Boston Red Sox Won't Make It Far in 2011 Without a Pitcher Turnaround

I know, there's still 157 games left in the season.

I'd be surprised if the Boston Red Sox didn't win the AL East this year, or, at the very least, make the playoffs by taking the AL Wild Card.

But what if they don't?

What if they aren't as good as everyone thought they would be?

In the game of baseball, anything can happen. That's part of what makes the game great for teams and their fans. The season is long, and when it's all said and done, teams that are supposed to be good will be good, and teams that are supposed to suck, suck.

So, it's definitely not out of the question for the Red Sox to become the Red Sux this season, and let the baseball world down.

Nobody could have predicted that this team—the one most people predicted to win the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies and their incredible starting rotation—would start the season in an embarrassing 0-5 hole.

Only two teams in baseball history have made the playoffs after starting the season with such a record.

They began the season being swept by Texas. Okay, that's understandable. Texas is a good team, and every good team will sweep another good team now and then.

But now, they've lost two straight against the Cleveland Indians, a team is not supposed to be any good this year.

Sure, any team can beat any other team on any given day. But even still, isn't that a bit worrisome?

Even more worrisome is that team 8.33 ERA and .190 batting average.

Again, it's only five games. Though, if I were a Red Sox fan, I'd be kind of worried. Flabbergasted, really. I'm flabbergasted right now, because on paper, this team should be one of the best we have seen in a while.

Just like the 2008 Detroit Tigers.

Remember them? They were supposed to win the World Series after adding the likes of slugger Miguel Cabrera and the funky delivery of Dontrelle Willis. They, too, had a stacked lineup.

Just sayin'.

To me, the pitching is what everyone should be worrying about. I was skeptical of it going into the season, with how mediocre John Lackey was after signing his huge deal last season, Daisuke Matsuzaka not having been dominant in a few years and Josh Beckett having a terrible year last year.

Beckett should be the one giving fans the biggest headache. He's gone 6-7 with a 5.77 ERA after signing his new $68 million contract extension back in April of 2010.

Even closer Johnathan Papelbon wasn't that great last year, and should provide plenty of stress for those member of Red Sox Nation early on in the year.

I thought that if those guys could bounce back, or at least two of them, then they'd be a pretty unstoppable team with how Jon Lester will lead his staff.

Now, I'm not so sure any of those guys will bounce back. It's still early, but it wouldn't surprise me.

We all know Kevin Youkilis won't finish the year with a .133 batting average. Dustin Pedroia will be a spark plug atop the order. Jacoby Ellsbury will be solid, Marco Scutaro will probably hit similarly to what he did last year and Adrian Gonzalez will be Adrian Gonzalez.

So the offense shouldn't be an issue.

Many, many teams have offensive woes to begin the season. It's just how baseball works. It may take a week or two for guys to find their hitting groove and their timing.

But if their pitching doesn't turn around, I'm not so sure this team will, either.

Pitching wins championships. Right now!, this starting staff couldn't take home the Double-A level championship.

It wouldn't surprise me if the Indians finished off their sweep this afternoon.