Massacre in Minnesota...

Well Sox fans, if you weren't aware of this teams shortcomings, you certainly are after this last series. Other than game 1 with Schill, Papelbon & Timlin, it's been ugly. This is a sub .500 Twins team that had been struggling. They couldn't hit Silva who came in with a 2-8 record and 7+ era. Ouch.

Is this a June swoon? Or is it something more this time? Don't look now, but here comes Atlanta who they struggle mightily against. And here comes Toronto charging into second (tied now) & maybe even first.

Unless things change in a hurry...

Starters

Schill - the staff anchor, having a good season

Wake - poor record but has pitched fairly well, no run support

Beckett - somewhat of a disappointment with lack of consistency

Clement - tired arm & latest whining episode is NOT GOOD, trip to DL coming?

Wells - will he ever pitch again? Effectively if he does?

Lester - youngster needs to come up big
Pauley/DiNardo/Alvarez - just filling the void...

Here's your slated starters upcoming:
Lester - Beckett - Schill - Clement/Pauley - Wake

What does Theo do? Boy, that Arroyo trade just looks worse and worse as time goes by...

Bullpen

Other than Papelbon, yikes. If Timlin stays healthy, he should be fine. Theo just traded Riske - their 3rd best reliever with a 3.72 era - for a 28 yr old lefty from AAA with minimal success in the bigs. Do you buy the "we had a number of righty's in front of Riske and really needed a lefty" line? Unless Riske is a serious injury risk, would you pull the trigger on this one?

This year's staff era combined: 4.84 Last year? 4.74

Offense

1B - Youkilis has been outstanding, #'s better than Millar/Olerud even at leadoff spot
2B - Loretta has been good, #'s way up over Belhorn
SS - Gonzalez is not paid to hit, big drop-off even from struggling Renteria
3B - Lowell has been outstanding, #'s way up over Mueller
C - Tek has been off in average only, #'s similar to last season
DH - Papi has been himself, just awesome
LF - Manny has not been Manny - RBI's 30+ short if multiply to 162 games
RF - Trot has been healthy & significantly more productive than last year
CF - Injuries, #'s slightly off Damon (10HR 75RBI)

Overall runs scored - on pace to score about 900. Last year? 910.

Current projected wins at 92 on current pace, vs 95 from last season...

What to do Theo? Pitching, pitching, pitching. Best out there is probably Zito & Schmidt. Only problem is that both of their teams will still be in the hunt come July 31st. Not much else out there.

All you can count on right now is Schill & Papelbon.

Beckett needs to turn things up. He has the stuff and the mentors to do it.

Clement needs to grow a set. Hopefully he's not done.

Lester must perform. He is the key right now.


All we know is that if things don't change quickly, this could be a long summer...