I'm back again and I will add my two cents to the discussion on the Red Sox offensive woes. I will also comment on the recent roster transactions and finally, a look at current standings and records since the break.
Clearly, the Sox have had some major struggles on offense since the break, but with the return of Jose Offerman, the Sox have the closest resemblance to the expected line-up since May. The only differences are Valentin (Injured for most of the season) and Stanley (released), essentially replaced by Merloni, Lansing, Hatteberg, and Brogna. I did some analysis regarding the Sox batting order and I came up with some interesting stats:
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1. Jason Varitek has no business batting anywhere before 7th in the
batting order. Look at these startling numbers: |
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2. Brian Daubach should not bat 3rd and he is a totally different player
at home. Again, a look at the startling differences: |
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3. Trot Nixon should bat 1st or 2nd. Check the Stats: |
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4. Nomar hits about the same, batting 3rd or 4th: |
5. Everett has struggled batting 4th in his few appearances there (low .200's for a BA). |
Jimy had a good line-up tonight and I hope that we see more of it,
especially where he has Daubach and Varitek. This was Wednesday's
line-up:
1. Offerman 1B
2. Nixon RF
3. Everett CF
4. Nomar SS
5. O'Leary LF
6.
Daubach DH
7. Merloni 3B
8. Varitek C
9. Lansing 2B
Jimy might mix it up a little by putting Brogna at 1st (Offie at 2nd)
and putting Varitek 7th, Brogna 8th, and Lou ninth. Hopefully, this will
help to improve the offense.
A look at the recent roster moves is needed at this time.
1. Arrojo has rebounded with 2 nice starts and he looked really good last night. His stats with the Sox: 4 G, 2-1, 4.32 ERA, 25 IP, 17 H, 12 ER, 12 BB, 11 K, 4 HR. Kerrigan has Arrojo keeping his eye on the catcher at all times and this adjustment has helped tremendously in his last 2 starts. So far, Rose has had 3 nice starts for Colorado. The trade seems to have helped both guys.
2. Mike Lansing. What happened to the pop in this guy's bat. He was
mediocre with Colorado, but he has been awful here. 1 Million for him
this year, 6.0 million and a 1.25 million buyout next year makes him a
real expensive acquisition. He has to do better or I expect to see more
of Brogna at 1st and Offie at 2nd.
With Colorado 94-365, .258 BA, 14 2B, 6 3B, 11 HR, 47 RBI, 32 BB, 49 K,
.317 OBP, .419 SLUG, .736 OPS
with Boston 15-65, .221 BA, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 3 BB, 10 K, .265
OBP, .231 SLUG, .496 OPS - PATHETIC comes to my mind.
Those numbers are worse than Sprague or Veras for crying out loud. I
changed my mind, Lan"stink" needs to sit, it is time for Brogna at 1st
and Offerman at 2nd ASAP.
3. Izzy to the DL. If he has an injured back, then I could hit better than Lansing. Oh, wait, maybe I could.
4. Sprague is DFA. Heck, what did Dan expect? The guy was hitting .246 for the year and that is about what his career average is. Where is Sean Berry when you need him?? Izzy came up as a 3rd baseman ..........
5. Lou Merloni returns. He has provided a spark on offense, but he is shaky with the glove. At least he always hustles and he can get a bunt down though. Love the Louuuuuuuuuu chants as well. Lowe bailed him out on Wednesday after the official scorer credited Johnson with a double in the ninth. Lou did make several nice plays though.
6. Ohka in the rotation. He has looked much more relaxed in these last 2 starts. I hope that he keeps it up.
7. Offerman returns from the DL. This has been a lousy year for Offerman. I hope that the rest helped him. It would be a major boost if he could get it going a la O'Leary in July.
Finally a look at the standings in the Wildcard Race. NY is still within range as the Sox have lost only 1 game in the loss column to the Evil Empire since the break. As far as the playoffs go, I think that Chicago is a lock and the final 3 spots will be decided among Boston, Cleveland, New York, Oakland, and Seattle. I feel that Toronto and Anaheim will fade. Despite the struggles of the Sox offense, they are still right in the thick of things. Take a look:
A.L. Wildcard at All Star Break Oakland 48-38 - Toronto 48-41 1.5 Anaheim 47-41 2.0 Boston 43-41 4.0 Cleveland 44-42 4.0 A.L. Wildcard 8/4 Oakland 60-47 - Boston 55-49 3.5 Anaheim 57-52 4.0 Cleveland 54-51 5.0 Toronto 56-54 5.5 A.L. Wildcard 8/17 * late game Oakland * 64-54 - Boston 61-55 2.0 Cleveland * 61-55 2.0 Anaheim 62-58 3.0 Toronto 62-60 4.0 Records since the All Star Break New York 20-13 Cleveland * 17-13 Boston 18-14 Seattle 18-16 Oakland * 16-16
From the eternal optimist, SRYD out
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