Even the optimist is starting to reach for his life preserver at this point. The Sox having an embarassing 89 run ratio and are 4-7 since the All-Star Break. Manny's pulling his annual temper tantrum, his ego stroked by his Boras(s), pretty boy hasn't stolen a base all month, and our pitching is uninspiring at best. And then there's Tek's slump, while in the background, Lowell has settled into his mid-season pre-WS MVP lackluster performance. Errors are up, batting average is down.
But one question remains... how in the world can the Sox be playing as poorly as they are and still only be 2 games out of first in one of the most competitive divisions in the league?
Just two weekends ago, the Sox were swept by the Halos in a three game set, then just barely survived Seattle (who is like 22 games back, mind you), and nearly avoided a sweep with the Yanks just a few days ago. And that doesn't even consider the embarassing sweep in Tampa at the beginning of the month where we ran home with our tail between our legs after promising redemption against the Rays for that nasty little brawl back in May. Absent a win tonight, against a newly supersized LA club, the brooms come out again. Looking ahead, life doesn't get that much simplier for the struggling Sox, with Oakland and the White Sox, in Chicago, coming right up in the next few weeks. But yet, we are still a contender. What's up with that?
The answer is pretty simple. If you look position-to-position around the horn, the Sox are even or have the edge in almost every locale (of course excluding SS, but I have to say, Lowrie has a long career ahead of him)... when they are playing at their best. The problem is, no one seems to be playing up to snuff. Four holes in a lineup does not a winning team make. Manny's not the problem, nor if Theo's hesitation in making big moves this time of year. The talent's there, it's just underachieving.
Truth be told, I'd like to believe the Rays don't have the staying power of the bigger clubs, and they're 15 minutes has certainly expired following that little 7-game losing streak after the Break. But I have three words for you: 2007. Colorado. Rockies.
I'll be the last one to give any credit to the Yankees, but they're recent moves are nothing to joke about. Nady and Marte were a steal. Plus, Sexton is the perfect Yankee... who better to wear the pinstripes than an angry, mound-storming ego. He'll fit right in. And to be honest, I'd watch him over Giambi any day. Just thinking about that sweaty mustache on that fat steroid-neck makes me throw up in my mouth a little. Just saying.
Just over 23 hours until the deadline I think it's safe to say Theo's not making any major moves. We'll lose the battle for Streets just like we did for Tex, Holliday's staying put, Tejada's bad behavior will prevent him from ever wearing a Boston uniform, and Manny won't become 2008's Nomar.
What the Sox need more than anything is some morale and a little faith from RSN. Something RSN knows all about.
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