Finn: Predictions for the second half
Three predictions for the Red Sox’ second half — or one for each game they will finish ahead of the eventual American League East runners-up, the feisty Toronto Blue Jays. (What, you expected someone else?):
Dice-K will emerge as Josh Beckett’s co-ace: Let’s cut to the chase — anyone who considers Daisuke Matsuzaka’s first half-season in the big leagues to be a disappointment either spends too much time listening to the WEEI banshees or has expectations that border on the irrational. Dice-K is third in the American League in strikeouts (123), fourth in K’s per nine innings (9.25), and tied for fourth in victories (10). And he’s accomplished all of this while adjusting to a new league, a new city and a new culture. So, he’s not the Next Pedro; what he’s accomplished is immensely impressive nonetheless. Considering he had a 1.29 ERA in his six starts prior to last Sunday’s hiccup against the Tigers, it’s reasonable to suggest there are wonderful things on the immediate horizon. That $103 million? What a bargain.
Clay Buchholz will be a factor: In 2005, Jonathan Papelbon made 14 starts at Double-A Portland (87 innings, 2.48 ERA), moved up to Pawtucket for seven more appearances (four starts, 27.1 innings, 2.93 ERA), and by the end of the season was Boston’s most effective pitcher in the American League Division Series against the White Sox. Given the way the organization has handled him, I can’t help but believe that the 22-year-old Buchholz, who went 7-2 with a 1.77 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 86.2 innings at Portland before his promotion to Pawtucket Wednesday, is on the exact same track.
Theo Epstein will swing a trade that isn’t on the radar right now: For much of the first half, it seemed like the Sox’ primary need was a right-handed setup man to complement Hideki Okajima. But, with Manny Delcarmen lighting up the radar guns and exuding a newfound confidence, perhaps Theo has shuffled his priorities atop his To-Do List. Item 1: Find a quality starting pitcher in case Curt Schilling’s shoulder is out of bullets. Item 2: Find a big-bopper for the middle of the order as insurance/support for Manny and Papi.
I won’t pretend to know who the starting pitcher will be, given that anyone with a healthy limb tends to get an eight-figure contract these days. But I can’t shake the sense that Mark Teixeira and/or Adam Dunn are extremely appealing to the Sox braintrust, nor can I shake the sense that Mike Lowell could be had and Jon Lester isn’t as untouchable as he once was. Yeah, something big is going to happen. I can’t wait to find out what.
Chad Finn is the founder of Touching All The Bases (touchingallthebases.blogspot.com), a blog that takes a passionate but irreverent look at Boston sports. A sports copy editor at the Boston Globe, he also writes a weekly baseball column for FOXSports.com.
