Tim Wakefield hands the ball over to Tito after a poor outing. (AP Photo)
I know what you're thinking, "Did he really just write 'luck' in reference the Red Sox? Has Derek been watching ANY games this year?!? Is he now asking, and writing questions to himself in the third person?!? Who died and made him Lebron. Should we be concerned?"
The short answer's probably, D) All of the above, but I'll just focus on the Red Sox for now. When not distracted by the Celtics playoff-run and the World Cup this season, I've thoroughly enjoyed watching the Sox this year - and it's primarily been because of the "replacement" players on the team. Watching the likes of Daniel Nava, Darnell McDonald, and Bill Hall exceed expectation has been a joy, however - the DL plague that has infested the Red Sox is starting to catch up to them. The Sox still lead the league in runs with 483 - but our lack of impact players in our line-up is bound to catch up with us. Call it the law of averages.
Just like David Ortiz wasn't going to go homerless all season long with his slow start in April, so should be expected with the Replacement Sox exceeding their expectations. It's bound to slow-up, and as the first half winded down with the flurry of losing Pedroia, Martinez, and V-Tek - the Red Sox seemed to finally become exposed. The Sox are 4-6 in their last 10 games, and last night while playing the first place Rangers we had a starting line-up that featured Daniel Nava, Eric Patterson, Bill Hall, and Kevin Cash. No disrespect to any of those players mentioned, but there's no way that's a playoff contending line-up.
Hearing John Henry say things like, “We have to survive July and all these road games coming up,’’ doesn't exactly evoke good feelings from the fans perspective, but it is the truth at least. It's borderline comical the rate players have been going down, and if we can survive the Zombie Apocalypse that has invaded Fenway who knows. We had 11 players on the DL at the start of last nights game, and if I had to bet money I'd say Adrian Beltre's on the way there soon as well. Players who are supposed to be on our active roster are all over the East Coast playing at all levels of ball, and the overall sentiment is one of doubt with the Sox - it's a lot of bad luck, and I don't blame anyone in-particular, maybe it's just one of those years?
I fear that the Apex of the Sox season may have been when the Sox were a 1/2 a game our of first a little before the All-Star Break. I obviously hope I'm wrong, but at the rate things are going you or I may eventually crack our way into the line-up via a new NESN Reality show, "Wanna Play OF for the Red Sox".
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