Week in Review: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The Guru
Contributing Writer
The first place Boston Red Sox turned in another winning week going 4-3 to push their record to 42-29 as we inch closer to the halfway point of the season.
The Sox beat the Angels last Sunday, took two from the Rays, but finished up the week losing three of four to the Orioles. The Sox are now just 1 1/2 games up in the division.
It was an interesting week all around as Iggy stayed hot, Buchholz couldn’t go, Ciriaco got the boot, Nava made his case, and tempers flared at the Trop.
There is never a shortage of drama when it comes to the Olde Towne Team. Let’s take a look at the good, the bad and the ugly from the past week.
The Good: Jose Iglesias remains the Red Sox hottest hitter. He hit .467 for the week and has a 17 game hitting streak. The trade Drew rumors are more than whispers now. More like Kinison type screams.
Andrew Miller is proving his worth in the Red Sox bullpen. Miller has given up only eight runs in 30 games. He has struck out 30 of his last 50 outs. He also houses a small family from Ecuador in his beard.
Let’s throw some love Alfredo Aceves’ way. The Red Sox really needed a solid start and Ace provided it last Wednesday. Aceves went six inning with just four hits and one run. Aceves can be a little kwazy, but we are seeing why the Sox keep him around.
The Bad: Jon Lester is not right. After a great start to the season, Lester’s ERA in June is 8.44. He has not recorded a win in six-straight starts. For the Red Sox to succeed, they need a 2010 type of Lester not a 2012 type of Beckett.
Stephen Drew is hitting .219. He struck out 10 times in six games last week. IGLESIAS, IGLESIAS, IGLASIAS. That is all.
Andrew Bailey is the closer. Bailey gave up four runs in six games last week. Bailey should be called the cooler. If the Red Sox are players at the trade deadline, a name you might hear is one your familiar with: Jonathan Papelbon.
The Ugly: The Red Sox lost three of four to the Orioles. Baltimore has won 24 of its last 34 games against the Sox. The Sox are going nowhere if they can’t get around that stupid smiling bird.
Clay Buchholz’ latest injury has caused a lot of concern. Buchholz is clearly the Sox ace this year at 9-0 with a 1.71 ERA. The Red Sox success is directly related to the early strength at the top of the rotation. Now with Buch hurt and Lester struggling, there is a lot more pressure on Lackey and Dempster to succeed. Those words just made me queasy.
Beanball’s at The Trop led to some pushing and shoving between the Sox and Rays, but it was nothing like what occurred at Chavez Ravine in LA when the Dodgers and Diamondbacks squared off. UGLY.
Things don’t get any easier this week as the Red Sox get the Rays at Fenway Park for three games then travel to Detroit to face the Tigers.
Follow The Guru on Twitter @TheGuruGS
More musings from The Guru.
Contributing Writer
The first place Boston Red Sox turned in another winning week going 4-3 to push their record to 42-29 as we inch closer to the halfway point of the season.
The Sox beat the Angels last Sunday, took two from the Rays, but finished up the week losing three of four to the Orioles. The Sox are now just 1 1/2 games up in the division.
It was an interesting week all around as Iggy stayed hot, Buchholz couldn’t go, Ciriaco got the boot, Nava made his case, and tempers flared at the Trop.
There is never a shortage of drama when it comes to the Olde Towne Team. Let’s take a look at the good, the bad and the ugly from the past week.
The Good: Jose Iglesias remains the Red Sox hottest hitter. He hit .467 for the week and has a 17 game hitting streak. The trade Drew rumors are more than whispers now. More like Kinison type screams.
Andrew Miller is proving his worth in the Red Sox bullpen. Miller has given up only eight runs in 30 games. He has struck out 30 of his last 50 outs. He also houses a small family from Ecuador in his beard.
Let’s throw some love Alfredo Aceves’ way. The Red Sox really needed a solid start and Ace provided it last Wednesday. Aceves went six inning with just four hits and one run. Aceves can be a little kwazy, but we are seeing why the Sox keep him around.
The Bad: Jon Lester is not right. After a great start to the season, Lester’s ERA in June is 8.44. He has not recorded a win in six-straight starts. For the Red Sox to succeed, they need a 2010 type of Lester not a 2012 type of Beckett.
Stephen Drew is hitting .219. He struck out 10 times in six games last week. IGLESIAS, IGLESIAS, IGLASIAS. That is all.
Andrew Bailey is the closer. Bailey gave up four runs in six games last week. Bailey should be called the cooler. If the Red Sox are players at the trade deadline, a name you might hear is one your familiar with: Jonathan Papelbon.
The Ugly: The Red Sox lost three of four to the Orioles. Baltimore has won 24 of its last 34 games against the Sox. The Sox are going nowhere if they can’t get around that stupid smiling bird.
Clay Buchholz’ latest injury has caused a lot of concern. Buchholz is clearly the Sox ace this year at 9-0 with a 1.71 ERA. The Red Sox success is directly related to the early strength at the top of the rotation. Now with Buch hurt and Lester struggling, there is a lot more pressure on Lackey and Dempster to succeed. Those words just made me queasy.
Beanball’s at The Trop led to some pushing and shoving between the Sox and Rays, but it was nothing like what occurred at Chavez Ravine in LA when the Dodgers and Diamondbacks squared off. UGLY.
Things don’t get any easier this week as the Red Sox get the Rays at Fenway Park for three games then travel to Detroit to face the Tigers.
Follow The Guru on Twitter @TheGuruGS
More musings from The Guru.
