Off-Day

Today is the most dreaded day of all for true baseball fans. The worst Wednesday known to mankind... the day after the All-Star game, and not a single major league game will be played.

On this awful Wednesday, I have an off-day of my own, with no work. And, personally, I am not feeling the greatest, so having today to rest is probably a good thing. But, I'm going to take this extra time to recap on my thoughts of the first half of the season and what I expect for the second half.

The Red Sox, despite a multitude of injuries, went into the All-Star Break with a 51-37 record. We are 5 games back from the first place Yankees and 3 games back from the Rays who are holding the Wild Card spot. I'm not really worried about what Theo has up his sleeve for the trade deadline. What I am concerned for is getting my boys off the DL and back onto the field. With Dustin Pedroia, Clay Buchholz, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Varitek, Victor Martinez, Josh Beckett, Jeremy Hermida, Manny Delcarmen and Mike Lowell sitting on the DL, our starting line-up is really starting to hurt. I mean, no offense to Darnell McDonald, Daniel Nava, Bill Hall, etc. because they have done a great job contributing to our success this year, but it's depressing when I see our line-up and I barely recognize any of the guys playing. Although, I am getting to know them a little too well for my liking.

We have tons of positives from the first half of the season which gives me hope for the second half. But, we have some pen issues that we need to get straightened out.

I'm not sure if it's just me, but I am really starting to love Daniel Bard (1.90 ERA). I mean, he is the ultimate set-up guy and I think will be a huge contributor to our bullpen in the future. Buchholz (currently on the DL, 10-4, 2.45 ERA) and Jon Lester (11-3, 2.78 ERA) have proven their roles as starting pitchers and, in my opinion, will be our two best starters as we enter the second half of the season. However, Daisuke Matsuzaka (6-3, 4.56 ERA), John Lackey (9-5, 4.78 ERA) and Tim Wakefield (3-7, 5.22 ERA) have been more or less disasters and I'm not really sure what to think about them. I guess, as Forest Gump would say, they are "like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get." Also, our lack of bullpen is really hurting us. Hideki Okajima (6.00 ERA) and Ramon Ramirez (4.79 ERA) aren't really two guys we can depend on in times of need. And our closer, Jonathan Papelbon (3.50 ERA), even with 20 saves on the season, is not as dominant as we need him to be.

David Ortiz, Big Papi, "Jose" Ortiz, or 2010 Home-Run Derby Champ, has had a complete turnaround from the beginning of the season and is really helping our offense with 17 HRs and 54 RBIs on the season. But, can I PLEASE talk about should-have-been All-Star, Kevin Youkilis, who was completely snubbed of that title. With a .297 batting average, 55 RBIs and 17 HRs, and the fact that he's one of the few that has stayed healthy this season (despite the brief ankle injury), is an absolute, defined bad-ass. Adrian Beltre (.341 AVG), regardless of the defensive errors, has greatly added to the teams offensive success and Marco Scutaro (.285 AVG) is also playing well. I can't wait for my main boy, Pedey, to come back and start this "Laser Show" again. Those pinstripes and Rays really need to watch their backs, cause we're going to come back stronger than ever!

I have complete faith in our boys to get healthy and start playing again. I think that we will continue to win games and as long as we can get through this tough start to the second half of the season, we will be fine. I believe that we have stayed contenders in this race, even through these difficult times, and have a great chance to win that pennant, no matter what everyone else might think.

**I have to let you all know, on August 27th me and my daddy will be heading to Tampa Bay for a father/daughter baseball weekend to watch the Red Sox at Tropicana Field. We have booked our flight, hotel and most importantly purchased our tickets for the 3-game series. On Friday and Sunday games, we will be sitting by the visiting dugout and on Saturday, we will be near the visiting bullpen. I had absolutely everything to do with those seating arrangements. There is no doubt that I will be the only girl my age that is headed to the beach for a weekend and not spend any time on the actual beach. We will be at the Trop as soon as the gates open for BP and I will stay till the last out is made, if not longer! No worries, there will be a blog post for that trip along with tons of pictures! ---Best Dad Award goes to, MIKE DOLL---

I will always be behind my boys, no matter the circumstances. I also completely believe that Red Sox Nation is the greatest fan base of all time, in any sport, and with our faith, hope and love for our team, we will get it done! :)

Go Red Sox!!
Jenn