If you were a fan of the Boston Red Sox on Monday, your emotions were put on the roller coaster ride from hell. You went from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs back to the lows and finally finished up on a high note.
And by ending on a high note, i’m guessing you’re a little less stressed out right now.
The Red Sox got some bad pitching from Kyle Weiland and were also the victims of an awful call in the game one 6-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Then we had to endure yet another craptastic start from John Lackey in game two. Fortunately for Lackey and the Red Sox, the offense decided they’d had enough with his terrible pitching and put up 18 runs in the 18-9 win.
With the Tampa Bay Rays off on Monday, the Red Sox didn’t gain any ground on them nor did they lose any with the split. So the lead over the Rays remains at two games with eight games to go. And with the New York Yankees winning on Monday, the Red Sox ended up losing a total of a half game so they are five back there.
The Yankees and Rays both have ten games left with seven against each other. Obviously, you want the Red Sox to win the division but that would mean they’d have to win and hope the Rays win. But if the Red Sox lose, then you want the Rays to lose. But right now the only thing that matters is the Red Sox make the playoffs.
Speaking of playoffs, the odds are that after his start, Weiland won’t be part of the postseason starting rotation. I think he might make the bullpen because he’s been getting off to fast starts. It’s usually the second time through the lineup that’s been getting him lately.
Besides Josh Beckett and Jon Lester, there’s no clear cut third starter yet.
Lackey don’t deserve to be there with his 6.49 ERA. Erik Bedard will make his first start in a few weeks since being sidelined with a lat pull and knee issues.
This whole situation isn’t a good thing as we know pitching rules in October. And right now we don’t have it after Beckett and Lester. And the offense that scored 18 runs in the second game was doing it against Orioles pitching, which isn’t up to the caliber of the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers. Those would be the teams the Red Sox would face in the ALDS should they get there (I think they make it by the way. I’m not one of the negative nancies).
But for the now, the business at hand is winning games. Let’s hope that continues tonight against the Orioles.
We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups, news and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links by click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
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Video: Jacoby Ellsbury Hits Inside The Park Home Run [SOX & Dawgs]
Framework got them settled [Boston Globe]
Aceves’s work is drawing raves [Boston Globe]
Fans stay confident in crisis [Boston Globe]
Crawford sits with a stiff neck [Boston Globe]
His pitchers decision: They shouldn’t win MVP award [Boston Globe]
Hitting back [Boston Globe]
Split decision [Boston Herald]
Randolph all-too familiar with September swoons [Boston Herald]
Home run, but no trot [Boston Herald]
Papi: Aceves deserves starting nod [Boston Herald]
Sox flush with reality [Boston Herald]
Sox use big bats to beat O’s, 18-9 [CSN New England]
Sox happy to earn much needed win [CSN New England]
The Long Walk: Iglesias journey from Cuba to the Sox [CSN New England]
Notes: Lackey has no answers for struggles [CSN New England]
Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 18, Orioles 9 [ESPN Boston]
BBTN: Sox aren’t panicking [ESPN Boston]
Closing Time: Red Sox fight back with a rout of Orioles [Full Count]
Jacoby Ellsbury electrifies, Conor Jackson amplifies and Red Sox offense explodes [Full Count]
Despite Red Sox win, Lackey at a loss [Full Count]
Video: Jerry Remy Flies Into Another Language During Opening of NESN’s Red Sox-Orioles Telecast [NESN.com]
Red Sox Offense Comes Up Huge in Nightcap, Rescues Club From Another Pitching Disaster [NESN.com]
Jacoby Ellsbury, Conor Jackson Team Up to Make Red Sox History [NESN.com]
Terry Francona Insists on Giving Praise to Scott Atchison After Clutch Relief Performance [NESN.com]
Barrage in nightcap salvages split [Providence Journal]
Ortiz: Why not start Aceves? [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Crawford’s absence felt [Providence Journal]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Baltimore Sun website. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, the Oriole Post.
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
