Category: Boston Red Sox

The Offense Has Carried The Club And Now It Is the Rotation’s Turn

June 27, 2010 - San Francisco, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES - epa02227074 Boston Red Sox's Andrian Beltre (R) is greeted by teammate Kevin Youkilis after hitting a solo home run off a pitch by San Francisco Giants' Sergio Romo during the ninth inning at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California, USA, 27 June 2010. The Red Sox defeated the Giants 5-1.
As the Red Sox world turns, it is reflecting more and more like a general hospital. On a daily basis another player is heading to the disabled list. The Olde Towne Team needs to keep their collective heads above water until the starters get back on the diamond. The good play since April allows the Red Sox the opportunity to stay in the race even with numerous key players in the training room.

The Red Sox offense is mostly responsible for the May and June resurgence. They lead the American League in runs scored, are second in on-base percentage and first in slugging percentage. The incredible turnaround of David Ortiz and the unconscious Adrian Beltre at the plate have been two that have performed beyond expectations.

6/29 Online Seats Game Thread: Home Sweet Home

After a seemingly endless road stint that left the Boston Red Sox bruised and battered, they will have to mount up once again to take on the Tampa Bay Rays. John Lackey will head out to the mound for Boston, while James Shields will try to handle the Red Sox callups.

Red Sox stumble to break with replacements

June 20, 2010 - Boston, MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES - epa02213853 Boston Red Sox left fielder Daniel Nava fields the ball hit by Los Angeles Dodgers Andre Ethier in the sixth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, USA 20 June 2010.
Looking back on Sunday's lineup we may long for that day these next few weeks. The roster was: Marco Scutaro Daniel Nava David Ortiz Kevin Youkilis Victor Martinez J.D. Drew Bill Hall Darnell McDonald Jon Lester That lineup still held five of our expected starters. Getting back to the AL we will have Adrian Beltre back in that lineup, but with Martinez hitting the DL we are starting to see a lineup half full of replacement level players. Now it looks like Eric Patterson will be getting some time at second as well as Bill Hall, but neither has produced even one WAR in the past three seasons.

Papelbon struggles as Bard dominates

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning of their MLB inter-league baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts June 19, 2010.  REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)
Papelbon has gone from an elite closer to what appears to be a replacement level reliever in just a matter of a few seasons. This year his numbers have fallen off a cliff as his K/9 was always his best skill and even though his walks were going up he could still maintain strong numbers. This year though his K/9 has dropped all the way to 7.67. That's not going to get it done when your walking more than 3 batters every nine innings. Looking at his xFIP of 4.74 you can see he has actually been lucky so far this year. There aren't many signs for what is wrong though. His arm speed is as good as it has ever been and while his slider is a bit slower it has been his best pitch according to run values.

As Usual the Red Sox Need Help in the Bullpen

June 01, 2010: Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Kerry Wood () in game action between the Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. The Indians defeated the Tigers 3-2.
Even before Jonathan Papelbon blew a save on Wednesday night in Denver, the Red Sox needed help in the back end of the bullpen. Daniel Bard can not go two innings each game the Sox are leading in a close game in going into the eighth inning.

Both Papelbon and Hideki Okajima’s production have been trending downward over the past few seasons. Okajima’s K/BB ratio has fallen each since he arrived in Boston. He is becoming more of a situational reliever.