Last night in Kansas City the Red Sox started an old, fat, enfeebled Tim Wakefield. With a win the Sox would move into a position whereby they would be just three games behind the AL East leading NY Yankees (in the all-important Loss column). Wakefield struggled with his control all night and was incapable of keeping anyone that reached base from stealing. He was relieved by Manny Delcarmen who has been on a steady decline with control problems and a ballooning ERA since the All-Star break. By the time Josh Bard entered the game it was already lost.
The only explanation I have read and heard that makes any sense is this: with a playoff spot well in hand via the Wild Card (although not certain) the Red Sox do not need to chase the Yankees for first place in the AL East and so are using guys like Wakefield and Delcarmen to take innings so that the top of the pitching rotation guys can be arranged for the strongest possible playoff run. This is abhorrent to me. I stop short of accusing the Red Sox of throwing the game, but it seems clear they are not doing everything they can to win. They have done the math and decided first place is a secondary goal to having the team positioned for maximum strength entering the playoffs.
There is no doubt that were there no Wild Card the Red Sox would be doing everything in their power to win every game and catch the Yankees. Count me as disgusted this morning, both at my team's behavior and the system that encourages it.
Steve
Note from KBJ: Now you know why I call them the Rat Sox, Steve.
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 