Friday Links

Everything is coming up Mookie. Picture by Kelly O’Connor, sittingstill.smugmug.com

After dropping 5 out of 7 games on the west coast, the Red Sox stumbled into just their second off day of the month. Boston is set to open a fairly important series with the team directly above them in the AL East standings this weekend: The New York Yankees. Currently the Red Sox sit 8 games out of first place in the division, while their arch rivals sit 5 games behind the top spot. Just by looking at the pitching match-ups scheduled for this weekend, the early advantage would have to go to the Red Sox. Boston is set to send Brandon Workman, Jon Lester, and John Lackey to the hill, while the Yankees are prepared to sandwich Masahiro Tanaka between Vidal Nuno and Chase Whitley. While a series sweep would obviously be the best case scenario for the Red Sox, simply winning the series could go a long way in helping them climb back into the playoff picture.

• This season and last season are obviously different in more ways than one. Not only are the Red Sox not playing like a team fresh off a World Series victory, but they also can’t seem to find the same offense that led the league in multiple categories last year. The offensive drop off has been staggering, and chiefly responsible for the Boston’s sub par year. (Position by position, Boston’s offensive deficiencies)

• The Red Sox want to keep Jon Lester, and Jon Lester wants to keep the Red Sox, so what’s the hold up on extending the free agent to be? In the weeks leading up to the July 31st trade deadline, Boston’s front office should turn their attention away from fielding offers for the southpaw, and towards extending Lester long term. (The Red Sox should not consider trading Jon Lester)

• With the Red Sox outfield bats continuing to struggle at the plate and Mookie Betts setting the world on fire down in triple-A, it almost seems foolish not to recall the 21 year old at this point. Betts’ couldn’t be any worse than his counterpart in Boston Jackie Bradley Jr., and could provide Boston with the lead-off hitter they’ve been searching for. (What is Mookie Betts still doing in Pawtucket?)

• This season may seem like a wash if you look at the Red Sox record and their subsequent place within the playoff picture, but it’s still too early to disband the 2014 squad. While it might not seem like it, there are plenty of reasons to keep the Red Sox together; the AL East is wide open, the Red Sox starters have been the best in the division, and the potential for offense is still there. (Too early to blow up these Red Sox)

• Usually when a player is tossed from a game, the reason for their ejection is made obvious to the fans. However, when A.J. Pierzynski was tossed from a match against the Cleveland Indians earlier this month, there didn’t seem to be any clear cut reason why. Now 3 weeks later, we know the hilarious story that lead to Pierzynski’s departure. (A.J. Pierzynski earned early June ejection with classic umpire insult)

• Tweet of the day: Even on misplays, Mookie can do no wrong