Talking to a very knowledgeable, impartial baseball fan the other day about Bonds, the White Sox and other big stories in baseball, fittingly, the Red Sox sprang into discussion. He is one that was never fazed by the ?Idiots?. Actually, he strongly dislikes Kevin Millar, Johnny Damon and most of that 2004 championship team. Whether that point goes along with his conservative views in other topics, I have no idea, but he has a completely different feeling about 2006. He claimed, ?the Red Sox not only have the most likable team in the past few years, but they?re the most balanced. It really helps when you have other areas of your team to rely on when one isn?t working in the playoffs.? Maybe I don?t agree with the first part, but I can definitely attest to the second part.
Last year was very fun. I can?t deny that. Theo built yet another playoff team, even battling with New York for most of the season for that elusive division title that has been placed in the Bronx since 1995. As September rolled on, you could feel that the style of the 2005 team would eventually falter. With every 9-7 win over Tampa Bay, and every comeback, walk-off, gruesome win against Toronto late in the season, it appeared the Sox were barely hanging on. Not only that, but the 2005 Sox relied way too much on the offense, something that usually haunts a team in October when the playoffs heat up. Going into the Chicago series, I was lacking confidence like I had against the Angels in 2004 or Oakland in 2003. Basically, with a playoff rotation of Matt Clement, David Wells and Tim Wakefield, the offense would have to carry the load for 11 wins without any off-days. From my baseball viewing experience, I knew this wouldn?t happen. When the White Sox swept the Red Sox off Fenway Park, was I surprised? Not even close.
The 2006 Red Sox are composed entirely of a different brand. Most casual baseball fans arguing against this years Sox team will point a finger at the losses in the lineup, when realistically, the bats didn?t lose any thunder. Kevin Youkilis is performing as the polar opposite of the 2005 Kevin Millar. Mike Lowell has proved an offensive force over Bill Mueller (have you seen all the warning track outs Lowell has hit the past week?). Although Renteria lacked in terms of clutch hitting and other offensive areas, most AAA shortstops can pose more of a threat than Alex Gonzalez at the plate. I feel like I?m in the National League. The other changes? Well, Crisp and Damon is incomplete, although Damon isn?t exactly bringing the house down in New York with his bat. Loretta, who has jolted his average higher on a consistent basis, beats out Mark Bellhorn in terms of reliability. I would say the change in offense is anything but a decline.
The pitching is obvious. Whether Curt Schilling is ?struggling? or not, Curt and Josh Beckett were added to a shaky, but yet stellar rotation (if that makes sense). Remember, David Wells can still pitch, contrary to what anybody claims. The bullpen combination of Papelbon, who is quickly growing into the best closer in baseball, and Timlin shutting down batters in the setup hole, has proved tremendous. Having Keith Foulke and Julian Tavarez backing up Papelbon and Timlin exemplifies stronger depth than any other bullpen besides Chicago, and even that can be argued.
Looking at the big picture, the balance of the 2006 Red Sox will serve wonders down the stretch run. Sure, avoidable losses like tonight against Baltimore will happen once in a while, but I still like the Sox taking the division over New York. I?m not quite ready to pull the plug on the effectiveness of Randy Johnson, but personally, I?ll take Josh Beckett over the course of the season. The middle relief of the Yankees is desolate. Scott Proctor?s shoulder actually detached from the rest of his arm Tuesday against Texas, and Kyle Farnsworth is an exploding bomb. Even Mariano Rivera looks hittable. We know the Yankee offense will be there, but don?t you see the Bronx Bombers shaping out quite like the 2005 Sox? Leading the league in runs, marching into the playoffs with pitching and bullpen issues, relying on 5-6 runs per game during the playoffs to win a series?it just seems all too familiar.
Right now, Boston stands at 23-15, tied in first place with the Yankees, two games ahead of Toronto. The Sox are off tomorrow night, then travel to Philadelphia (Clement, Beckett, DiNardo), before returning to Fenway with New York for three and Tampa for four. The Yankees play the rival Mets this weekend, then three at home vs. Kansas City following their trip to Fenway. Unfortunately, getting Tampa at home cancels out with KC going to the Bronx in terms of gaining ground in the division. Keeping those guys in the race with Matsui and Sheffield on the DL causes me to dry heave all over the keyboard. The Sox series with New York at Fenway is absolutely crucial.
And finally, a question for the readers over a player vital to Boston?s success this season- Coco Crisp. When is our centerfielder returning? My guess would be early June. If there?s a God, Crisp will be back for a four-game set in Yankee Stadium June 5th. Predictions anybody?
