In the latest edition of the Firebrand poll, we asked: Cool Standings has the Red Sox with an 83.8% chance at making a postseason appearance (as of 8/12) with a 42.5% likelihood of overtaking the Rays in the A.L. East. Call it now, how will this pennant race play out?:
- atch out Rays, here we come and we’re taking the A.L. East title with us
63% of all votes
- The Wild Card has treated us well in the past, bring on the Angels
26% of all votes
- 3rd place in the A.L. East, what is this 2006?
7% of all votes
- Close but no cigar, no playoffs (but at least we beat the Yankees)
4% of all votes
Now that we established unabashed optimism has replaced the “morass of negativity” in the Greater Boston area, let us consider how the Red Sox will mount that comeback and specifically who the keys to that run might be in this poll courtesy of Daniel Rathman.
New Poll (to the right): If the Red Sox are to make the playoffs and succeed in October, which one of the following struggling players absolutely must right his ship?
- Jacoby Ellsbury
- Jason Varitek
- Josh Beckett
- Clay Buchholz
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I’m gonna say Beckett. For all our depth, there’s no one sure thing out there sans Lester.
I’m going with Jacoby, I think that Beckett was in the process of getting better until that last debacle. He should improve. If Jacoby rights the ship then the whole lineup becomes a lot more dynamic
There is no key. No one person will catch Tampa.
It is a combination lock, including Beckett, Daisuke and Lester who have to pitch like the Aces they are: with the back end of the rotation coming through as #3’s (Colon, Buchholz, Byrd, Wake); and SOMEONE replacing the good Gagne, Oki, MDC in the 8th, right NOW, even Colon, Buchholz or Pauley. If there is a key, it is dominant pitching. The hitting is generally great.
However, if Jacoby can’t lead off yet, leave him in the 9th hole for the rest of the year until he gets his stroke and confidence back. He will contribute from there, and it is not essential for him to lead off. Not on this team. Also, DO NOT replace Lowrie.
it’s none of those! the key to the red sox catching tampa are longoria and crawford.
the only thing that gives the red sox a realistic chance of catching tampa at this point is if their offense goes in the toilet with those two guys out.
if tampa goes .500 the red sox have to go like 24-9 or something of this last month+ to catch them.
unlikely.
I’m going with no one on the Red Sux because they wont catch the TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS this year!