Sox Report

I'm going to try and get a weekly/bi-weekly sox report going. Everyone is unhappy with the 2-9 start but really when you look at the numbers it's not surprising. Yes, players are underachieving, but when you watch the Sox play, right now, they look like a 2-9 team!

They are hitting .230 as a team (among the worst in baseball) with Youk (.182), Crawford (.152), Ellsbury (.189), and Scutaro hitting a robust (.172). The only guys you can say have done a solid job are Pedroia (.366 and putting on a laser show) and J.D. Drew, who still looks lost against left-handers with a breaking ball; but has really been consistent so far for Boston.

They have a team ERA of 6.77 (almost a full run worse than ANYONE else in baseball). Leading that charge is good ole John Lackey (15.58--its never a good sign when your ERA is about as much as the millions of dollars you are making this year) and he somehow is leading Dice K (12.86). Overall leading the team is Rhode Island's own Dan Wheeler (loving the 18.90 out of the pen) and one of the biggest disappointments is how bad Daniel Bard has been (9.64 with 2 losses already).

If this continues some changes are going to have to be made, a fire is going to have to be lit under this team. I think that the Sox should seriously look at calling up one or both of OF Ryan Kalish (gave them a big boost last season) and SS Jose Iglesias from Pawtucket. Ellsbury isn't doing ANYTHING and Kalish gives you a little more pop, meanwhile Iglesias' bat is only getting better and his glove is already better than anything the sox have right now.

For pitching, Dice K needs to be designated for assignment or flat-out released, and I would like to see one of Felix Doubrount, Rich Hill, or Michael Bowden get a shot at the fifth spot.

Now a look ahead to the weekend--4 with the Turf Birds...

The Blue Jays are managed by former Redsox pitching coach John Farrell (in his first season). They are 6-6 on the season. Last year they led the majors in home runs (including 54 from Jose Bautista). So far this season, they are 10th in MLB with a .266 BA, are not quite on the same pace of HRs as they were last season but still boast power potential but are a bet for some strikeouts as they do not walk very much. Early on their biggest threat at the plate has been Jose Bautista, but watch out for Edwin Encarnacion (1b/3b) and J.P. Arencibia (C) who could make the monster their personal playground.

The team ERA is 3.07, good enough for 6th in the majors and at the end of the game they turn it over to Right handers Jon Rauch (closer) and Jason Frasor (set-up man). 

Friday-Brett Cecil LHP 0-1 (7.20 ERA) vs. Clay Buchholz RHP 0-2 (7.20 ERA) 7PM
Saturday- Jo-Jo Reyes LHP 0-1 (5.23 ERA) vs. Josh Beckett RHP 1-1 (2.08 ERA) 1PM
Sunday- Jesse Litsch RHP 1-0 (2.38 ERA) vs. Jon Lester LHP 0-1 (3.72 ERA) 1:30PM
Monday- Ricky Romero LHP 1-1 (1.62 ERA) vs. Hiroshima Matsuzaka RHP 0-2 (12.86 ERA) 11AM

I will say the sox split the series.