Win some or learn some
Playing nine innings while thinking A-Rod might want to bring some earplugs with him . . .
1. Feels like the Sox-Yankees! again, doesn’t it? Maybe that’s not the most elegant way of phrasing it, but you get the point — the headlines will be bold, the games will be must-see, the buildup and tension will be palpable. It’s not quite like the old days — and by old days, of course I mean pre-2004, when the Yankees usually laughed and the Red Sox loathed after the final out — and thank goodness for that. But there is an intriguing element to this series that, at least for me, hasn’t existed for a while, probably since this point in the calendar a year ago. I can’t be the only one who finds April and May meetings between the rivals to be premature. Red Sox-Yankees matchups are enhanced by the context of what has already taken place in that season. They need to get into their schedule, find their flow and find out who they are, before they test themselves against each other. Now, roughly a third of the way through the schedule, we have a pretty good sense of both of the teams, and the consensus seems to be this: While flawed, they are the two best clubs in the American League, and this three-game set will foreshadow some bigger matchups to come, perhaps even into October. I’m looking forward to Beckett-Burnett. I’m looking forward to whether Mark Teixeira hears more boos than A-Rod. I’m looking forward to medium ground balls eluding Derek Jeter to his left. The Red Sox and Yankees are going toe to toe at Fenway, and this time it feels just like it should.
2. I’m weary of the Dice-K experience right now — tired of talking about it, tired of writing about it, and damn sure tired of watching it. You get the sense Terry Francona is too, given that he had Justin Masterson up in the third inning yesterday. Two-plus seasons into his Red Sox career — and two successful seasons, we should note out of fairness — it remains a mystery as to why he takes such an aggravating, passive approach to pitching. Adding to the frustration is the realization that he will never be anything more than what he is right now, that his talent and potential were overhyped upon his arrival stateside. Or, as a buddy of mine put it more succinctly after taking in yesterday’s game at Fenway: It’s now safe to say that there is no gyroball.
3. I don’t understand the faction of Sox fans who are reluctant to trade Brad Penny in a reasonable deal. He’s pitched well lately — a nice stroke of timing for Theo Epstein — but his statistics are still mediocre (1.60 WHIP, 77 hits in 60 innings, 82 ERA+, he has a reputation for melting down when the going gets tough (see: Kinsler, Ian; Lugo, Julio), and there are conceivably better options waiting in the wings (I would rather have John Smoltz on the mound in October, and I’d rather have Clay Buchholz on the mound right now.) Penny can help some teams, but the way he will most help the Red Sox is by bringing a piece in trade that they really need.
4. So much for the Verducci Effect, huh? Jon Lester, last two starts: 15 innings, 5 hits, 2 earned runs, 5 walks, 23 strikeouts . . . and his last start was as dominating a performance I can recall by a Red Sox lefthander. (Sorry, Mel Parnell was slightly before my time.) Lester needs to go 11-1 to match last year’s record. (Yes, W-L records are often the product of luck and other variables . . . but still.) Considering how he’s throwing the ball lately, he’s entirely capable of such a run.
5. It would be cool if David Ortiz’s eye drops could somehow increase his bat speed, but uncalled-for cheap shots aside, I’m sticking to my statement from last Friday’s chat: He has looked better lately. Better swings, better balance, better results. The next step is to prove his progress is real and sustainable, and I can think of no better team for Big Papi to make his case against than the one the Sox will be facing tomorrow through Thursday. Wishful thinking? Maybe. But we’ve seen miracles out of the man before.
6. If the Sox end up trading a young pitcher for a quality bat, the guess here is that it will be Michael Bowden. Buchholz is as close to as untouchable as it gets — only a blockbuster deal for, say, a 27-year-old Gold Glove first baseman who leads the league in homers in a pitchers’ park or someone similar would entice the Sox to give up the 25-year-old righthander. Justin Masterson, who has the stuff, makeup, and versatility to be an important member of the Sox staff for the next decade, also isn’t going anywhere. But Bowden, a superb young pitcher, but one who peaks in the low 90s with a shortarmed motion that makes your shoulder throb just watching his delivery, has never had more appeal to a potential trade partner after his impressive performance in Triple A this season at age 22. He’d be the pride of the farm system for many teams. For the Sox, he’s the third-most appealing among their young pitchers, maybe fourth, depending upon how fast you think Junichi Tazawa can rise.
7. Interesting to see that the Red Sox reportedly showed some interest in Orlando Cabrera. Based on his numbers — .236 average, .286 on-base percentage — his offensive decline seems well underway at age 34, and his demeanor in the clubhouse gets mixed reviews. But bringing him to Boston worked out fairly well once before if I recall correctly, and at least you know he’ll provide sure hands at shortstop. At this point, that’s more than enough.
8. In a related note, isn’t Julio Lugo destined to play for the Mets at some point? Seems like an ideal fit. Make it happen, Omar. And soon. You know you want to. C’mon, dude, just do it. (Wait. You don’t think he still dislikes Theo, do you?)
9. As for today’s Completely Random Baseball Card:
Yankees fans have been gnawing their way out of the woodwork this week, so I figure we should give them one of their favorites. Little-known fact: This is the closest the charming Brown ever came to smiling.
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