On a day where one eye was on the television and another watching the trade rumors fly on Twitter, the Boston Red Sox were on the field trying to take the rubber game against the Chicago White Sox. And thanks to yet another Alfredo Aceves great relief effort and a clutch hit from Dustin Pedroia, the Red Sox did exactly that in a 5-3 win.
With the uncertainty of the news about the health of Clay Buchholz and rumors out there the Red Sox were looking for a starting pitcher, Andrew Miller took to the mound possibly pitching for his spot in the Red Sox rotation and maybe even his roster spot. In his past few starts, he’s had some control issues. That wasn’t the case yesterday, instead it was the amount of hits he gave up.
Long after he had left the game, the Red Sox had acquired oft-injured starter Erik Bedard from the Seattle Mariners for a slew of prospects. But had Miller been able to get one more out, he would have had a quality start. Instead, he found himself out of the game with an eventual no decision after allowing three runs on 10 hits and a walk with eight strikeouts over 5.2 innings of work.
While the walk number was encouraging, you have to wonder if it was enough for Miller to stay in the rotation. Obviously with the addition of Bedard, someone has to go from the Red Sox rotation. It won’t be Josh Beckett, Jon Lester or John Lackey but rather either Tim Wakefield or Miller. And with Terry Francona’s loyalty to veterans and the fact Wake has been pitching better lately, my guess is that Miller will be the odd man out.
Miller’s stuff right now would probably make him an effective weapon out of the bullpen. They do have two down there in Randy Williams and Franklin Morales but they aren’t people who Tito can rely on. Maybe Miller can earn the trust and be the go-to lefty in the pen. I’m sure we’ll learn more about what’s going happen either today or sometime during the week.
Sure Theo Epstein acquired Adrian Gonzalez and signed free agents Carl Crawford, Dan Wheeler and Bobby Jenks during the offseason. But hasn’t the acquisition of Aceves been his best one yet. I’m sure there’s an argument there that Gonzo is the best but if we went that route, I think you”ll agree with me that it’s been Aceves down in the pen.
Miller has made eight starts and Aceves has been there to help him out. Because of Pedroia’s clutch two-run single, Aceves was able to pick up his seventh win of the season and fourth in July. There had been some discussions between people on Twitter how the Red Sox didn’t need a starter and could just put Aceves back in the rotation.
I highly disagree with that thought as Aceves, at least right now, is suited best for the Red Sox bullpen. If it’s not for him, the Red Sox may not be in the position they are in in the AL East standings (two game lead over the Aceves’ former team the New York Yankees).
The Red Sox finished off a record month of July that saw them go 20-6. Now they’ll open up the home stretch with a four-game set against the Cleveland Indians who are 2.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.
We’ll be back later today with this evening’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
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Going for it: Sox hope Bedard represents a finishing touch [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
In the end, it’s Red Sox [Boston Globe]
Save situation for Epstein [Boston Globe]
Throwing in their lot with Bedard [Boston Globe]
Andrew Miller knows future out of his control [Boston Herald]
Questions surround oft-injured Erik Bedard [Boston Herald]
Frank Thomas: David Ortiz an all-time best [Boston Herald]
Sox armed for run [Boston Herald]
Red Sox continue road dominance, 5-3 in Chicago [CSNNE.com]
Red Sox acquire left-hander Erik Bedard from M’s [CSNNE.com]
The road to Bedard was winding [CSNNE.com]
Notes: Miller mediocre at best in Sox win [CSNNE.com]
Buchholz has stress fracture, likely out for year [CSNNE.com]
Hot times for Sox in July [ESPN Boston]
Who was dealt away [ESPN Boston]
Monster month of mashing [ESPN Boston]
Evaluating the trade deadline moves [Extra Bases]
Lars Anderson on deal that wasn’t: ‘All fantasy’ [Full Count]
Closing Time: Red Sox close out best July in franchise history [Full Count]
Red Sox announce trade for Erik Bedard, Josh Fields [Full Count]
Theo Epstein: Erik Bedard ‘can go out and beat anybody’ [Full Count]
Red Sox beat the buzzer with Bedard deal [Full Count]
Ryan Lavarnway’s Progress Made it Easier to Part Ways With Tim Federowicz [NESN.com]
Video: Terry Francona Excited to Have Erik Bedard Join Rotation As Red Sox Complete 20-Win July [NESN.com]
Theo Epstein Concerned About Clay Buchholz’s Back, Thought Adding Starting Pitching Was a Must [NESN.com]
Miller battles his way to victory [Providence Journal]
Day after trade falls through, Lars Anderson right back where he started [Providence Journal]
Sox felt they needed a starter, and Bedard turns out to be their man [Providence Journal]
Red Sox month in review: Offense was hotter than the weather in July [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Boston hopes it can bring out the best in Bedard [Providence Journal]
Bedard an obvious gamble, Red Sox still team to beat [RedSox.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
And if you must check out the enemy news, head over the Chicago Daily Herald, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Daily Southtown or ESPN Chicago websites.
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
Photo credit: Getty Images
