This has been an extremely inconsistent, frustrating red sox season. 50% of the time, they come out looking like they did last night: bats on fire, solid decisions from Sveum and Francoma, strong pitching in crucial situations, and a handful of outstanding defensive plays that steal a run or two. The other 50% of the time, the games resemble that of Monday's night's loss: the Sox look completely flat. Call it what you will: uninspired, underachieving, slumping...they just look flat.

Of course, their record is only 4 games or so worse than it was at this time last season. Given the improvement of so many teams in their league, they're really not any worse than they were last year. So why all of the sleepless nights in Red Sox Nation?


Here's the lineup that had all of us celebrating during the off-season:
C Jason Varitek
1B El Bencho
2B Pokey Reese/Mark Bellhorn
3B Bill Mueller
SS Nomar Garciaparra
LF Manny Ramirez
CF Johnny Damon
RF Trot Nixon
DH David Ortiz

Rotation:
Pedro
Schilling
Lowe
Wakefield
Kim


Just typing it now makes my mouth water. Now, here's the lineup as of mid-August:
C Jason Varitek
1B Doug Mint-cave-itch
2B Billy Mueller
3B Kevin Youkilis
SS Orlando Cabrera
LF Manny Ramirez
CF Johnny Damon
RF Gabe Kapler / El Bencho
DH David Ortiz

Not to mention, God knows the pitching rotation hasn't exactly been what we thought it would. Some of the additions have been a nice surprise (see: Kevin Youkilis), but the lineup is still, as a whole, a huge drop from what we all thought it would be in March.

Fuck you, high expectations.



All of that said, last night's game was extremely enjoyable. I personally think that homeruns are overrated*, and I'd much prefer to see my team rally for 5 hard-earned runs with a collection of singles and doubles. Last night was smallball at its finest, and all with 2 outs. Tek had an outstanding night (finally!) and Arroyo got the outs when he needed them. They looked like last year's team in that they simply refused to lose. Twice they gave up a lead only to storm right back onto the field and recapture it.

I also made a decision last night. I've been trying to hold off on any rash proclamations, but I believe I've waited long enough.

I. Fucking. Love. Doug. Mint-cave-itch.

The solid defense, the dirt dog attitude in the field, the good looks (sue me, I'm a woman)...it's all there. He's just one game-winning homerun away from being one of my favorite Red Sox.



*Homeruns are overrated, unless they come in the bottom of the 9th against Mariano Rivera. In that case, all bets are off.