon to be 30 year old catcher. Offensively Salty has improved this year, and is even hit a little from the right side. Everyone saw how the transition from the Captain to Salty hurt the pitching. Now that the pitchers are getting more comfortable throwing to Salty are we going to want to bring in another new catcher that has to learn the whole pitching staff. I think the Sox stick with Salty until Swihart or Vazquez is ready for the job. I find it hard to invest big $$$$$ in a catcher because of the injury factor being so great. I kind of like the idea of 3 year 75 million offer to Ellsbury. You are over paying, but for probably the three best years Ellsbury has left as the type of player he is. I like the idea of Bradley-Ellsbury-Victorino outfield. Great D! Gomes could still get ABs against lefties and Nava as your 5th outfielder that switch hits. Nava also can play some first and I think he is more productive if he isn't over used. Ellsbury probably wouldn't take that offer though. The Sox do have some extra $$$$ there so I would not be opposed of them spending it on Ellsbury. As far as the Lester / Peavy resigning, I'm not sure what will happen. Remember at some point some of these young arms (Barnes, Owens, Ranaudo, etc.) are going to start to make their way to Boston.

Don't you think the expansion of rosters in September changes how the game is played? If you have 5 lefties and 5 righties in the pen it changes the managers approach to the game. There are more pitching changes, making the games longer in theory. I'm not saying teams can't expand their rosters in September, its that they have to designate which 25 they are using each day. That 25 would change day to day, but removes a teams ability to have 5 or 6 lefties in the bullpen or other things that you don't see in baseball from April to August.

In my mind he still is the greatest hitter of all time. His numbers are great to begin with, and they would have been even greater had he not served his country in the military. Putting the country first shows the greatness of Teddy Ballgame. Happy B-Day!

It seams this slump happened as the Sox were forced to use Papi at 1B on the last west coast trip against NL teams. He doesn't play there often and I think this added stress on a 37 year old body. Didn't he have some back issues that week as well? I sure this had something to do with it. So that combination of things has probably thrown off his timing. An when pitchers are throwing 90 plus that little bit is a matter of getting a hit or striking out. Because others in the lineup have gotten hot not a big deal has been made of it yet. Hopefully, last night's big hit means that he may be coming out of it for the stretch run in September. I said for along time that not using the DH in National League ballparks is a huge advantage for NL teams.

Part of what makes baseball enjoyable is a team being able to field a team with a 25 man roster that can be successful in enough of each area that they beat other teams and win more games. Finding players that give you offensive, but yet help you in the field. Though I think the DH should be in both leagues, (No one wants to see the pitcher hit) I think one is enough. If baseball does anything it should change the way rosters expand in September. I agree with being able to bring up players to help, but I think a team should have to pick which 25 players from that group are available each day. That group may change from day to day, but will still be 25 on any given day.

Another quality start last night for Doubrount. I was surprised that he got out of the third only giving up 2 runs when he had the bases loaded against him with the heart of the O's lineup coming up. Last night could have gone differently if he doesn't get out of the third and gives up 4 or 5 runs. Hopefully, he can continue to go out the rest of the season and give the Sox quality starts.

Lineup posted for Wednesday against the O's. Bogaerts is getting the start at 3B. I think he is going to get at least one start at SS and one at 3B a week if he shows that he can hit ML pitching. It gives both Drew and WMB rest and doesn't put to much pressure on the kid.

Good point. He has some speed and could be used as a pitch runner and for D-fence.

I get it, Lester is pitching tomorrow. Ha! Ha! I guess the way I wanted to word it is if you had the choice of picking tomorrow's starter for a wild card game who would it be?

They have the whole 10 game west coast trip. Besides the Angels they also get the A's and Mariners. You know the A's will be tough because they still can win their division, and with Seattle you hope they get King Felix in one of those games. This is not an easy trip for the Rays.

If the wild card game was tomorrow who would be the Sox starting pitcher?

Remember the Sox had problems with the closer role until Uehara took over. I'm sure there are a few blown saves (games) for the Sox as well. That is why finding a closer is so hard. Based on the current trend it could play a huge role in the out come of the AL East.

That is a young hitter who now has to make adjustments since the league's SP have adjusted to him. I feel Lester pitching like he has been lately is more valuable to the Sox then even a hot Myers is to the Rays.

The Sox SP the last week has been outstanding. If they keep pitching like this into September the Sox are going to be in every game regardless who the opposing pitcher is. The Sox offense and their ability to run up pitch counts also helps out as they can get into the bullpens quicker. Remember in the playoffs the amount of off days plays a role in whether a team uses three or four pitchers.

Last night's offensive output is one where a lot of hitters in a lineup are starting to pick it up. Both Pedroia and Nap who struggled after the All-Star break are starting to get hot. If you have enough bats in a lineup that are clicking at the same time it is hard to pitch around someone. That combination with the SP the Sox have gotten the last week makes for a lot of wins. Hopefully, it will carry into September.

The Sox days off in September will allow them to set up their rotation that gives them the best chance to win. If the Sox don't win the division then it becomes a one and done wild card game. If that is the case then who gives the Sox the best chance to win?