Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:35 am
That was awesome, also the blonde masks Friday night for
A-hole, er A-Rod:
A-hole, er A-Rod:
07/11/2007 12:00 PM ET
Red Sox midterm report
Pitching propels club to dominating first half of season
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
BOSTON -- April 17. That's how far you have to go back to find the last time the Red Sox left the ballpark as anything other than a first-place team. For a team looking to win the American League East for the first time since 1995, this has the makings of a gratifying season.
So don't look for the Red Sox to get content with the lead, even if it stays at a sizable margin. The Red Sox will start the second half with a 10-game edge in the AL East.
Pitching is what it takes to get deep into October, and the Red Sox like what they offer in that department. Josh Beckett has emerged into the ace by putting all his considerable talent together. Jonathan Papelbon continues to be a force at last call. Hideki Okajima has turned into a dominant setup man. And after being shut down with shoulder tendinitis on June 19, Curt Schilling hopes to give the Red Sox a healthy and productive second half once he returns.
The bats have been less consistent, though still productive more often than not. Kevin Youkilis has been the steadiest force at the plate, and Dustin Pedroia has emerged into a solid hitter in his rookie year. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez haven't been at their monster-mashing best just yet, but the Red Sox have confidence that they will.
After the second-half downturn of 2006, the Red Sox are determined to get back to the postseason for the fourth time in the last five years.
Club MVP: Youkilis. In his second full season, the first baseman has been consistently productive. He's been equally adept at driving up pitch counts and driving the ball. Youkilis has also played Gold Glove-caliber defense at first base.
Call him 'Ace': Beckett. A year later, the Red Sox have gotten the front-line starter they projected when they dealt top prospect Hanley Ramirez to the Marlins. Beckett has turned dominant performances into the rule rather than the exception.
Greatest strength: Starting pitching depth. The Red Sox are confident about their starting pitcher on a nightly basis. Daisuke Matsuzaka finished the half with a surge. If Schilling can regain his form, the Red Sox could have as good a front three as there is in the league.
Biggest problem: Setup relief. Beyond Okajima, there is uncertainty in this area. Mike Timlin, Brendan Donnelly and Joel Pineiro all have health issues. Is Manny Delcarmen ready to be the consistent reliever the Red Sox have been hoping for?
Midterm Report 2007
Complete coverage >
Biggest surprise: Okajima. Unlike Matsuzaka, there was no hype regarding Okajima in the offseason. But the lefty has turned into a lights-out southpaw, backed by a changeup that has splitter-like action.
Team needs: Bullpen arms. Like probably every contending team, this is what the Red Sox will be looking for as the July 31 trade deadline nears. The Sox could also use a solid defender off the bench in the outfield.
He said it: "There's nothing like pitching in the playoffs and being a part of that and contributing and trying to help a team win a world championship. It's the ultimate goal." -- Beckett
Mark your calendar:
July 23-26 at Indians: A four-game series against a team that currently leads the AL Central could be a good litmus test for how well the Red Sox are positioned for crunch time.
Aug. 17-19 vs. Angels: This four-game set begins with a day-night doubleheader. The AL West-leading Angels are one of the most underrated teams in the game.
Aug. 28-30 at Yankees: Will the Yankees still be in contention by the time the rivals meet again at the end of August?
Fearless second-half prediction: The conservative approach the Red Sox took with Jon Lester throughout the first half will pay big dividends down the stretch. When the lefty finally is green-lighted to return to Fenway in one of the best feel-good stories of the season, he'll produce a solid stretch of starts that will give his team a much-needed surge.
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
***LET'S GO, RED SOX!!! LET'S GO!!!***
