Random Thoughts...

Musings while watching the Sox cough one up to the Blue Jays

Is JD Drew EVER going to come through in a big situation? He failed again tonight whiffing with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh with the Sox leading 4-3. As the $70 million bust returned to the dugout Tito tapped him on the behind in encouragement. He should have whacked him in the back of the head with his fungo bat.

And speaking of failing, Kevin Youkilis then struck out right after Drew to leave the bases loaded and kill a golden opportunity to put the game out of reach. Predictably, the Jays went on to tie and then win the game. Poor Youk has been in a steady death spiral in the second half for the second straight year. After being the team's most valuable position player in the first half, Youk has fizzled down the stretch again. I thought he did some intensive training in the offseason so this wouldn't happen again. He'd better get a new trainer this year.

Thanks to a late surge by the Sox it appears they will make the playoffs one way or the other. But after talking all year long about how this team was built for the playoffs, shouldn't we be worried about the starting rotation? Beckett as the staff ace is the real deal but where do you go after that? Dice K is clearly out of gas in his first major league season in a five man rotation. Maybe if they can clinch early enough they can get him some much needed rest. Schilling is painful to watch and is a couple of starts away from being Mike Mussina. Tonight's effort against the Jays has been typical. He looks good for a while, then the 88 mph fast ball starts jumping off opposing bats like mortar rockets. Tim Wakefield has arguably been the number two pitcher on the staff but do you trust his back or knuckleball in a short series? They may have to. This is clearly a concern.

Why does Tito persist in resting Pedoria while running Lugo out there every day. Pedro is 23 years old. HE DOESN'T NEED ANY FREAKING REST! Since we now know that Theo is dictating decisions from the executive box, could he be mandating that his man crush Lugo has to stay in the lineup? What other possible logical explanation can there be?

I would never say this team does not need Manny, because they do, but hasn't the team looked crisper and more alert since he left the lineup? The outfield defense went up a couple of notches and there haven't been as many adventures on the basepaths. The lesson is that although Manny is one of the best right handed hitters in baseball history, he is not indispensable.

As for next year, where do we put Jacoby? I like Kevin in New York's idea. Send Drew into the offseason with a first basemen's mitt and tell him to come back ready to play first. Or does Theo have to clear that with Scott Boras? Unfortunately, because of the way Theo has mismanaged his payroll, either Youk or Lowell will not be back and that would probably leave the classy Lowell out in the open market. But since Drew and his albatross salary is not going anywhere, what choice do they have? Disgusting.

In an earlier post I urged the Yankees to make a race out of the AL East to get the Sox battle tested in anticipation of the playoffs. Looking at the numbers, the Sox clearly have played better when they have been challenged. They have played 54 games when their lead was 6 games or less. They have gone 35-19 in those games for a .648 winning percentage. In the 85 games where their lead has been larger than 6 games they have gone 49-37, a .563 clip. They obviously need to be pushed, something that will happen every night in the playoffs.

Don't you enjoy watching the Jays without Frank Catalanotto or Ted Lilly? Or when Reed Johnson is not playing? Although Gregg Zaun and Vernon Wells continue to be real pains in the butt.

Magic number is still 17 and we go to Baltimore for four while the Yankees vacation in Kansas City for three easy wins. This is not over. Don't you know deep down that it will come down to a frosty October series between the Sox and the Bombers for the right to play a four game exhibition series against the National League for the Championship?