Three months in and the Sox are still in first place with a record of 49-30 (Ed note: at time of writing) .620 (the best winning percentage in the majors) even though they made it through June sub .500 with a 13-14 mark. The month started off losing two of three to the Yankees and also ended on a home loss to Texas with the teams’ best pitcher on the mound. In between, the dwellers of the Fens, lost 3 of 4 at Oakland, won 2 of three at Arizona. Came home and dropped 2 of three to the Rockies, swept the Giants, then won two of three in Atlanta and San Diego, went sleepless in Seattle (sorry I had to) and split the first two of a four game set with the Rangers. 10 of the teams 13 wins in June were against the National League. They were 5-4 at Fenway in June and 8-10 on the road. Still going into July 1st their lead stood at 10.5 games over Toronto in the AL East.
Well now it’s time to take a little whirl through the Boston roster including the manager and give each player a quick review of how things are at this point in the season. I will also include their May grade so you can see if they went up or down.
Manager Terry Francona: I downgraded Terry and the staff as a whole this month from an A to a B. It’s hard to hand the staff a top grade when the team plays sub.500 ball. But with that said the manager and coaches aren’t the one’s in the field.
Grade: B (May Grade: A)
Starting Nine:
Shortstop Julio Lugo: If you looked in the dictionary for the work “sucks” you’d see his picture at this point. His average dropped 40 points from .230 through 52 games to .190 though 79 games. Not only is this not good, it’s pretty damn terrible. So terrible in fact he was pulled from his traditional lead off spot and dropped to ninth. Lately he has been pinch hit for in key situations and also is gathering more splinters. Four years, $36 million, thanks Uncle Theo.
Grade: F (May Grade: C)
First Baseman Kevin Youkilis: Great OBP of .502, very good batting average of .326 but his power numbers dropped off to 1 HR in June and about 13 RBI. Has played 122 consecutive errorless games at first which is a new club record. Has taken Trot Nixon’s place as the team “Dirt Dog”. Needs to be more consistent with his blog entries. Should be an All-star.
Grade: B (May Grade: A)
Designated Hitter David Ortiz: Very happy with the BA of .318 and somewhat happy with the 49 RBI but he needs more digits in the HR column. Do you realize “Big Papi” hasn’t hit a Fenway HR since April 28th against the Yankees? He also needs to get those close and late numbers up. I don’t know what they are but I heard the other day they aren’t good and I, like you, have seen it with my own eyes.
Grade: B- (May Grade: B)
Left Fielder Manny Ramirez: Just 3 HRs and 12 RBI in June. These are not Manny-like numbers. His average has dropped 20 points in the last 7 games of June.
Grade: C (May Grade: B-)
Right Fielder J.D. Drew: Raised his average to .259 and spent some time hitting lead off. Was very comfortable in the NL parks including a big 2 HR /7 RBI game at Arizona. Had an 8 game hit streak to end the month. Has been on base in 52 of his 68 games.
Grade: C (May Grade: D)
Third Baseman Mike Lowell: Averaged dropped over 30 points in June with just 2 HRs and 14 RBI. Had a 7 game hit streak to end the month with 5 RBI during the streak. 3 errors in June to raise his season total to 12, double what he had in a full season last year.
Grade: B- (May Grade: A)
Catcher/team captain Jason Varitek: Had been very steady but is hitting .200 in his last 12 games to drop his average to .261. Has caught 60 games, 15 of his 19 off days have been starts by Tim Wakefield.
Grade: C+ (May Grade: B)
Center Fielder Coco Crisp: Has seen his average rise over 20 points in June and hit for some power on the last road trip with 3 HRs. Missed last two games of the month with an injured thumb. Hitting .368 in his last 18 games. Had his first career 2 HR game at Atlanta on June 18th.
Grade: B+ (May Grade: C+)
Second Baseman Dustin Pedroia: The rookie second baseman continues to shine as his average went up another 20 points in June. Hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games in the month. Set career highs with 5 hits and 5 RBI vs. the Giants on June 15th
Grade: A- (May Grade: B-)
The Bench:
Catcher Doug Mirabelli: 1 for 16 in his last 9 games. Plays once every five days to catch Tim Wakefield. Still hitting below .200 on the year. Grade: C- (May Grade: C)
Infielder Alex Cora: Very solid defensively, has been above average at the plate and has been a great role player filling in for Lugo and Pedroia when needed.
Grade: A (May Grade: A)
Infielder/Outfielder Eric Hinske: Hit 2 HRs in limited playing time in the month with both coming on the road one in Atlanta and one in Seattle. His value is that he can play 4 positions and he is a gamer.
Grade: C+ (May Grade: C+)
Outfielder Wily Mo Pena: With Crisp sitting out some games what does it tell you about Wily Mo when the Sox go and call up Jacoby Ellsbury?
Grade: D (May Grade: D)
Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury: made ML debut on June 30th v Texas, had one hit.
Grade: Incomplete (May Grade: None)
Outfielder David Murphy: recalled for a few games, no real impact.
Grade: Incomplete (May Grade: None)
The Pitching Staff:
The Starters:
Curt Schilling: Had a great outing in Oakland throwing his third career one-hitter then had two real suck ass one’s and went on the DL where he will stay until after the All-Star break. Grade: C+ (May Grade C+)
Josh Beckett: Lost two games in June, both at home one to the Rockies and the other to the Rangers. Still 11-2 with an ERA under 4.00. Had a great outing vs. San Diego and Jake Peavy getting the win. Should be an All-Star.
Grade: B+ (May Grade: A)
Daisuke Matsuzaka: Getting better and better. 2-2 with one huge no decision in June. Grade: B+ (May Grade: B+)
Tim Wakefield: Continues to have a .500 record but has pitched better than that. Was outstanding against Colorado and Texas.
Grade A- (May Grade A-)
Julian Tavarez: Continues to be a solid 5th starter, now 4th with Schilling on the DL.
Grade: C+ (May Grade: B-)
Kason Gabbard: Made one start in June and barely got out alive but didn’t get the loss. Only last 3.1 innings and walked 6 guys plus hit a guy. Walked in three consecutive runs in the first inning of the start at Seattle.
Grade: D (May Grade: B)
The Bullpen:
Jonathan Papelbon: Only one blown save so far he is 19 out of 20 continues to be effective and dominant. Has ERA of 1.50 and 0.84 WHIP. Should be an All-Star.
Grade: A- (May Grade: A-)
Hideki “Darkman” Okajima: No runs allowed in last 10.2 innings. Has an ERA of 0.92 and a 0.82 WHIP. Best K of the month when he whiffed Barry Bonds looking. Should be an All-Star.
Grade: A (May Grade: A)
Mike Timlin: Came off DL was a little shaky at first starting to come around now with 1.2 scoreless innings. Gave up 6 ER in 9.2 innings since coming off DL on June 9th.
Grade C+ (May Grade: C+)
Joel Piniero: On DL. Took extra inning loss in Seattle. Has shown improvement and Francona uses him in more tight situations.
Grade: C- (May Grade: D)
Brendan Donnelly: On DL a bit of struggle in first Boston season.
Grade: C- (May Grade: D)
Javier Lopez: Has a 2.92 ERA in last 18 outings.
Grade: C+ (May Grade: C-)
Manny DelCarmen: Very solid since call up. Has only yielded two runs and those were at Seattle on the last road trip. Grade: B- (May Grade: C)
Kyle Snyder: 8.1 scoreless innings in last 6 appearances.
Grade: A- (May Grade: A-)
