A Reason to Stay in the Game, Prince Felix’ 2010

For those of you looking for a reason to watch the final two weeks of the 2010 season… With 13 games remaining, the Sox’ turbulent season is winding to a close. For the players, there is plenty of reason to be motivated. The young call-ups are receiving their first cups of big league coffee. The veterans are making that last push for next year’s employment. For the team, there is little to keep the drive alive. Trailing the Rays by 6.5 games in the Wild Card and the Yanks by 7.0 in the division, there is little reason to hope. By now, most have sacked up for the long winter, focusing on the Pats while they await the Sox’ April restart. But in those final 13 matches, the Sox have one last trick up their sleeve -- two three-game series against New York. A 1 in 100 Hail Mary pass. A long shot, but a shot none the less. Now, before we get any images of grandeur, let’s get something straight: this is, quite literally, a 1 in 100 shot.

Is This It?

For a brief shining moment there, it seemed like these Red Sox were poised for a legendary season. Beset by injuries, hampered by a slow and painful start, facing an uphill battle against two tough divisional foes, the Sox rode unlikely bats, some exceptional pitching by Lester and Buchholz, and the resurgence of David Ortiz to within four games before the All-Star Break. It was a hell of a story, but it appears that the story may finally be grinding to a halt.

The injury to Kevin Youkilis could be seen as just another blow to a lineup already held together by wishes and duct tape, but it's more than that. Youkilis has been the Sox most potent offensive force for at least two years now, and he was the glue that held this offense together for most of the season. His loss leaves the club a second rate power, and it leaves the offense without its most important player for the first time all year. 6.5 games out, with the Rays surging and the Yankees treading water, the team is not done, but they cannot afford to lose any more ground or waste any more time. They need a run of epic proportions, and that's what Youk's injury endangers more than anything else.

7/16 Online Seats Game Thread: Second Half Stumble

Not exactly the way to start off the second half of the year, but the Boston Red Sox will try to get some vengeance against youngster Colby Lewis, as Felix Doubront looks for a second win on the year.

7/6 Online Seats Game Thread: Red Sox Go to the Well, Again

It was, indeed, a cold comeback from a nice holiday weekend. Now, as the injuries continue to mount, the Boston Red Sox's will need to get creative in order to keep their footing in the AL East, sending Felix Doubront to the hill to face Jeff Niemann.

As Usual the Red Sox Need Help in the Bullpen

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.

6/18 Online Seats Game Thread: LA Again?

Just when you couldn't get enough LA in your life, the Dodgers come into town bringing gifts of Manny Ramirez. Have no fear, though, as the Boston Red Sox will turn to trusty ole Felix Doubront... wait a second....

Red Sox to call up Felix Doubront

Over at CBS Sports' MLB Facts and Rumors earlier today, I noted that the Red Sox seemed likely to call up Felix Doubront to start on Friday.

On one hand, it's great news that the Red Sox have developed yet another young lefty (22 years of age) who can step into the rotation. Even if Doubront can't crack the rotation over the next two years (and it will be mighty difficult for him to break past Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka and John Lackey), he'll be a fantastic trade chip and is young enough that he could step in with a bright career ahead of him once Matsuzaka becomes a free agent (after 2012).

On the flip side, I'm a little frustrated that the Red Sox acted so quickly to disabled Matsuzaka for what clearly appears to be "normal" forearm tightness. That said, I can't blame the team for acting so quickly and decisively based on Matsuzaka's past with injuries -- both in terms of how long it takes him to recover, but also in that Matsuzaka has been less than forthcoming about injuries. With Josh Beckett two weeks out, Doubront may be in line to get two starts, but the team may be able to jigger getting Matsuzaka back next week.

Bullpen positives and negatives

Look on the bright side. When it comes to the Sox best relief pitchers, all are home grown.

Yet, outside of Jonathan Papelbon, Daniel Bard and Manny Delcarmen there has not been a lot to like about the Sox bullpen this year. You probably had the feeling, as I did, heading into the season that the relief corps would be somewhat of a problem when the big decision heading out of Fort Myers was whether to carry Scott Schoeneweis or Scott Atchison.

Into the second week of June, the Sox bullpen has an ERA of 4.24. Compare that to the strong relief that a team like the Padres are getting (2.70 ERA) or or the Rays (3.23) and you see just how far off the pace Boston has fallen in an area that presumably was a strength coming into the season and was a relative strength last year (3.80 ERA).

Temporary — and Permanent — Rotation Fixes, Lowell to Anaheim?

Temporary -- and Permanent -- Rotation Fixes Night after night, hit after hit, the Sox rotation is looking more like a punch-drunk boxer than a viable contender. Though Lester has reaffirmed his ace status and Buchholz has put together a nice season on the surface, there just isn’t much to lean on after those two. Lackey at least keeping the team in games with a 4.84 ERA/5.26 xFIP, Daisuke (5.77 ERA/5.48 xFIP) and Tim Wakefield (5.68 ERA/5.54 xFIP) can’t find their groove. Though we knew what we were getting into trotting Daisuke to the mound – with his salary making him that much more cumbersome and immobile – the focus shifts to Tim Wakefield.

The state of the bullpen

This offseason has centered mostly around the improved defense and addition of John Lackey to our rotation. The bullpen though has been largely left to small moves to patch up the back and look for solid years from the rest. As it stands the pen returns Jonathon Papelbon, Daniel Bard, Hideki Okajima, Ramon Ramirez and Manny Delcarmen. The starting rotation currently has 6 solid starters with Tim Wakefield as a long reliever and Boof Bonser as a long shot to squeeze in. They have also added Brian Shouse, Edwin Moreno, Jorge Sosa, Scott Atchinson, Robert Manuel and Ramon A. Ramirez. The team entered 2009 with 12 starting pitchers including 5 starters and 7 relievers. Let's assume they enter 2010 with the same numbers, but we'll label the last reliever as on the bubble as he could be a minor league option. Sure Things Closer and setup are solid with Papelbon and Bard continuing were they left 2009. We have had plenty of discussions about these two here, here, here and here. While Bard still has some questions and his projections show he isn't quite ready to be be a closer, but a solid setup man. His CHONE projection calls for a 3.48 ERA and only a 2.09 K/BB. I have some doubts about that K/BB and think he can be much better as does MARCEL and Bill James at 2.53 and 2.80 respectively.