Red Sox Midterm Report
Preseason uncertainties ironed out with strong first half
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
BOSTON -- They began the year with an entirely new infield. They had an ace coming off ineffectiveness and injuries. They entrusted the closer's role to someone who hadn't done that job since college. How was it all going to come together for these 2006 Boston Red Sox, a team that had undergone considerable transformation since the epic World Series championship of two years ago?
The first-half returns have been good in every conceivable way. The Red Sox have mixed the game's three main ingredients -- pitching, hitting and defense -- with uncanny balance.
Of course, no contender is complete without pitching. The Red Sox have had it at the front of the rotation, with Curt Schilling regaining his status as one of the best pitchers in the game. And they've had it at the back of the bullpen, where Jonathan Papelbon has been an elite closer as a rookie.
The hitting hasn't been as spectacular as in years past, but David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez are still the most powerful No. 3-4 combo in the game. The lineup has been well-rounded, with Kevin Youkilis, Mike Lowell, Mark Loretta and Trot Nixon all making solid contributions.
And the Sox have made their mark with their gloves, setting a record by closing June with 17 straight errorless games.
Club MVP: Papelbon has given the Red Sox an edge in the late innings that few teams can relate to. When he comes into a game, it is virtually over. He converted his first 20 save opportunities and allowed just two runs in his first 37 appearances. The mere presence of Papelbon has shortened the game for the Red Sox.
Call him 'Ace': As late as Spring Training, Schilling admitted that he didn't know if he could reestablish his dominance. But then he pitched a gem against the Rangers on Opening Day and has seemingly never looked back. The Red Sox went 14-3 in Schilling's first 17 starts. Though he's lost some velocity, Schilling has compensated with his savvy, knowing full well how to exploit the weaknesses of opposing hitters.
Greatest strength: The defense. Boston pitchers have been able to go to the mound with no worries on their minds, knowing that all of the plays will be made behind them. Shortstop Alex Gonzalez has been ridiculously good, making just one error before July. The rest of the infield has also been stellar. Lowell is proving why he won a National League Gold Glove Award last season. Loretta has been steady and smart. Youkilis has stepped up in a big way in his first year as an everyday first baseman.
Biggest problem: If the Red Sox have a weakness, it is the overall depth of the bullpen. This was supposed to be a strength, considering the 1-2 punch of Papelbon and Mike Timlin. But Julian Tavarez and Rudy Seanez, who were supposed to be vital additions over the winter, have been inconsistent. The Red Sox are being forced to rely more on the young, talented arms of Craig Hansen and Manny Delcarmen. Just how quickly those two pitchers develop could determine whether the Red Sox have a bullpen good enough to go deep into October.
Biggest surprise: The offense of Youkilis. Billed as an on-base machine in the Minor Leagues, Youkilis has carried that up to the highest level, serving as one of the most productive leadoff men in baseball. Sure, Youkilis can draw a walk with the best of them, but he can also hammer the ball into the gap or over the wall.
Complete coverage > Team needs: The Red Sox could use another starting pitcher, and you can be sure that general manager Theo Epstein will hunt for one leading up to the July 31 trade deadline. Matt Clement, an All-Star last year, has fallen on hard times in '06. He finished the first half on the disabled list, and the Red Sox aren't exactly sure what to expect from him the rest of the way. Boston could also use another setup man to take the load off Timlin.
Oh, doctor: Will 227-game winner David Wells throw another Major League pitch? That is very much in doubt, as Wells was belted on his surgically repaired right knee by a Travis Lee line drive on May 26. Wells has already stated that he will retire at the end of the season and, at least as the first half came to a close, nobody seemed very optimistic about his chances of making an impact down the stretch.
He said it: "I think the biggest thing is, we've just been showing up every day. We've caught the ball very consistently. We've caught some breaks, we've taken advantage of those breaks, we've made some breaks. I think we've just been consistently giving ourselves a chance to win every night. Then you have special nights like David [Ortiz] hitting walk-offs." -- Red Sox manager Terry Francona
Mark your calendar: The Yankees invade Fenway Park for a five-game series on Aug. 18, starting it off with a day-night doubleheader. Then the Sox go to Yankee Stadium for four more from Sept. 15-17, including another doubleheader. Don't discount the games that remain with the Blue Jays, either. Those could be just as big. The Sox go to Toronto for four games Sept. 22-25.
Fearless second-half prediction: Ramirez will have a monster second half, carrying the Red Sox to the point that he'll walk away with the first Most Valuable Player Award of his career.
