What do we really expect from this Sox team? During the 16-6 streak, I really thought they could contend for a playoff spot. I was encouraged by the performances of rookies Will Middlebrooks, Daniel Nava, and Felix Doubront. But was that streak just “smoke and mirrors”?
The team has had a terrible run of injuries. Each day we read about Carl Crawford, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Andrew Bailey at various stages of rehab, but I don’t believe any of them will be back before the all-star break. In addition, mainstays like Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia have battled ailments, though both are now back.
A check of players the Sox used in Friday night’s game against Washington’s Stephen Strasburg, one of the best young pitchers in the majors, is pretty discouraging. Outside of Youkilis and Pedroia,both still showing the effects of injuries, Adrian Gonzales, and the “big three” rookies, the team has to throw out average performers like Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who I think has overachieved. The same applies to Ryan Sweeney, Mike Aviles, and Scott Posednik. The pitching staff is improving but still erratic.
The disabled players will return, but how effective will they be? The team is in a very difficult division-even the Orioles have a wild card chance. The Sox are lucky that the Yankees and Rays are still within striking distance, but how long will it last? The five games remaining with Washington and Miami will be very tough.
Will most Sox fans be happy with a fourth place finish, a few games over .500? Probably not. But after the team’s many setbacks since last September, all I want to see as a fan is a group that battles to the end and doesn’t beat itself. That will satisfy me.
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