Thursday, May 23, 2013
Granted, the Baltimore Orioles cannot complain, because they lost to the Rays 5-3. But Baltimore could not have been thrilled with the lineup the Red Sox put out against the Yankees:
Ciriaco, Nava, Ross, Gomez, Lavarnway, Saltalamacchia, Valencia, Lin, Iglesias.
As many have pointed out, five individuals in the Yankees lineup make more in salary than Boston's lineup combined (which included pitcher Clay Buchholz).
While the lineup looked more in line with a Triple-A group, the biggest problem was Buchholz, as the Yankees pounded him in a 10-2 win. New York is now a game ahead of Baltimore.
One reason for the weakened Boston lineup was the absence of Dustin Pedroia, due to a broken finger. Obviously, he misses the last two games. Also, Jacoby Ellsbury sat out. Bobby Valentine said it was because of the lefty CC Sabathia on the mound.
And, as others have reported, the Red Sox are 9-20 since the end of August - just like last year.
Boston (69-91) currently has the seventh-worst record in the majors, placing them well in next year's draft.
Tonight, Jon Lester (9-14) goes against David Phelps (4-4).
The standings:
AL EAST
Yankees 93-67
Orioles 92-68
AL CENTRAL
Tigers 87-73
AL WEST
Rangers 93-67
A’s 92-28
AL WILD CARD
Orioles 92-68
A’s 92-68
NL WILD CARD
Braves 93-67
Cardinals 87-73
Dodgers 85-75
FOR THE 2013 DRAFT
1. Astros 54-106
2. Cubs 60-100
3. Rockies 63-97
Twins 66-94
Indians 67-93
Marlins 68-92
RED SOX 69-91
Blue Jays 71-89
Royals 71-89
Kevin Thomas covers baseball and basketball for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He wisely moved to Maine in 1994 after working for the St. Petersburg Times. He is married to Nancy and they have nine children.
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Red Sox and Portland Sea Dogs on Clearing the Bases
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Celtics and Maine Red Claws on Holding Court
Subscribe to the
Holding Court RSS
Subscribe to the
Clearing the Bases RSS
More