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The Tufts Daily
Where you read it first | Saturday, January 4, 2025

Inside the Red Sox | Weakness on mound, quiet bats send Red Sox home

In the end, the Chicago White Sox was just the better team.

The Boston Red Sox could not capitalize in key situations, and played themselves right into an early exit from the postseason. Chicago's pitching and defense were vastly superior to Boston's. Although the Red Sox had a better offense, it didn't show in this short series. Hitting tends to be more streaky than pitching, and the Sox never got their bats going (aside from Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz).

Game Two was the key game of the series. If Boston came out of Chicago with a split, then it stood a solid chance of coming away with the series. But the Sox literally let the game slip right between their legs. Boston held a 4-0 lead deep into the game, but second baseman Tony Graffanino's costly error opened the door to the big inning that gave Chicago the lead.

Despite his miscue, it's hard to blame Graffanino for Boston's demise. He was a big part of the reason why the Sox made the postseason. He came in and posted an .812 OPS during the second half of the season at a position that had been a black hole, thanks to the collapse of Mark Bellhorn.

After the Game Two debacle, Boston had little shot of turning around the series in Game Three. Its fate was sealed when it failed to score even one run in a bases loaded, no-out situation. That took the air right out of both the Red Sox and Fenway Park. The season was over.

In the end, it was Boston's weak rotation that really cost the Red Sox the series. No one expected Matt Clement to shut down the White Sox, but it was surprising to see him make one of the worst starts in the history of the postseason. The White Sox don't exactly have a murderer's row either, ranking ninth in the American League in runs scored coming into the playoffs.

David Wells came through with a solid start in Game Two, but Tim Wakefield allowed four runs in five-and-one-third innings in Game Three. Starting pitching is almost always a huge part of postseason success, and Boston just didn't have enough this season.

The bullpen problems that plagued the Red Sox during the regular season never really emerged during the series thanks to Jonathan Papelbon. Despite only having one plus-pitch, his 95 mph fastball, Papelbon bailed the Red Sox out of many tight situations and gave them a chance in Game Two and Game Three. Papelbon pitched four innings of scoreless relief, allowing just two hits and no walks. He has cemented himself as a big piece of the future, either in Boston's bullpen or in the rotation if he can stay healthy.

It should be an interesting off-season for Boston. Johnny Damon, Mike Timlin, Bill Mueller, Tony Graffanino and Kevin Millar are all free agents. Damon will be expensive to re-sign, and giving long-term deals to aging players who depend on their speed is always dangerous. Yet, there are very few centerfielders who can bring to the table what Damon does as a leadoff hitter.

Boston has some talented prospects it can move into some of the questionable spots. Third basemen Kevin Youkilis has done everything he possibly can to prove he deserves a starting spot. Dustin Pedroia, a 22-year-old second baseman in the Boston farm system, tore up AA this season. He was the first player Boston selected in the 2004 draft, and he could well be the starting second basemen for the Sox in 2006.

The Sox also have a few flamethrowers in their farm system. Sox fans saw a glimpse of Craig Hansen this September. Hansen was a first round pick in the 2005 draft and throws a 96 mph fastball and an 88 mph slider. The youngster is raw, but he could be dominant with a little bit of experience.

Manny Delcarmen also contributed to the Red Sox' cause in September. Delcarmen had a 3.00 ERA in nine innings and also flashed mid-90s heat. He needs to become more confident with his curveball if he is to get high-leverage innings next season.

Finally, 21-year-old Jonathan Lester has the potential to be the best of the bunch. Lester is a left-handed pitcher who dominated AA this season and was named Boston's Minor League Pitcher of the Year. He put up very similar numbers to Papelbon this season, but has the added benefit of being three years younger.

Despite the disappointing end to the 2005 season, Boston's stockpile of young talent should start to pay big dividends in 2006, making the Sox a contender for years to come.


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