Red Sox Road Ahead: Week 18

Posted by Patrick Pho in Featured Articles, Red Sox on August 3rd, 2010 | one response

When I take an All-Star break, I really take an all-star break.

All the way past the Trade Deadline.

What did I miss? Well more injuries for one. Lots of injuries. In fact I’m back just in time to see Kevin Youkilis get sidelined with another torn muscle in his right thumb. The DL continues to eat up players from the roster like Albert Haynesworth at a CiCi’s Pizza buffet.

The trade deadline would of been a good chance to stock up on some 2nd half help, but the only acquired player of note is Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who isn’t even in the majors right now.

A real quick breakdown of Salty, the catching prospect that is finally with Boston after a season or two of trade rumors: since making his debut in 2007 he hasn’t developed the power potential that many have seen in him. At the same time he hasn’t been given the playing time as well.With V-Mart back, Saltalamacchia is nothing more than a prospect who’s window is closing.

So at 60-45, 6.5 games behind in the AL East and in the AL Wild Card, it looks like a lackluster season for the Sox. However with a weekend series against New York, can they make a move to keep some playoff hopes alive?

Schedule

Red Sox games are available over the radio on the WEEI Red Sox Radio Network and on NESN in the New England TV market (unless noted.)

Wednesday, August 4 vs Indians 7:10 PM

Thursday, August 5 vs Indians 7:10 PM

Friday, August 6 @ Yankees 7:05 PM

Saturday, August 7 @ Yankees 4:10 PM (on Fox)

Sunday, August 8 @ Yankees 8:00 PM (on ESPN)

Cleveland TV: STO

New York Yankees TV: YES

Opponents In-Depth

Cleveland Indians
45-61
Tied for 4th in AL Central (15 GB)

Probable Line-Up

Trevor Crowe, CF
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
Shin-Soo Choo, RF
Shelley Duncan, LF
Jordan Brown, DH
Matt LaPorta, 1B
Lou Marson, C
Jayson Nix, 3B
Jason Donald, 2B

Injuries

Travis Hafner, DH (Shoulder) 15-day DL. Out until at least late August

Carlos Santana, C (Knee) 15-day DL. Out until at least late August

Aaron Laffey, RP (Arm) 15-day DL. Out until at least late August

Mitch Talbot, SP (Back) 15-day DL. Out until at least late August

Anthony Reyes, RP (Elbow) 60-day DL. On Double-A rehab assignment

Grady Sizemore, CF (Knee) 60-day DL. Out for the season

Pitching Match-Ups

8/4: Lester vs. Masterson

Masterson faces off against his former team once again- still not afraid.

8/5: Matsuzaka vs. Westbrook

Jake Westbrook was the best the Indians could get? Yikes. However Westbrook is just good enough to give Dice-K a run for his money when he implodes and walks eight batters.

Who’s Hot

Shin-Soo Choo: .333 BA past 14 days

Who’s Not

Jordan Brown: .125 BA past 14 days

New York Yankees
66-40
1st in AL East

Probable Line-Up

Derek Jeter, SS
Nick Swisher, RF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Lance Berkman, DH
Curtis Granderson, CF
Jorge Posada, C
Brett Gardner, LF

Injuries

Alfredo Aceves, RP (Back) 15-day DL. Out until at least early August

Nick Johnson, 1B (Wrist) 60-day DL. Might be out for the season

Damaso Marte, RP (Shoulder) 15-day DL. Out until at least early August

Andy Pettitte, SP (Groin) 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-August

Pitching Match-Ups

8/6: Bucchholz vs. Vazquez

Advantage Boston as long as Vazquez continues his lackluster performance.

8/7: Lackey vs. Sabathia

No way Lackey could keep up with CC. Lackey couldn’t even keep up with his own no-hitter.

8/8: Beckett vs. Burnett

Beckett’s looked good since he’s come back from the DL- this will be his biggest test this season.

Who’s Hot

Nick Swisher: .302 BA/6 HR past 14 days

Who’s Not

Lance Berkman: .182 BA past 14 days

My Outlook

Well with the Cleveland series already halfway done, I’m going to instead look at the Yankees series and hope we can go into the final game on Monday with two out of three. However that is wishful thinking and highly dependent on the pitching.

But hey we can dream can’t we?

How do you think the Sox are going to fare this week? Leave them in the comments or let Patrick know on Twitter: @dmbosstone

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