Red Sox - 7/23/02
July 23, 2002
THE SOX AT A GLANCE
57-39 Last 10: 4-6
2nd Place - AL East; 4 games behind
2nd Place - AL Wild Card; 0.5 games behind
The Sox limped home after a brutal weekend which saw them drop 2 of 3 to New York. The Red Sox won the first game 4-2 behind a dominant effort from Pedro Martinez. They then proceeded to lose the next two games 9-8. The way the losses occured were heartbreaking in both games. Even more alarming was the way they played against their lesser opponents. They dropped 3 of 4 to Toronto and split two games against Detroit. They took care of Tampa Bay, but doesn't everyone?
LATEST TEAM NEWS
The need for a hitter is becoming a thing of the past. Over their last 14 games, the Sox have scored 79 runs. That's good for an average runs per game of 5.6. They have only won 6 of those 14 games. Maybe there should be more emphasis on aquiring a pitcher?
After sluggish ticket sales initially, the Ted Williams Tribute went off well on Monday. It's nice to see the Boston fans come out in support of his memory despite all that is going on with his family. The fans of Boston should be proud and they showed once again why they are the best sports fans in the country.
ROTATION
Pedro Martinez turned back the clock on Friday night in New York, showing the super-human form he has been struggling to find most of this year. He outdueled Mike Mussina after having to wait through a long rain delay. Not even Mother Nature could stop the Sox ace, as he went 7.1 innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits, and striking out 9. He also threw 114 pitches, showing that manager Grady Little knew what he was doing by conserving Pedro early on until a game of this magnitude arose. In four July starts, Pedro has a 3-0 record, 1.03 ERA, 39 strikeouts, and a 0.95 WHIP. Historically, this is the time of year when Pedro starts to wear down. It seems he's trying to buck that trend, wouldn't you say?
After seeing his ERA in the high 1.00's and low 2.00's for most of the season, Derek Lowe is hitting a rough patch. His July ERA is 3.92 in 3 starts. His season mark is now up to 2.45, but he hasn't pitched all that poorly. His 1.02 WHIP this month is evidence of that. Some may say he is not used to the rigors of starting this late into the season, but he's averaging 6.9 innings over his last five starts. It's just a case of some bad luck mixed with lack of offense and the fact he's merely mortal. He will be fine.
The wheels are starting to come off of the John Burkett bandwagon. He has been fortunate in some regards, going 2-0 over his last five starts. His 1.56 WHIP and 4.50 ERA over that period show he is getting more than a little help. He had a season high 8 strikeouts last time out vs. New York, but he also gave up a season high 6 earned runs in 5.0 innings. That game offers a good look at the enigmatic hurler.
Perhaps the best outing for Frank Castillo this season was his last one. Strangely, it was a relief appearance in which he silenced the Yankees' bats over 2 innings. He's 5-10 so far this year, but he has been the recipient of some bad luck. His numbers aren't the greatest, but he gives the Sox a chance to win most of the time.
Rolando Arrojo returned from the DL to take on the #5 slot in the rotation. Despite getting pounded his last start vs. the Yankees, Arrojo has pitched effectively. If you subtract his two poor outings against LA and New York, Arrojo is 1-0 in 5 starts with a 1.20 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and an average of 6 innings pitched. He has the ability to toss some gems and should remain in the Sox rotation for the rest of the year.
BULLPEN
The month of July has not been kind to closer Ugueth Urbina. He's sporting a 7.20 ERA and has blown 2 of 5 save attempts. Because the Red Sox should continue to be one of the better teams in the AL, he will continue to get save chances. There are no plans to replace him as closer.
Utility pitcher Tim Wakefield continues to do it all. He will start the first game of a doubleheader Tuesday against Tampa Bay. As a starter this year, Wakefield is 1-1 with a 2.65 ERA in 3 starts. He also holds a 0.82 WHIP with 15 strikeouts in 17 innings. If he gets a few more starts, you may want to consider adding him to your fantasy team.
Dustin Hermanson finally rejoined the team. He will be pitching out of the bullpen, but given time to work on his stamina, he may be in the rotation if the Sox really need him. His first appearance back was one to remember, as New York tagged him for 2 runs and 3 hits in one inning of work. He should settle down and could be huge out of the bullpen.
INFIELD
Behind the dish, catcher Jason Varitek seems to be getting hot. Since the All-Star break, Tek is hitting .364 with a .930 OPS. His average is now up to .280 on the season. He finally looks like the hitter he was before the elbow injury that ended his season last year.
The three-headed, unproductive monster at first base is doing little to distinguish itself and avoid trade talks. Brian Daubach, who has grabbed the lion's share of the PT here, seems to be getting warm. He's hitting .359 since the All-Star break and has a .880 OPS. He hasn't hit a homer, but if he continues to hit like this, they will come soon and in bunches. It seems like Dauber is about to enter one of his hot streaks. If he's available, you may want to grab him now. He will also qualify in the OF in most leagues. Tony Clark probably had one of his best days in a Sox uniform Sunday. He blasted a timely 3 run homer to give the team a 6-5 lead in New York. Otherwise, he was spectacular with the glove. He's still not hitting well enough to grab a larger role in this platoon. Jose Offerman made a bonehead steal attempt in Sunday's game, which will likey reduce his stolen base attempts for the rest of the year. He is nowhere near the defensive equal to Clark, but he gets the bat on the ball a bit more often.
The Red Sox appreciated the return of second baseman Rey Sanchez. He is more important for his great glove work, but he's also hitting .297 since being activated from the disabled list. He won't be a large producer on offense, but if you're in a deep AL only league, he could help.
Nomar Garciaparra holds the distinction of leading all shortstops in errors with 16. Not that he'll get yanked from the lineup for that. Maybe it's affecting him at the plate, as he's hitting just .222 since the All-Star break. He has 2 homers with 7 RBI and a paltry .689 OPS. He hit those 2 homers last game in New York, so maybe he's coming out of the slump he's been in. Running into Jeff Weaver at Yankee Stadium will likely help you like that.
Proving he belonged at the All-Star Game, third baseman Shea Hillenbrand continues to hit the ball well. Since the break, he's hitting .370 with a .831 OPS. He has had a power shortage, but he has drawn 2 walks. Because he's getting on base, he also has 9 runs scored. I don't know how he does it, but he just won't let up.
OUTFIELD
The Red Sox are finally seeing the pre-injury Manny Ramirez. Since the break, he's been killing the ball. His average is .302 with an OPS of 1.144. he has 5 dingers and 9 ribbies. If the rest of the team can get hot, the offense will resemble what they were before Manny's injury.
Center fielder Johnny Damon is mired in a deep slump. It has recently come to light that he's been playing through a knee injury. He will get a few extra days off here and there. Damon plays through injuries, which helps his team, but also hurts his production. He's at .139 after the break with a miniscule .473 OPS. Until his knee injury clears, he may not be stealing as many bases.
Trot Nixon had a weekend he'd rather forget. His fielding gaffe was largely responsible for Sunday's loss. Before the All-Star break, Trot had his average up to .271, but he's since tailed off again. He's hitting .186 but he also has 3 homers and 12 RBI since the break. He could snap out of his funk, but it's too soon to tell.
Reserve outfielder Rickey Henderson's playing time has tailed off recently. That's partly due to Brian Daubach getting a lot of the spare outfield time. Rickey is 2 for 9 with a homer since the break. He should see steady playing time, especially if Daubach gets moved in a trade.
RUMOR MILL
With Chuck Finley to St. Louis and Jim Thome in love with Cleveland, the Sox are starting to look elsewhere for potential help. They have inquired about Florida's Derek Lee and Kevin Millar. Lee would step right in as the starting first baseman, while Millar would be a part-time DH/1B. As if the Sox don't have enough of those. For some reason, the Fish are much more eager to deal the malcontent Lee than Millar. There has also been fleeting rumors about Ray Durham, Ellis Burks, Paul Byrd, and the ever popular Scott Rolen. The only two that make sense are Byrd and Burks. A Rolen deal could make sense if they move Hillenbrand or they stick one of them at first base.
ON THE FARM
Freddie Sanchez - 2B: Pawtucket Red Sox (AAA)
Sanchez should warrant a late-season call-up with his play this season. Before being promoted to AAA, he was having a fine year at AA Trenton. He was second in the Eastern League in batting with a .328 mark. He is also among the league leaders in stolen bases with 19, runs scored with 60, and doubles with 23. He also plays good defense and should be in the Hub next season for good.
PROBABLE STARTERS
stats are vs. probable opponent
7/23 vs. Tampa Bay Game 1 - Tim Wakefield
1-0; 0.00 ERA; 2 APP; 1 SV; 6.0 IP; 6 K's; 0.33 WHIP; .053 Opp AVG.
7/23 vs. Tampa Bay Game 2 - Derek Lowe
2-0; 1.50 ERA; 3 GS; 1 CG; 24.0 IP; 15 K's; 0.42 WHIP; .103 Opp AVG.
7/24 vs. Tampa Bay - Frank Castillo
1-0; 2.25 ERA; 2 GS; 12.0 IP; 8 K's; 0.83 WHIP; .150 Opp AVG.
7/25 vs. Tampa Bay - Pedro Martinez
Has not pitched vs. Tampa Bay this season
7/26 vs. Baltimore - Rolando Arrojo
0-0; 2.35 ERA; 3 APP; 7.2 IP; 2 K's; 1.04 WHIP; .231 Opp AVG.
7/27 vs. Baltimore - John Burkett
Has not pitched vs. Baltimore this season
