Did you see Sox failure coming? I did

It may seem silly for me to contend that I saw this short exit by Boston in the postseason coming given I picked Boston to win the whole shebang in 7, but… I’m not in the least bit surprised by what happened.

I think part of the reason why I didn’t really talk about it and hedged in person about the Sox’s chances is because I didn’t particularly want to admit it.

Oh, make no mistake: This was a World Series-caliber team, and I’m singing a different tune this morning if Jonathan Papelbon had any clue that you can’t just throw a fastball and expect to get away with it.

But this was also a team that could exit stage-left rather quickly. The bats went cold, the starting pitching was decent enough, and the bullpen was solid — but nowhere the fearsome combo it was earlier in the season.

The big thing, for me, though? What really got me is the lack of energy I saw with the team.

POLL: Biggest Sox need?

New Poll Question: What is the Red Sox’s biggest need?

• A legitimate No. 3 SP
• An above-average shortstop
• Another power bat..somewhere…anywhere!
• Retaining Jason Bay
• Nothing; it’s OK to lose in the postseason sometimes

You tell me. Vote in the poll on the sidebar.