Let us assess the situation

Hi all, this is Evan Dwight, the fill in for Doom while he's off burying his head in the tundra during the All Star Break.

Just thought we could sit back and assess a few things here.

1. The AL East standings as of 7/3/2008:

Tampa Bay Rays: 52-32
Boston Red Sox: 50-37, 3.5 GB
New York Yankers: 45-40, 7.5 GB
(the other teams)

Yes, the Sox are currently looking up at the Tampa Bay Rays. This is the baseball equivalent of waking up one morning to realize the mailboy from the office is sleeping with your wife. And she's handing your the divorce papers. And the dog is vomiting on you.

2. Varitek, the team captain, is hitting poorly.

Let us play a fun game.

2008 Stats:
Catcher A: 231 AB, .216 AVG, .300 OBP, 7 HR, 26 RBI
Catcher B: 188 AB, .218 AVG, .293 OBP, 6 HR, 24 RBI

Can you guess who they are?

(no peaking)

Ready?
A: Captain 'Tek
B: Lifetime backup's backup, Paul Bako (Cincinnati)

Yes, we're in need of some catching help.

3. What pitches 4.2 innings in the last week and gives up 13 hits, 11 runs, 5 walks with only 5 strikeouts?

Give up?

It is the Red Sox "top middle relief" trio of Delcarmen, Hansen & Okajima!

Ugh.

4. So far, there is little indication that things will change.
The rotation is set for now, with Beckett, Dice, Wakefield, Masterson and Lester. Buchholz is waiting in the wings at Pawtucket.
The hitting has been OK, minus the slumps of 'Tek, Manny and Ellsbury.

Maybe we need to slide Masterson to the bullpen, bring Buchholz back up and give that a shot.

You know, that and pray Papi gets back and hits 40 HRs from here on in.

Am I right? Am I right?

Sigh.