Um….OK then.

So, not exactly what one hopes for over a weekend. You would have thought that the Sox could have pulled out at least one of those games. But, that’s the way the ball bounces sometimes. Looking for bright spots? You’ve come to the right place.
Jon Lester is supposed to be OK. This would have been crushing. Of course, we’ll have to wait and see if it’s really not going to be a problem. We’ve heard a million times that a pitcher legs are more important that it would seem. So, a sore or bruised quad could be an issue over constant pounding. I’m not a pitcher, so I don’t know if it’s better that it’s his plant leg, or not. We’ll have to see next time. Of course, that line drive is the best reason why the Sox wouldn’t be trying for the division. It was in the early innings, so it’s not such a huge deal. But, if it was in the eighth inning of a close game that they didn’t need to win? That would have been annoying. I’m predicting five or six innings from here on out form the Sox starters. Let the September call-ups in the bullpen earn their World Series rings.
Dice-K’s start couldn’t be more encouraging. I don’t know what people were expecting. But, I for one didn’t expect that. If our number four starter can do that, the Yankees can go ahead and take the longer ALDS schedule. I’ll take the Sox’s chances with Dice on the mound. It’s rounding into a pretty formidable rotation that the Sox can throw that would match up well with anyone.
Even Paul Byrd threw a pretty good game. He probably has a spot on the playoff roster as a long man, and that wouldn’t be a bad thing. I haven’t run down the players and the spots to see where he’d fit, but having a playoff veteran out there in the pen has to be a good thing for the Sox.
Is it too early to be talking about playoff rosters? Of course not. Even if the Sox put me in the rotation, they could go 2-5 at home against Toronto and Cleveland. Plus, they only need to be that good if Texas can go undefeated the rest of the way. That’s not exactly likely either. So, the Sox will go in as the Wild Card, which is actually nice. It really helps with the scheduling. We know which games will be at home already. It’s not going to suddenly change. It makes planning so much easier. Plus, the Red Sox keep sweeping teams, so the home field advantage doesn’t come into play anyhow.
I can’t wait for October!