Last night was a perfect example of "shoulda, coulda, woulda" for the Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox had a commanding lead, blew it, couldn't rally, blew it some more, and eventually lost to the Kansas City Royals.
The New York Yankees bowed to the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics, which means the Sox could have gained a game in the American League East and also lowered its magic number to clinch the Wild Card to six.
But that didn't happen.
Terry Francona opted to go to the struggling Manny Delcarmen to relieve starter Tim Wakefield and everything fell apart.
Why does Francona do this?
He did it with John Smoltz. It took eight starts and five losses later for him to realize that this wasn't going to work out.
He also did it with Brad Penny. But Penny's situation wasn't as tragic at the beginning, however by August 21, in a 20-11 loss to the Yankees where he lasted only four innings while giving up eight runs on 10 hits, that was the breaking point.
Francona latest, "I know he'll turn things around" pitcher is Delcarmen and coming at the worst possible time.
There's no question Delcarmen blew it, but another guy who hasn't been his lights-out self is Daniel Bard.
In his last three outings, Bard has given up 5 hits, 3 runs, and 2 walks in 2 2/3 innings and 2 strikeouts.
He took the loss Monday night, but also claimed the win against the Angels last Wednesday in which Bard gave up the typing run in the top of the ninth to send it to a bottom half.
Funny how things work out in baseball.
Tonight the Sox have to face Zack Greinke. Paul Byrd goes to the mound for Boston.
Not exactly what Red Sox fans want to see and tonight could become a make or break for the remainder of the series.Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/batterupbruno
Original Story:
http://batter-upwithbruno.blogspot.co...
The Red Sox had a commanding lead, blew it, couldn't rally, blew it some more, and eventually lost to the Kansas City Royals.
The New York Yankees bowed to the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics, which means the Sox could have gained a game in the American League East and also lowered its magic number to clinch the Wild Card to six.
But that didn't happen.
Terry Francona opted to go to the struggling Manny Delcarmen to relieve starter Tim Wakefield and everything fell apart.
Why does Francona do this?
He did it with John Smoltz. It took eight starts and five losses later for him to realize that this wasn't going to work out.
He also did it with Brad Penny. But Penny's situation wasn't as tragic at the beginning, however by August 21, in a 20-11 loss to the Yankees where he lasted only four innings while giving up eight runs on 10 hits, that was the breaking point.
Francona latest, "I know he'll turn things around" pitcher is Delcarmen and coming at the worst possible time.
There's no question Delcarmen blew it, but another guy who hasn't been his lights-out self is Daniel Bard.
In his last three outings, Bard has given up 5 hits, 3 runs, and 2 walks in 2 2/3 innings and 2 strikeouts.
He took the loss Monday night, but also claimed the win against the Angels last Wednesday in which Bard gave up the typing run in the top of the ninth to send it to a bottom half.
Funny how things work out in baseball.
Tonight the Sox have to face Zack Greinke. Paul Byrd goes to the mound for Boston.
Not exactly what Red Sox fans want to see and tonight could become a make or break for the remainder of the series.Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/batterupbruno
Original Story:
http://batter-upwithbruno.blogspot.co...
