Who Are the Real Sox?

Was the Sox 20-8 start a mirage? I'm beginning to think so. Their April surge was based on fine pitching, excellent fielding, and timely hitting. All seem to have disappeared in May. The only effective starters have been Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz, and though they both have been excellent, the rest of the staff is suffering. A season-ending injury to Joel Hanrahan and the disabling of Andrew Bailey have hurt the bullpen. The defense has become porous, the latest a misplay of a popup by Mike Napoli on Tuesday, helping Tampa Bay to five runs, wiping out a 3-0 deficit. Timely hitting has become decidedly untimely. In Saturday's 3-2 loss to Toronto, the Sox were 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position, ruining a fine effort by Buchholz.

 

The defense is probably only going through a slump. but the lack of big bats is beginning to become apparent. After an excellent start, David Ortiz has tailed off and there is talk of more injury problems. Jacoby Ellsbury has slumped and stopped stealing bases. The 6-7-8 hitters on Tuesday were batting .182, .200 and .232 respectively. Will Middlebrooks, after a good start, is averaging on the Mendoza line. In short, the timeliness of their early hitting may have masked the fact that their attack is not very strong, despite Wednesday's 9-2 victory.

 

The 3-4-5 hurlers, who were promising early, have begun to fade. Ryan Dempster was bombed in his last start. Felix Doubront's ERA stands at 6.40. John Lackey is working hard, but can't be expected to fill a stopper role.

 

Before the season began, the Sox were generally pegged for fourth or fifth in a strong division. That may still happen. Baltimore and New Yord have surged, the Rays recently won 6 in a row, and even the Jays are beginning to come around. If the Sox fall to .500 or below, there will be some hand-wringing. But we must remember that this is a transitional year, with many new faces. There are some good players in the minors, but most are at least a year away.

 

If the losing continues, it is the job of John Farrell and the coaches to avoid the finger-pointing that characterized the team in late 2011 and all of 2012. I'd like to see a winning club, but more importantly a team that I feel proud to root for. We'll see.