AUGUST HEAT PUTS 2009 RED SOX BACK IN RACE

Right now the Red Sox have the spotlight around here, especially in this blog. Last week in this space, the team struggled and frustration ensued as a whole. The team got swept in Texas, but took 2 of 3 against the O's to end a 5 game losing streak.
The team had a golden opportunity to turn this thing around the past few days. A 4-game set with the AL West last place A's before taking on the last place O's in our division. The team aimed for 7 wins.
The Sox took the Fenway opener against the A's, but then things got sickening. The Sox lost the next 2 games to the dismay of everyone. The worst was the first loss, on Tuesday night, wherein Papelbon blew an 8-5 lead in the final frame. It could of been worse, had not the Sox come back in a Thursday matinee thanks to a Big Papi blast in the late innings. It comes to even more accomplishment, considering that right before first pitch, a report was released, linking Big Papi(and Manny) to the steroid list from 2003. It was not illegal then, but it still hurts his credibility no less. If it's true, it comes as no surprise. And I don't mean because his numbers have dipped the past 2 seasons, especially this one. There are way more than the 100 or so violators on the list. They all cheat, at least most of them. Some lie and deny it, like Clemens and Sosa. Some admit it, albeit a little late, such as Giambi and A-Rod. But it doesn't matter, in the only court that truly matters, the public of baseball diehards, probably half the league did take PED's in the past decade. It is what it is.
After the difficult day, the team was happy with the win to stop the floodgates and a total collapse of our Red Sox. But one win does not change things, as GM Epstein proved. The next day was the trading deadline, and although the Sox had a 1.5 game lead in the wildcard, they were suddenly 2.5 games out of the division, a hotly contested division between the Red Sox, pinstripes and Rays. The only team that made a significant move was our boys of summer. They rid themselves of inconsistent Lugo and Kotsay first. Then they traded the newly acquired LaRoche, despite that fact he hit a homer in his game and looked good in the few days he was here. They got the solid defensive and steady hitter Kotchman. But the big splash came with the acquisition of C/1B/DH Victor Martinez, an absolute slugger who was the Indians lone All-Star this season. He hits 35 and drives in well over a 100 runs. Simply put, he's a beast.
With Martinez on the club, the team quickly became the best team in the AL, much like the Phillies doing so via acquiring Cliff Lee. And with that, the team bashed Baltimore this weekend, sweeping them to the tune of 28-15, including a 23 hit attack today, which saw Martinez collect a whopping 5 hits!
The standings are below, and they are interesting. The Rays are in the mix, and with the White Sox taking 3-of-4 from the Yanks, we have a new race. The Red Sox will play both this week, including 2 in Tampa and then 4 in NY. The Red Sox are 8-0 vs. their rivals this season, so it should be fun if you're a Sox fan.
The team was happy to see the AL West over and done with for now. Our boys are currently a horrid 10-18 against the A's, Angels, Mariners and Rangers. They have some games left too, so hopefully they can figure things out fast.
In the meantime, the Sox current situation is this:

• They have 2 solid starters, Beckett and Lester. They have 2 very good, but currently on DL in Wake and Dice. They have a decent starter in Penny. Then there is the inconsistent Buchholz and the really poor Smoltz. The latter may be released if he does not pitch effective next week in NY.
• The bullpen is solid. Even though Papelbon is struggling at times and Masterson got shipped for Martinez, Bard has been amazing and overall the others have been good.
• This weekend, the poor staff in Baltimore may turn out to be the perfect antidote to the little offense since the break. Ellsbury, Pedroia and Youkilis were incredible, and in being so put their averages well above .300. Martinez had 6 hits in the first 2 games with us.
• The team is waiting to see if Lowrie can figure things out at the plate, but he's batting .125. Drew and Bay are injured, but could be back this week. The team called up Reddick from Portland, and he looked incredible this weekend. If not for the warning track, he would of hit 3 HR today instead of just one.
• The only glaring weakness is finding a 5th starter and maybe a SS, which hopefully the waiver trades will fix that. But if Lowrie finds his way and either Smoltz or Buchholz pitch week in NY next weekend, that is a mute point.

AL EAST STANDINGS

TEAM W/L GB

1. NEW YORK 63-42 -
2. BOSTON 62-42 .5
3. TAMPA 57-48 6
4. TORONTO 50-54 12.5
5. BALTIMORE 44-60 18.5