Red Sox Reach .500... Again

The Red Sox can't seem to pass the .500 mark. They're 0-5 the game after they reach .500.

The Rays finally took a series from the Sox. The Rays' pitchers quieted the Sox' bats. The Sox only scored 10 runs in their weekend series. And while Saltalamacchia won Saturday's game with a walk-off win, Alfredo Aceves returned the favor to Tampa Bay by blowing a save. His 3rd blown save of the season.

Jonathan Papelbon has yet to blow a save this season.

People have been praising the Red Sox bullpen. But such praise is merely selective memory. In the last 20 games, the bullpen has been decent. The 20 games before that, not so much. Looking at the guys that are out there, none of them are guys I'd classify as tough-situation-relievers. When the game is on the line, how confident are you when Padilla or Albers comes jogging in from the bullpen? Be honest.

The Sox scored some runs off Doug Fister yesterday, and that's not easy to do. They got 11 hits off him, including 3 doubles and a homerun. It was Saltalamacchia's ninth. He has 5 more homeruns than Adrian Gonzalez, in 69 fewer at-bats, and for $19.6 million less salary. He's been a nice and surprising offensive contributor.

The Sox got another very respectable start from Doubront. Prince Felix went 6, allowing 2 runs off 4 hits and a walk. He struck out 6. He's 5-2 on the season, which means he's the winningest pitcher in the rotation. He's the only Sox starter with an ERA under 4. Again, a nice and surprising contributor.

I enjoy rooting for the Felix Doubronts and Jarrod Saltalamacchias on this team. They try. They care. They're playing to the maximum of their potential. And they're the reason this team is .500 and within shouting distance of a playoff spot.

As I said at the start of this post, the Sox are 0-5 when they've had a chance to be over .500. Technically, I suppose it's 0-6 since they lost their first game (when they were 0-0). I'm not overly optimistic that they'll improve on that mark, as Verlander is on the mound for Detroit. Bard is pitching for the Sox.

-The Captain

Papelbon Explains Why He Left Red Sox

"No, I don't [think so]," Papelbon said of whether the Sox properly valued his durability. "I feel like I have [been one of the most durable closers in the game]. ... I feel like I've been durable just as much as anybody else out there. I know myself better than anybody. I know myself better than any trainer in Boston, [who] tried to tell me that they knew me better. That goes with experience, knowing yourself, trusting yourself and listening to what you have to listen to and not listening to things you know aren't going to make you stay durable.

"The previous trainer tried to tell me that he knew everything about me. It's just not the case. I know myself. I knew how to get through a 162-game season. A trainer doesn't know how to do that. The trainers here have been phenomenal. They understand that I'm going to be successful because I know how to be successful. I still did things my way when I was there in Boston, I just had somebody chirping in my ear the whole time. … You stay in your own lane, you'll be fine. I'll stay in my lane, I know what I need to do, I'll be fine."

"A huge light bulb went off in my head," Papelbon said of his feeling when Francona's fate was determined. "I wouldn't say that was it, but it was about 99.9 percent [sure of not returning]. Yeah, I was shocked (WEEI)."

This interview was hard to listen to because he kept talking in the 3rd person referring to himself as "Cinco". After getting through all of that there were some interesting nuggets. First, his hatred for the training staff, which I think we can all agree on. They have given trouble to Dice-K fooling around with how he prepares, they messed everything with Ellsbury and could be a big reason why he walks out the door in a couple years, Lackey pitching when he needed Tommy John, and the list goes on and on.

I think most players backed Francona and we all knew that, but if they wanted to save his job they certainly had enough opportunities.

Yet, even though I can agree with some of the stuff he says the bottom line is that the Phillies paid him a lot more than the Red Sox were willing to. Papelbon had stated for years that he wanted top dollar. If the Red Sox offered a bigger deal he would be here, that's the bottom line and no one should lose site of that. Papelbon is 10 for 10 in save chances, and he certainly could've helped the Sox this year, but I was fine with letting up walk, and to think Papelbon left for any reason but money is foolish.

Red Sox Making April Seem Like September

Vicente Padilla had the second best pitching performance for the Sox in Detroit. Need I say more?

No. But I will anyway.

A pair of horrible starts from Beckett and Buchholz, combined with inconsistent hitting, and one unbelievably shitty bullpen resulted in a Detroit Tigers sweep. Just like in September, the Sox are finding different ways to lose.

Alfredo Aceves gave up the winning hit in Thursday's loss. Yesterday he blew a 3 run lead. Mark Melancon also blew a save yesterday, and now he's 0-2. It's April 9th and the Sox have a reliever that's 0-2. That's sadly impressive.

One bright spot was Padilla's 4 scoreless innings. He might earn a chance to be in the rotation if he keeps up that good work.

I'm hearing some clamoring for Daniel Bard to be installed as closer. Maybe that will eventually happen, but right now the Sox need starting pitching. Because while the bullpen ultimately blew yesterday's game, a good start from Buchholz would have allowed the Sox to cruise to a blowout victory. Bullpens lose games. Starting pitchers win them.

And you know who should be the closer...

Jonathan Papelbon.

People in Boston were far too complacent and docile when the Sox didn't re-sign the best closer they've had in a long time. Everyone who wants Bard to close should also get angry at the Sox for not retaining Papelbon.

The Sox go up to Toronto to face the 2-1 Jays. Doubront faces 21 year old Henderson Alvarez.

-The Captain