Day off blues

Still, lots to blog about.  Beltre has landed 2 important players on the DL this year.  I know he has had a good season at the plate, but hard for me to justify his presence with Mikey Lowell on the bench.  Tito has got to find a way to get him more regular AB's.  Simple as that.

Dice-K's injury seems a bit mysterious to me.  I hope it is not a sign for a more serious problem.  Strained forearms bring back memories of Clemens before his '85 offseason shoulder surgery and a promising young RHP named John Dopson.  I hope that it is not serious.

The 'Sox farm system now seems chocked full of position players as opposed lots of pitching prospects.  For a list of 'Sox prospects Click here. 

I love Wake.  He gives the 'Sox innings.  Having watched him pitch for 'Sox since '95, the one thing that seems consistent:  he is prone to that one bad inning despite keeping the opposing hitters off balance for the majority of the game.  If he has a 4-5 run lead, you can breathe somewhat easy but not too easy.

Okajima has sure fallen from his automatic "hold" form of 2007.  He never had much velocity but a deceptive move.  Perhaps MLB hitters have figured him out?

Big Papi seems to have cooled off a bit.  May not be a bad time to sit him for a while and give Mikey Lowell some DH time.  Youk could use some days off if nothing else to recover from the dings of racking up HBPs.  He plays hard and gets lots of chin music standing right on top of the plate. 

Still like McDonald.  I know that he is on the bubble for when Hermida and Ells return. 

Pap still concerns me.  He is not the same dominant closer as in 2007.  Not sure if it is a physical or mental thing.  Does he ever throw a breaking ball to get the hitters thinking curveball?  I think he needs an offspeed pitch --- a change-up?  Schill taught him the splitter.