Red Sox are finally telling the truth about the 2021 team
The Boston Red Sox took a half-season before they started down the path to just what type of team they were. The team was a remarkable 55-36 (.604) at that juncture that splits the season. Few except the most jingoistic of die-hard loyalists expected such excellent results.
There was once a game show called To Tell The Truth. The context of the show was two impostors were supposed to lie. At the same time, a legitimate contestant would tell the truth based on a resume of his or her’s unique occupation presented to four celebrity panelists. We now are faced with the truth about the 2021 Red Sox.
Before the season started, the roster was one of the question marks. If you were a collector of question marks, you had a barrel full. The pitching, both rotation and bullpen, team speed, team defense, and the lineup production. They never disappeared, but with the winning percentage, the team was undoubtedly compensating. Now the ugly truth has surfaced.
The one issue that I have noted for several months is the most challenging to define. A general morass, intensity, and as some have stated: A mail it in attitude. Manager Alex Cora is not immune to a critique, and times have surfaced most recently where maybe a complete Earl Weaver approach is needed with umpires and his charges. This team has not been an energized one this September. Are beer and chicken being dispensed once again?
The recent series in Baltimore showed a team that was about as inspiring as mowing the lawn. That came on the heels of the Yankees treating the pitching staff like an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet for a Great White. And at home to make the pain an actual migraine.
The era of pre-Joe Hardy’s Washington was noted as first in war, first in peace, and last in the American League. Boston now wanders or is it slithers into Washington to face the Nationals. They have changed leagues but are still sequestered in last place after Miami Marlin’s proportions yard sale.
Boston has to sweep the table of all three games. The M’s out Seattle way are now tied with the fading Red Sox. Toronto will do to Baltimore what the Red Sox should have done. And the Yankees have Tampa, who may go through the motions preparing for the playoffs.
Based on the current languishing of the team, a sweep is wishful thinking. A sweep will just assure that they are at least in the playoffs no matter what happens elsewhere. Frankly, getting in is a pure backdoor. This team is making the remains of Tutankhamun appear as energetic as the Radio City Music Hall chorus line.
If the Red Sox are fortunate enough to have all the round pegs fit into the square holes and get into the playoffs, they won’t go far. One game at Yankee Stadium should put the damper on that. Even advancing beyond that mearing is a stay in execution.
But as Alexander Pope would so eloquently stated: “Hope Springs Eternal.” So I will watch much like I slow down to observe some traffic nightmare that is best avoided watching. I will not expect much – a situation quite similar to when the starting bell was rung back in April.