Law and Order

Like a scene from the beloved long-running television drama, I feel like I'm looking through a one-way window at the Boston Red Sox. Indeed, I fear the word "lineup" has taken on a conotation with a decidedly more law enforcement feel at this point. "Mr Francona, take a look at these men and tell me if you recognize anyone."

Exhibit A: The Red Sox lineup, circa April 2008
CF - Jacoby Ellsbury
2B - Dustin Pedroia
DH - David Ortiz
LF - Manny Ramirez
3B - Mike Lowell
RF - JD Drew
1B - Kevin Youkilis
C - Jason Varitek
SS - Julio Lugo

Exhibit B: The Red Sox lineup, Friday night
CF - Jacoby Ellsbury
3B - Jed Lowrie
DH - David Ortiz
2B - Dustin Pedroia
RF - Mark Kotsay
LF - Jason Bay
1B - Jeff Bailey
SS - Alex Cora
C - Kevin Cash

This is one of the most bizarre baseball seasons I can remember in my lifetime. The Red Sox have been hit with a rash of injuries, plucked dudes daily from the waiver wire and received key contributions from about 50 players who were in the minors within a year or so ago, and would still be in the playoffs if they began today. In fact, analyze that Friday lineup a little closer and you'll find: 1) Six of the nine players were not in the Red Sox opening day lineup, and four of them weren't on the opening day roster; 2) A second baseman who looks to be 5-3 and weigh 160 pounds is batting cleanup; 3) Three of the players were not on the team at the All-Star break and one of them wasn't on the team three days ago; 4) Four of the players saw significant time in the minors either this season or last season.

And yet that's the starting lineup for your Wild Card-leading Boston Red Sox. I find that remarkably interesting.

Other random thoughts:
1) Part of my brain says I should give up on the Sox catching the Rays because it can't be done at this point. But that's the logical side of my brain (some would argue calling it a "side" may be overstating things). The Red Sox side of my brain says we are only 5.5 back and we have six games left with Tampa. Stranger things have happened. Of course, for the Red Sox to move into first place would require the Rays to lose a baseball game once in awhile, which doesn't appear to happen anymore. Ever. So, there's that.

2) I call it The Great Joe Torre debate. Is he overrated or not? Once again, allow me to enter some information into evidence. On the one hand, you have the Dodgers. If Torre is so magical, why hasn't he turned them into instant contenders. They weren't far away to begin with, and they've added some serious talent lately (Manny, Casey Blake, etc). And yet they recently suffered an eight-game losing streak. On the other hand, you have the Yankees. They haven't missed the playoffs in a gazillion seasons, but the year after Torre leaves they look to be facing a third-place finish in their own division. So is he overrated or not? To quote my lovely and talented wife, perhaps we need a little more time and information.

3) The Sox took two of the three from the Yanks and two of three from the ChiSox. If they keep that pace up, there's no way they miss the playoffs. They probably won't catch Tampa at that rate, but there's no way the Twins play better than .660 baseball down the stretch. This is me crossing my fingers.

4) Ken Griffey, Jr. was batting seventh for the White Sox this weekend. How many 600 home run dudes batted seventh? I'm guessing no more than 5-3, 160 dudes batted cleanup.

5) I like Mark Kotsay. Is there any way that JD Drew can be the player to be named later in the deal that brought him here? Wait, we already gave the Braves someone? And it wasn't Julio Lugo?

6) Josh Beckett's X-ray came back clean. I am now going to step down from the Tobin Bridge.

7) Today is September 1. Let the playoff fever begin.