Good Pitching Beats Good Hitting, Right?
At least that’s the theory, and one needs to look no further than recent Yankee teams for proof.
- 2004 Yankees: Batting: 2nd | Pitching: 6th
- 2005 Yankees: Batting: 2nd | Pitching: 9th
- 2006 Yankees: Batting: 1st | Pitching: 7th
The 2007 Yankees carry on the tradition of phenomenal hitting and mediocre pitching ranking 1st on offense and 7th pitching. The Red Sox on the other hand rank first in the American League in pitching while coming in at number 3 on offense.
If the theory holds Red Sox fans have a division title to look forward to. If only it were that simple.
As anyone who has watched the 2007 version of the Red Sox on a consistent basis can attest, Boston’s offense can be frustratingly ineffective. Yes, they’re ranked third. But unlike past seasons this is an offense that can be shut down, sometimes by good pitching, and sometimes by very mediocre pitching. It’s an offense that seems incapable of grinding out runs in late innings of close games.
David Ortiz, while still having a great season, has been and will continue to be hampered by injuries, robbing him of much of his power. Manny Ramirez almost certainly seems to be on the downside of his career, still capable of good numbers but unable to dominate on a consistent basis. And J.D. Drew has been a complete bust as a number 5 hitter.
I still have confidence in the Red Sox. They’re a better team, a more balanced team than the Yankees. But if New York can get a little more consistency from their starting pitching, if their bullpen continues to show improvement, or if Red Sox pitching falters, if Schilling never fully rebounds, if Beckett misses two weeks because of another blister, the race could get interesting quickly.
You Can’t Change Your Stripes
Don Zimmer’s daughter and granddaughter are once again rooting for the Red Sox now that Zimmer isn’t coaching for the Yankees.
“They had to be Yankee fans because I was a coach,” Zimmer said, “but when I left they became Red Sox fans.”
I’ve never understood how any passionate fan can truly change the team they live and die for. Pretend, maybe. Change your stripes, no.
Still, welcome back.
