Published July 7, 2011
If I had told you in March that the Sox would be half a game behind the Yankees just before the All-Star break, you probably would’ve been disappointed.
In April, if I’d said the same thing, you’d have been elated.
Point is, no one ever knows what to expect. So, 86 games into the 162-game season, just how are the Red Sox doing? Because manager Terry Franconca never seems to settle on a lineup, here’s a snapshot of the Sox’ season, in no particular order:
– Adrian Gonzalez is really good. If anyone not made out of solid gold is worth $154
million, it’s the hard-hitting first baseman. He turns major league pitchers into batting practice fodder. Just look at these stats.
– The jury is still out on Carl Crawford. The Sox’ other big time offseason acquisition, Crawford hasn’t quite won fans like Gonzalez. A slow start to the season made him look uncomfortable in Boston, and a recent injury has cooled off his rebound.
– The young are old and the old are young. Pups Clay Buccholz and Jed Lowrie have struggled with injuries that have derailed their seasons. Meanwhile, 31-year-old Josh Beckett and the ancient 44-year-old Tim Wakefield have made 30 look like the new 20.
– Big-money men John Lackey and J.D. Drew have been dreadful. With the amount of boos targeted at them, Lackey and Drew must feel as if they play every home game in New York.