Re: Do You Really Think They Can Win It All??


Louis Martel wrote:
> I want to preface this by stating that I've been a fan since 1948. I've
> lived through the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. So I'm not a virgin in the
> ups and downs of this organization nor have I ever jumped ship during
> the times of travail.
> I'm interested in finding out how many of you really believe this 05
> version can repeat?? My heart wants it but I just can't see it coming
> about. The starting pitching is so marginal and the pen is overall no
> better. Now some will say Schill will be back in the rotation soon
> and Foulke will return to form. I just can't fathom that, although I
> hope I'm wrong. The infield defense is at present mediocre to poor and
> that is not just a recent phenomena but season long. Hell Edgar is in
> some ways worse than Nomar was last season. You have to have pitching
> and defense to go along with the offense and that eventually was proven
> in 04. I hope in Oct you can slam my ass but right now I just can't see
> that coming about. What's your real gut feeling Nation??

Of course they can, you maloderous old reprobate! Despite the last two
losses the team has been coming around in many areas. The bullpen is
shaping up. That is despite their stupid decision to send Papelbon back
to the mainors to become a reliever. The only reason to send him back
would be to eep him in a regular starting rotation. You want him to
relieve? Put him in the BP and give him the ball at appropriate times.
That's all there is to it. Gonzalez is ripe for return to Pawtucket so
it is an easy decision. Of course Francona will ignore him in key spots
just as he has with Delcarmen despite his 0.00 ERA since his callup.

The only real weak area now is the RF platoon of Cruz and Kapler, but
maybe Cruz will remember that little round ball is meant to be struck
by the bat. Also, Millar isn't cutting it at first, but Petagine is not
one of Terry's boys and he has now made the unforgivable sin of going
0-4. I don't expect him to get a fair chance unless Millar gets hurt
and maybe not even if that.

The starting rotation could be stronger as you mention. Gosh, Schilling
wants to start again. Let him. If he does well they now have an ace. I
would have no problem with Papelbon in the rotation either. Zach Duke
of Pittsburgh is now 5-0 1.43 (or so) since being called up a little
over a month ago. The Red Sox (Francona in general) appear to be afraid
to go with young pitchers despite great minor league records. This is a
mistake.

Look around the league. The two best teams now are Chicago (as they
have been all year) and Oakland as they have been since a 17-32 start.
The Angels bats have gone silent and their rotation is no better than
Boston's. Everyone else is struggling more. It would be a shame if the
Red Sox fail to finish ahead of the Yankees.

.

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