On the Eve of the Second Half

Well, the Boston Red Sox have clinched homefield advantage in the World Series, again. This is the fourth time they've done so, but for some reason they've only taken advantage of it and actually played in a World Series once.

With a ten game lead in the division, it's kinda hard to complain. However, there's still an uneasy feeling. I went down to Cape Cod the other day (the peninsula part of Massachusetts that sticks out into the Atlantic) and my friend pointed out the Sox were 10 games ahead of everyone when we were still in school. So more or less, they've pretty much sucked just like the rest of the AL East the past month and a half. I think they're 17-18 in their last 35 games, riding a 6 game road losing streak. So, their record is a bit deceiving, especially as of late.

The question is, what do you do as the trading deadline approaches? Especially now that Curt Schilling's hurt, the starting pitching is a big question mark. Beckett's been everything anyone could ever ask for, Diasuke's been a good number three man. But you need three studs in the playoffs. If Schilling's in there pitching like he's been capable of in the past, you're all set. But he isn't getting any younger.

The power numbers are way down too. Talk about the Pirates not having a 30 homerun hitter, The Red Sox don't have anyone on pace to hit 30 homers (Ortiz and Lowell are tied with 14, which doubled is 28...and the Sox have already played more than half of their games...). Manny and Ortiz are especially disappointing, having a combined 25 home runs so far. That's more or less what you expect each of them to produce individually. And this team plays more than half of its games at Fenway Park. That's suppose to be a home run hitter's dream. Do you try to get someone to make up for their lack of production?

The other big question mark is the Shortstop Position. Alex Cora has given the team everything he's got, but he's not an everyday player. Julio Lugo sucks. He's suppose to be the everyday shortstop for this team, and the lead off hitter. This first place team, this team with a 10 game lead in their division, with the best record in the Major Leagues as the All Star Break closes. His batting average is .197. Thankfully he's a scrawny 175 lbs, so at least he's hitting his weight. He's under contract for three more years, so they can't exactly just dump him. The other day I was fantasizing about trading for Nomar Garciapara, but the Dodgers aren't out of contention. But just imagine him coming back here, to a hero's welcome, hitting .300, making spectacular defensive plays (I know he's a first baseman now, but I'm sure he'd adjust soon enough), erasing forever the cruel hand fate delt him when the Sox won it all without him. He'd be the perfect fit. I'm fully confident with the wall and returning to Fenway he'd hit 10-15 homers. Plus, he's be a really good number 5 hitter to protect Manny, in his number 5 jersey the Red Sox conveniently have been saving for him since his departure in 2004 (hanging up with the 21 and 45 jerseys...). You'd have Drew hitting first, then Youk, Ortiz, Manny, Nomar, Lowell, Varitek, Pedroia, and Crisp. Then when Drew started sucking again, you could switch him and Crisp in the lineup. Stupid Dodgers, not being out of it. Gotta go and ruin everything. Whatever... Kenny Loftin is someone else I'd like to see wearing the red B on his hat. He could hit leadoff and play Center. Crisp and Drew could take turns in right, with Francona letting whoever wasn't sucking during a particular stretch play. But that's not as good of a fit cause then you still have Lugo doing his best National League Pitcher imitation (it's tremendous, you should see it) at the bottom of the order.

Turning to more realistic topics of discussion, the Toronto Blue Jays are coming to town, and I'm actually going to a game this series (first this year). I'll be at Fenway Park on Sunday, seeing Josh Beckett take on Jesse Litch, who I've never heard of. According to the scouting reports, he's more or less the Blue Jays' version of Kason Gabbard, coming up from AAA to pitch in place of injured starters. He's starting in place of A.J. Burnett, which is unfortunate as otherwise I could have seen two former Marlins pitch.

So you might be asking, after waiting till after the all star break to go to one game, when am I going back to Fenway for a second? The very next day, seeing the 1985 Champions of the World, the Kansas City Royals. The aforementioned Kason Gabbard gets the start for Boston against Defending AL Rookie of the Month Brian Bannister.