When Boston Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein talked about improving the defense and pitching, using the term “run prevention,” it was his way of saying they weren’t willing to shell out big bucks to retain Jason Bay or bring in a slugger to solidify the middle of the lineup.
Fine.
The defense has stunk and the starting pitching has underachieved but those areas will eventually come around.
My biggest concern is the bullpen, primarily the middle relief.
Hideki Okajima doesn’t fool anybody anymore and has allowed six hits and three runs in his last four outings spanning just 3¤ innings prior to Monday night’s game in Toronto. He has allowed at least two runners to reach base via hit or walk in five of his 10 outings and only one of the 10 outings lasted more than one inning and that was 1 1/3.
Ramon Ramirez has allowed 12 hits and seven earned runs in just 8 1/3 innings. Enough said
Manny Delcarmen has surrendered only two hits in 8 1/3 innings but has walked six. He has walked at least one hitter in five of his seven outings.
Scott Atchison has given up eight hits and six earned runs in 8 2/3 innings.
Scott Schoeneweis has allowed nine hits and walked five in 9 1/3 innings.
It would help if they would throw a first-pitch strike and get ahead of hitters.
Jonathan Papelbon has walked eight and allowed seven hits in 10 innings but he is 5-for-5 in saves. So even though he makes life interesting, he gets the job done.
Daniel Bard has been inconsistent but he’s young and that can be expected. He has fanned eight in his last four outings, encompassing 5ª innings. He’s going to be a good one.
Now Tim Wakefield is going to the bullpen much to his dismay. I don’t feel sorry for him. He had a 5.40 earned run average as a starter. Daisuke Matsuzaka deserves a chance to start.
I’m not sure how this is going to work but it’s certainly worth a try. Just don’t bring him on with the tying run on third or with runners on base and less than two outs.
His knuckleball can find its way to the backstop at any time and everybody can steal.
In fact, everybody can steal on all of the Red Sox pitchers and catchers. Never mind Tampa Bay’s Carl Crawford, this Red Sox team couldn’t throw out Broderick Crawford (heavyset Academy Award-winning actor and star of the TV show “Highway Patrol.”)
The Red Sox must find a pair of reliable middle relievers to bridge the gap between the starters and Bard/Papelbon.
Now.
— Larry Mahoney
Believing in Billis becoming difficult
The New England Patriots may no longer be on the clock, but there’s no time limit on the second-guessing, cynicism and dissection of their selections in the 2010 NFL Draft.
Judging by fan reaction to the last two seasons and the last couple of drafts, the popular “In Bill we trust” mantra isn’t quite as widely accepted as it used to be. Funny how a five-year Super Bowl trophy drought can weaken the devotion of a fan base that was able to live with a 42-year malaise before Belichick’s arrival.
Granted, second-guessing goes hand in hand with being a fan. In fact, it’s almost a responsibility. So let’s not shirk our responsibilities:
After trading twice to move down and add picks, the Patriots finally made their first overall selection. Hope I’m not the only one doing a double-take and feeling embarrassed about the fact I’d forgotten about Devin McCourty of Rutgers University, despite the Scarlet Knights’ recent success.
I was looking for names like Sergio Kindle or others connected to the position of defensive lineman or linebacker.
That McCourty was the NCAA’s No. 1 tackler last year made me feel a little better, but a cornerback? Sure, New England’s secondary has lacked the luster of the days when names like Law, Milloy and Harrison made opposing receivers flinch, but what about the sorely lacking defensive pressure up front? Unless McCourty is blitzing a lot, the Pats won’t be getting that from him.
Yes, Kindle has medical issues that caused more than a few teams concern, but there were other pass-rushers and space-fillers who can run available. If the Patriots knock off the pass-happy Colts next time around and McCourty is part of the reason, I’ll happily admit this cynicism was unfounded.
The rest of the Pats’ passel of picks didn’t seem like much to spike the ball over at first, but there is reason for optimism — even with a 6-foot-5 punter picked in the (gasp) fifth round.
Even a diehard University of Tennessee fan can admit the Patriots may have some bonafide players to put on the field in Florida Gators Jermaine Cunningham, Brandon Spikes and Aaron Hernandez. Spikes and Hernandez both seem to be the popular picks as the Pats’ biggest draft steals.
Hernandez led the Gators in catches as Tim Tebow’s favorite target (think he may grow on Tom Brady as well?) and Spikes is a guy who has been compared to Bryan Cox and whose last name evokes his toughness.
If an orange-dyed-in-the-wool Volunteers fan can find reasons to be satisfied with a group of Gators, maybe there’s still reason to believe in Bill.
— Andrew Neff