Roche: Pitching, Pitching, and Pitching
BOSTON (CBS) - It's pretty simple as to what has sent the Red Sox into a mini-funk here in mid-August that has seen them drop 4 of their last 5 games: pitching.
And to be more precise, starting pitching.
Take a look at the opposing starter's line score from the past five games:
Sat 8/13 (6-5 loss @Sea) IP H R ER BB K
Felix Hernandez_______7 9 4 4 2 2
Sun 8/14 (5-3 loss @Sea) IP H R ER BB K
Charlie Furbush________7 4 1 1 2 6
Tues 8/16(3-1 win G1 vs TB) IP H R ER BB K
James Shields_____________8 3 3 3 1 6
Jon Lester________________7 3 1 1 1 8.....as he matches Shields
Tues 8/16(6-2 loss G2 vs TB) IP H R ER BB K
Jeff Niemann_____________9 3 2 2 1 10
Wed 8/17(4-0 loss vs TB) IP H R ER BB K
David Price______________8 3 0 0 3 6
Now, those are some very good names in that group and Tampa Bay had a rain out vs. the Yankees that allowed manager Joe Maddon to re-arrange his starting staff to line-up that was against the Red Sox.
Meanwhile, the Sox are also a little banged up as David Ortiz (heel--out), Kevin Youkilis (back), Adrian Gonzalez (neck), and Marco Scutaro (back) are all nursing injuries. It also goes to show you how valuable David Ortiz is to this line-up. We saw it during inter-league play and we're seeing it again.
Finally, the Sox should fare better in Kansas City though as they face RHP Luke Hochevar(8-9, 4.89 ERA), LHP Jeff Francis(4-13, 4.76), RHP Felipe Paulino(1-4, 3.45), and LHP Danny Duffy(3-6, 4.97).
The Sox better fare well in KC, because after that it's on to Texas for 4 important games with the Rangers.
Enjoy the ride.....
Follow WBZ-TV's Dan Roche on twitter @RochieWBZ
