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The Red Sox got good starting pitching and some good performances out of the bullpen to pull back into the lead of the A.L. East. Some thoughts on the game:
With the Sox recent situation, there has been a flurry of roster moves. Most recently, since the new that David Ortiz was placed on the disabled list retroactive to June 1, the Sox called up Chris Carter from Pawtucket. Carter was acquired as the player-to-be-named-later in the trade that sent Wily Mo Pena to the Nationals. Carter has been a dominant minor league hitter, compiling a career .311 minor league batting average to go along with 405 RBIs in 545 career games in the farm systems of Arizona and a handful of games this year and last. He is definitely a run producer with good power, and his strikeout numbers are not terrible with 289 Ks in 2,090 at-bats for an average of a little less than 1 in 7 (Ortiz, for the record, has a career strikeout-per-at-bats ratio of a little over 1 in 5). He has certainly impressed both minor league organizations that he has been with, especially because his defense is very suspect. But as Terry Francona said, the Sox envisioned that he would eventually hit his way onto the roster somehow. Carter seems to be destined for a designated hitter’s role as his primary position in the years to come, but as this is only his fourth full season in professional ball, he still has time to hone his skills. The reason why the Sox called up Carter and not, for example, Brandon Moss, is because Carter is at a critical stage in his career. His talent is known throughout the minors and scouts have noticed his production. If Carter can come in and make an impact and impress other major league clubs, he would definitely be trade bait when the deadline comes. The Sox also didn’t call up Moss, who they prize much more than Carter and would be much, much less likely to deal as they brought him up in their organization, because they want him to keep getting regular at-bats. Moss is very clearly Manny Ramirez’s replacement and, before that happens, the number four outfielder after the Sox part ways with Coco Crisp.
I know it may be premature, but I am completely sold on the Tampa Bay Rays. They have all of the right ingredients to be a very good team. There is no dominant team in either league right now, and there will likely be very few, if any, teams that finish with a winning percentage above .600. For the first time, the Rays’ young pitchers have done enough of the right thing so that they can finally put together quality starts. Both Edwin Jackson and Matt Garza had decent starts against the Sox in Fenway (probably the toughest place for any road team to play in baseball) and both were victimized by single poor innings. Of the Rays current five starting pitchers (Garza and Jackson with Scott Kazmir, James Shields, and Andy Sonnanstine), the Rays starters have a combined 3.68 ERA. The Sox starters combine for a 4.01 ERA. The bane of the Rays since their inception has been their inability to find pitchers to put together good outings. Couple their pitching with excellent young offensive players, the Rays have a group of perennial All-Stars for years to come. With no dominant team, there is no reason why the Rays can’t make a push at the postseason.
Look for this recap as the Sox go for the sweep of the Rays and their 13th straight home win.
Keep the Faith.
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