Sox-Yankees Rivalry Just What Red Sox Need
BOSTON (CBS) - In scanning the morning newspapers, I came across an interesting article by colleague Michael Silverman in the Boston Herald and I couldn't agree more with his theme.
The Red Sox could use a little Sox-Yanks rivalry.
The Sox continue to plod along at an inconsistent pace. Now 17-20, Boston is 5-games behind Tampa Bay in the AL East. There is no real reason to panic over this start, but there has to be a great deal of concern in the clubhouse and front office about what we're seeing.
We see a starting staff that looks like it's about to get on a good long roll, but then hits 2-3 bumps in that road. The same goes for the offense. Granted it looks much better of late, but you feel like the performances of players such as Jacoby Ellsbury (.340 BA, .353 OBP in May), Adrian Gonzalez (.329, 7 HR, 29 RBI, .378 OBP, .566 Slg %), and Carl Crawford (.356, .370 OBP, .467 Slg in May) are being wasted.
Read: Gonzalez Starting To Show Pop At The Plate
After their ridiculous 0-6 start, the Sox went 10-5 over the next 15 games to climb within a game at 10-11. At that point, we all thought the Sox were on their way to being the team we expected.
Ah, scratch that.
After they hit 10-11, they proceeded to lose 4 of 5, then win three in a row, lose three straight, then win three straight again, and finally lose two in a row in Toronto.
Can you say "roller coaster"?
So, now they hit New York for three this weekend. They've lined up their pitching with Buchholz, Beckett, and Lester. They are ready to get rolling. It's is time to sweep or take 2 of 3, and then start winning series after series. That is what this team has been good at since Theo and Tito took over. Winning a series. Take 2 of 3, 3 of 4, etc... That's how they'll make up ground and become the team they want to be.
Read: Jerry Remy Plans Monday Return To Booth
I know we've seemingly said it 1,000 times this season, but now it's time... time for this team to wake up and become a team.
And, there's no time to do it like a weekend in the Bronx.
