The Boston Red Sox finished a 3-game sweep of the Texas Rangers today and so I figured that today is as good a day as any to evaluate where the Red Sox stand as of today, Monday, April 21st.
The Good:
It looks like there won't be a sophomore slump for 2nd basemen Dustin Pedroia. The youngster from Arizona State continued his hot start today by driving in the tying run today when he pinch hit for Joe Thurston in the 8th inning.
So far, Pedroia has OPS'd .860 with 7 extra-base hits and solid defense at 2nd base. The perfect example of durability, Pedroia is also leading the team in at-bats with 78, and expect him to remain in the lead as Joe Thurston clearly doesn't belong as an capable fill-in.
Even better news for Red Sox fans is that the future looks bright all over the middle infield, especially now that the Sox have brought up shortstop Jed Lowrie from Pawtucket.
Called up for the game against Cleveland on April 15th, Lowrie responded with a 3-RBI night en route to a come from behind victory. For an encore performance he had multiple hit games twice since then, including this afternoon when he his second hit, a double down the right field line, plated Jacoby Ellsbury and sparked the rally.
Lowrie looks like your typical rookie, 0 walks, a lot of swings at bad pitches, but a lot of raw talent and potential as well. He will most likely not remain with the club for the coming weeks, but Sox fans should feel safe knowing that when we finally replace Julio Lugo, shortstop will be in good hands.
From a pitching standpoint, aside from the fact that Josh Beckett is returing to form, it seems as if the Red Sox have found a reliable group of relief-pitchers to use in close games. David Aardsma, Manny Delcarmen, and Hideki Okajima make a formidable group of pitchers before getting to Johnathan Papelbon.
Okajima hasn't allowed a run in 6.2 innings pitched this season, and Aardsma and Delcarmen have combined for 20.2 innings pitched, 5 earned runs allowed, and 18 strikeouts. Both also have sub-1.5 WHIPs.
This group needs to continue to pitch well so that the innings between the starters and Papelbon are smooth, a problem the Red Sox ran into quite a bit last year.
In other good, and brief news, Sean Casey appears to be a wonderful signing. Lowell has been hurt, and Casey has been forced into duty at first base and has performed admirably.
A heady and likeable veteran, Red Sox fans should feel comfortable with Casey at the plate because he rarely ever swings at bad pitches, and while his power output has vanished, he is still a serviceable back-up 1st baseman and DH.
The Bad:
Mike Lowell is still hurt. The team moved up the timetable for his return, but it will be awhile before Lowell will be able to return to 100%.
Call me a traitor, but I think the Red Sox re-signing Lowell was an awful idea. Theo Epstein had shown a remarkable gift for being able to jettison sentimental favorites once they have out-lived their usefulness.
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