Clinch First, Rest Later

Did I miss something? Did the Sox clinch a playoff berth while I was sleeping last night? If not, why was the bottom third of the lineup of this afternoon's game comprised of Baldelli, Lowrie, and Brian Anderson, with no Bay or Drew in sight? The Yankees have already wrapped up a spot in the post-season, yet they were putting their full-strength lineup on the field. There's a week left in the season, Red Sox management. Are you trying to clinch by default, by having Texas lose three? Not cool! Not cool at all! Suppose the Rangers go on an improbable hot streak, a la Colorado in '07? The Tortoise and the Hare ring a bell? Don't let the Sox be the hare that takes a nap while the tortoise catches up and wins the race. Isn't it better to clinch the Wild Card now so you can rest the players next week? Dice-K pitched a helluva game, going 7 innings and giving up only 1 run. He deserved more run support than what he got (zero, zilch, nada!).

The bullpen is really worrying me lately. I can't remember the last time they didn't give up a run. Wagner gives up 2 today, allowing the Yanks to win 3-0. Ramirez, Delcarmen, and Bard are human run dispensers. Oki's hurt. Saito's been okay for the most part and Pap has been getting it done when he has the chance, but five out of seven questionable relievers going into the playoffs (should they make them) puts a lot of pressure on those starters and on the offense to keep scoring runs later in the game to offset the runs being given up by the 'pen.

Also, if the Sox are to make the playoffs, they have to have a better plan in place for managing the running game. The Yankees are not usually a running team, but they know that the Sox run a loose ship when it comes to defending against stolen bases. The Angels are all about the running game. We know neither Tek nor V-Mart can throw quickly and accurately to second (or third) base, so the pitchers need to find a way to either get the ball to the plate quicker or cut out the middle man (the catcher) and pick slippery baserunners off themselves. Whenever I see that statistic about the Red Sox and stolen bases shown on TV broadcasts like the one of today's game, I cringe. It's like, if a Sox pitcher isn't perfect, he has to manage a track meet on the basepaths.

Well, that's enough ranting for today. Come on, Sox, win a few more games, if only for pride's sake. Isn't the goal to win at least 95 a year? Don't take the upcoming homestand for granted. They may be weaker teams, but those types of teams love to play spoiler. Remember Kansas City?

LET'S GO RED SOX!!!!! THE SEASON ISN'T OVER YET!!!!