Where's the Answer?

Ew.

Here it is. 7 games left in the season and the Red Sox are only 2 games up on the Tampa Bay Rays for that final spot for the MLB postseason. With 1 win and 2 losses to a terrible Baltimore Orioles in this current 4 game series in Fenway Park, things certainly do not look pretty.

There is really only one thing to talk about that is causing this problem, pitching. Starting with John "Dumb as a Rock" Lackey. My goodness is he bad. Finishing his second year in a 5-year $80somethingstupid million contract, he has managed to post a major-league worst 6.49 ERA and is now the worst pitcher in Red Sox franchise history when it comes to an ERA (minimum 150 pitches of course)... but he has 12 wins? Anyways I can't bare to watch him throw in the postseason. Something clearly is not right with him (injury?) or he is really just that bad. Hard to imagine when he was an ace for the Angels just a few years ago in the World Series and a Cy Young candidate as well. My real issue with this guy is his attitude. Sure show some emotion it's all good bro, but when Scuttero doesn't make a play or a ball lands between two outfields don't shit your pants. When you give up 8 runs in 5 innings to the Orioles that's on you dude. Also when your manager comes to pull you out of the game don't stare him down; that's Terry fuckin Francona.

On a positive note for the pitching staff, Clay Buckholtz is on schedule and I actually think he's throwing off a mound today. If he continues this pace, he is scheduled to pitch out of the bullpen for the Sox on their last game of the series in Baltimore. If successful and the Red Sox manage to squeak into the playoffs, he will be a valuable asset for the relief squad. But with Paplebon not coming through in the clutch like he should and other relievers having ERAs close to 5 and above, it's hard to find someone to rely on when the game is on the line. Where's Pedro when I need him god damnit.

The offense looks like they're out of their slump at least. They do have the third best run support in the league so by that stat they should be competing for the best record in the bigs; except their pitching rotation decided to break down and die in the first half of the season so we are scrapping together wins. I have faith in Terry to figure out a master plan and get this team in fighting condition for October.