QUOTE(beck72 @ Aug 20, 2005 -> 06:17 PM)
Even with the horrible play of late, the sox have me more encouraged that they'll get it out of their system before the playoffs start and be ready for October. Sure, there are the doubters who worry the Indians and Twins may yet overtake the sox. But IMO, the sox pitching is strong enough that the offense will score enough runs to keep the AL Central teams at bay.
today was a prime example of why the sox should be OK. Before, when the sox couldn't buy a hit or get on base by standing on the plate, I wasn't so sure. But they had the scoring chances, had guys on base. They execute, they win. It didn't happen today. Yet even at their worst, they still were in the ballgame.
Up and down the lineup, most of the guys are at their obsolute worst hitting wise--avg, OBP, SLG, situational hitting, working pitchers. They can't get any worse if they tried.
This collective funk will pass. All it takes is one game to get over it. It's not like in years past where you'd feel the sox were overmatched, and unable to mount a serious threat against even weak teams. Against possible playoff opponents who've been playing good ball, the sox, at their obsloute worst, have been in the games. They get back to playing the unselfish team game, working pitchers, playing solid defense, they'll be ready for the playoffs.