via www.fangraphs.com

Summary:

Well, it wasn't vintage Becks, no matter how much the numbers might tell us otherwise. There was some iffiness, and an injury-scare. He certainly did get the job done though, and I'm not going to say he didn't earn the win. He absolutely did. And the iffiness could be chalked up to the raininess, I suppose.

Following Becks was three strong innings of relief from MDC, Oki, and Hansen in that order. MDC, in particular, looked pretty strong, striking out the side in the 7th. We need one (ideally two) of those three to start looking like a lockdown setup man. 

Our new (hopefully he remains so) #3 hitter was the top performer on the night, 2-3, 2 R, BB, SB. This is what they envisioned from Drew, and to say that this'll be the norm from now on probably isn't fair. But the fact remains, he's a very talented hitter who works the count and gets on base at an excellent rate. He should be higher in the lineup with Papi out, so that "Being" and Lowell can knock him in, rather than standing on 1B while Lugo and Coco fail to do so. As far as Coco goes? I haven't seen a good angle replay of either of his SB attempts, so I couldn't hazard a guess as to whether anyone is right at all in that mess. 

Eric Hinske stealing 3B? 'Tek and Becks should be embarrassed. 

Player of the Game:

via d.yimg.com

Could be that Becks is that statistically better choice for this game, but Drew hit well in this one and deserves some recognition for his play of late. Is this like the NBA giving the MVP to Kobe rather than KG or Chris Paul? *Shrugs* Also, no. 

Rant-o-licious:

So Papi is out? So what? Or, I just want to weigh in. Like FJM does, twice. But honestly. If he's out for longer than a month, or for the rest of the season, we might have to explore outside options. I've seen many bandied about, but one has been conspicuously absent, probably because his GM is bluffing that he's not on the block. But why wouldn't he be? This player is: 1) Hitting well, 2) Might be too old to be part of the "next great X team", 3) Talented OF who can play all 3 spots while also being potent enough offensively to DH, 4) Patient at the plate, 5) Seems to have matured since his early years in the Majors. This is the kind of player, when you should be in somewhat of a rebuilding mode, that can bring you back a good return to help your team in the future. And who is our mystery guest?

Milton Bradley. Let the virtual-flogging begin. (I am, of course, aware of his ridiculous BABIP and some other issues that come along with him. I still think he'd be a better option (tradewise, that is) than many of the other names brought up thusfar.)

It's amazing to me how similiar the 2008 Red Sox are to the 2007 Red Sox. There wasn't many ground breaking moves or changes in the lineup. However, there were a few players that found new territory to call home in 2008. Let's see how they're doing out of a Red Sox uniform:

(Editor's Note: Stats as of Wednesday afternoon)

Eric Hinske - Tampa Bay Rays

The lovable backup outfielder slash first baseman slash third baseman slash temporary dirt dog. We all remember his absolutely amazing catch out in right field, right? That was just beautiful. I think the Sox wanted to bring back Hinske in a backup role for 2008, there just wasn't the room to keep him. He's benefiting now, though. As you can see, Hinske's been cruising as a Ray this season. His average sits at a below-average .257, but he's shown quite a bit of power with his 10 home runs.

Plus or minus since '07: PLUS

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Wily Mo Pena - Washington Nationals

This guy still has so, so much potential. If the Red Sox were a young, rebuilding team last year, Pena would have worked out great. But with the team how it is, Pena just didn't have room to sit on the bench and not allow him to swing the redwood of his. This season he's a National but he's been injured off and on. I guarantee if this guy can get a full season in the NL he'll smash at least 40 home runs. We'll see if he ever stays healthy, though.

Plus or minus since '07: MINUS

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Kason Gabbard - Texas Rangers

You remember Mr. Gabbard. He brought us Eric Gagne, and who could forget that? (Yeah, he's coming. Just wait.) Gabbard has certainly struggled this season for the Rangers. He has more walks than strikeouts (23 to 18) and his WHIP is a not-so-good 1.71. Gabbard hasn't won a game since April 4. I think he's going to start turning around the season, but even at this point he has a lot of work to do.

Plus or minus since '07: MINUS

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Joel Pineiro - St. Louis Cardinals

You've got to remember this guy. He was supposed to be our closer going into the 2007 season. That wasn't the best experiment, to say the least. Pineiro didn't spend much time with the Sox (34 innings) before finding St. Louis as his new home last season. But ever since then, he's been quite strong for the Cards. He's not going to the All-Star game, but he's definitely improved since his Sox days.

Plus or minus since '07: PLUS

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J.C. Romero - Philadelphia Phillies

Why couldn't Romero do this when we was a Sox? Like Pineiro, he didn't see much time as a Sox but ever since he's left he's found good success. Romero is putting up the best numbers of his career in Philadelphia. You might be able to thank the fact he's pitching in the NL for the best hitting team in the NL, but let's give the guy some props: He hasn't exploded yet.

Plus or minus since '07: PLUS

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Eric Gagne - Milwaukee Brewers

19.1 IP, 23 H, 16 BB, 18 SO, 5 HR, 6.98 ERA

(Going old school because the 'widget' isn't working.)

Oh Gagne. It's sad to say, but it looks like he's done. Stick a fork in him. I gave him a pass for failing in Boston, but to fail in Milwaukee is another thing. It's not acceptable. The Brewers thought Gagne would be their missing piece to getting over the hump, but now they've found Gagne just can't do it any more. Now all Gagne has is that magical 2003 season. It was magical. It was one of the greatest seasons of any reliever ever. But now it looks like he is done. Too bad.

Plus or minus since '07: MINUS