The Yanks are now only 5 GB of the Red Sox for 1st in the AL East. As a Sox fan, I am beginning to feel a little concerned. But is it time to panic and watch a, as one Yankee fan yelled today, "collapse, collapse, collapse"? Here are the reasons why and why not you should panic as a Red Sox fan.
WHY PANIC: The Sox had a ridiculous 14.5 game lead in May, a 12 game lead 2 days before the all-star break, a 10 game lead at the all-star break, and a 9 game lead last week! The Yanks have picked up a total of 9.5 games since May and have picked up 4 games in a week. The Yanks have the best record in baseball since June and since the all-star break. They have been red hot and they can't stop hitting as their offensive outburst has been ridiculous. Based on the numbers, the Yanks are the best offensive team in baseball. The Yanks have also pitched well and have gotten back rookie phenom Phil Hughes. There seems to be a lot less problems in the clubhouse and the Yanks seem unbeatable lately.
The Red Sox meanwhile have struggled throughout the summer months at times. The Sox played under 500 for about a month from late May to late June. The major reason for this is they have struggled to score runs. Ortiz and Manny have had disappointing numbers, as they are in danger of even driving in 100 runs! Big Papi is only on pace for 98 RBI! Lowell and YOOK have quieted down and Lugo and Drew have turned out to be flat out terrible signings. The Sox pitching has been a little inconsistent, especially from Tim Wakefield and no one still knows what exactly to expect from Jon Lester down the stretch. The Sox have really struggled in one-run games, no matter what the score is and no matter who they face. The Sox still have 6 games left against the Yankees, including a 3-game set late August in New York. The Yanks have all the momentum, and the Sox have none. It may be time to panic.
WHY NOT TO PANIC: Ask yourself this question sox fans. If you were told at the beginning of the season that come August 8, you would have a 5 game lead in the AL East, how would you feel about that? You'd be thrilled. A 5 game lead is still very solid and actually being the team that everyones chasing, rather than chasing someone is a great feeling. The bottomline is their still in first place. Also, the Sox still have the BEST RECORD IN BASEBALL!!!! They have a 1.5 game lead on the Angels for that title. The Sox have heated up of late, winning 12 of 17 before losing 2 straight to LAA. They also took 2/3 from a good Seattle team on the road. With the addition of Eric Gagne, the Sox have put together an unbelievably good bullpen that is probably the best in all of baseball. Manny D, Okajima, Gagne, Papelbon is pretty damn good. Not to mention, the Sox also have Julian Tavarez as their long reliever, whom is better than most long relievers out there and veteran Mike Timlin. Curt Schilling is back and if healthy he becomes part of an excellent threesome at the head of the Sox rotation. Josh Beckett and Dice-K have had excellent seasons and this threesome is not matched by many teams throughout the league. And unlike many teams, the Sox do not need to get innings from their starters, because of their great depth in their bullpen. Despite their lack of scoring runs of late, they still have the most feared 3-4 in all of baseball in Big Papi and Manny. Ortiz is due for some walk-off/clutch hits and you have to expect both to get hot in the last few months. Pedroia and YOOK provide a solid 1-2 at the top of the lineup as well. The Sox defense is also still pretty solid. They have the 2nd best defensive team in the majors, including Coco Crisp, who has been amazing in CF. The Sox schedule will get a little bit easier over the next few weeks. They still have 12 more meetings against the awful Devil Rays. They are already 5-1 against TB and should be able to rack up many more easy wins against them.
Despite the Yankees ridiculously amazing play over the last few weeks, who have they played??? They have played all mediocre teams. They've beaten up on the likes of TB, BAL, KC, TOR (who is 500) and CHI (White Sox). It is still impressive that they've played so well, but they haven't played any team that is anywhere near elite in the American League. How will the Yanks play once they start facing the likes of the Angels, Indians, Tigers, and Red Sox again. Who knows? We'll have to wait and see. I can guarantee you that they'll at least have some trouble in some of the games. It definetely wont be this easy for the Yankees down the stretch. They can't stay this hot forever. Their offense will eventually cool down. Their offense was so awful for a period of 2.5 months or so and now its been the best in baseball. It's gotta come back down to earth a little bit. The Yanks rotation and bullpen still has some questions and is not as good as the Sox. What happens in September when that over-worked bullpen has to pitch in huge games? The Yanks will have to slow down soon and the Sox may be able to take advantage.
Thus, every Sox fan has to be concerned a little bit. It's the Sox and their endanger of blowing a huge lead to the damn Yanks. And every Sox fan knows that they've blown it in the past. But, I'm not sure it's time to go into a full panic just yet. The Sox are still overall a better team and they still have the 5-game edge. It's in their destiny to hold on to this lead. Maybe a closer pennant race will be better for the Sox and give them extra momentum heading into October. Remember, the Tigers collapsed last year and they still won the AL Pennant. The Sox should be able to still hold on to the lead and still should be able to go far in the playoffs. As frustrated as I am of late, I still believe the Sox will come out on top and I still have some small hope that maybe just maybe a miracle will occur and the Yanks wont make the playoffs.
Here's what others throughout Red Sox Nation are saying:
"Yes folks, it is time to start worrying just a little bit. The Yanks are getting too close for my liking."-Ian from Sox & Dawgs
"One word: FRUSTRATION."-Texas Gal from Center Field
"Am I starting to worry now you ask...Can I plead the fifth here? Of course I'm starting to get worried....." (More)- Sawxblog
"The Red Sox are not doing what they need to do...and yet the Yankees are. I am glad Barry hit his homer last night...it took the focus off what is becoming a little bit of a collapse in the AL East!"-Michael from The BoSox Buzz.
"I knew the Yankees would be in it," Wakefield said. "There was no way they were that kind of club earlier in the year. ... We've only been playing like .500 ball the last month and a half. We need to pick it up."-Hartford Courant
