Filed under: Boston Red Sox
Man I feel like I was playing Go-Fish and got what I wanted from the pile after denied by my opponents. Guess I get to go again. Hmm. Well tonight I would like a dancing knuckler and no passed balls. How does that sound?
Last night was exactly what the Red Sox were looking for. Schilling pitched 6 full innings allowing only one run while the Sox’ bats exploded for 9 runs including a 7 run third inning. The blowout allowed Manager Terry Francona to rest set-up man Mike Timlin as well as new found closer Jonathan Papelbon, both of whom have been playing well in their extensive playing time. Rudy Seanez pitched a shut-out 7th inning allowing only one hit and fanning two. Julian Tavarez then struck out two as well in the eighth, allowing Keith Foulke to see some 9th inning work for the first time since the very beginning of the season.
The Red Sox’ bats have been solid, but it truly has been our pitching that has propelled us to out best start since 2003, supporting the old come new adage that pitching and defense win championships. So far we have had a superb, almost dominant, showing in both categories. For the most part, our starters have given us 6 or 7 strong innings each outing, including Schilling and Beckett who have both been lights out and ace material. This has led to Timlin doing his job in the eighth(provided no one is on base) and Papelbon living up to his hype by becoming a not only reliable, but overpowering closer.
The defense behind each pitcher has done its share as well. Before Coco was injured he showed flashes of a brilliant centerfielder of the future. Filling in, Adam Stern has also made some exceptional plays, robbing opposing batters of hits and saving some to boot. With the exception of Wily Mo Pena, the outfield has shown it can play some solid, if not flamboyant, D.
The infield has lived up to the off-season hype as well. Gonzalez has been exceptional, Lowell and Loretta have been stellar, and Youklis has surprised a lot of people by proving that not only can he play first base, but he can play it well. In only fifteen games, we have been able to see what a difference good defense makes. With the defense we have this year, in our 162 games season, it has the potential to make the difference.
With 147 games left in the season, all fans do needed to be reminded not to get ahead of ourselves though. As difficult as that may be to do when you have the best record in the majors so far. Like AA has taught us, lets just take it one day at a time. I hope this day will bring Wake to .500 and another notch in the W category.
theaveragefan@bostonprosports.com
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