Still Lacking

Dice-K might have gotten Tommy Johned out of the rotation, but there's still another huge problem taking the mound every 5th day and that problem is John Lackey. He owns an ERA north of 7 and doesn't show any signs of improving. Unfortunately, pitching is a bit thin right now, with Beckett ailing and Buchholz's balky back. Andrew Miller is temporarily occupying Buch's spot and a wild and walky Aceves filled in for Beckett last night. Have the Red Sox come to a point where Kevin Millwood would be a better option in the rotation than Lackey? Millwood has improved since his first start in Pawtucket and in his most recent start he threw 7 innings of 1-run ball. At this point, he can't be much worse at the major-league level than Lackey, or can he?

As for the bats, injuries and illness have watered down the lineup of late. Crawford has a strained hammy, Lowrie has a bad shoulder, Scoots is kneeling before the porcelain throne, JD Drew looks ready to call it a career, and too many starting lineups lately have featured two sub-.200 hitters. Neither Cameron nor McDonald were cut out to be platoon players. McDonald did well last year because he was playing almost every day. Some guys take well to the platoon role and can hit for a decent average without consistent at-bats.

Crawford may not have been tearing it up before he hit the DL, but at least he is better protection than McDonald. Ditto Lowrie. Even Drew is better protection than a guy barely hitting over .100. Screw lefty-righty--with batting averages that low, you might as well have Drew and Reddick in there against lefty starters. Especially Reddick. If he's going to be part of the Red Sox' future, he needs to learn how to hit lefties well. He's showing improved plate discipline and deserves to be in the lineup against both righties and lefties. On Friday night, against LHP Paul Maholm, I better not see Cameron and McDonald in that lineup. It just ain't working, Tito!