Heading into this critical final month, I have to say that I was struck by the season batting averages of last night's Red Sox lineup, which figures to be the every day lineup the rest of the way:
Boston AVG
Damon .331
Renteria .287
Ortiz .297
Ramirez .283
Nixon .293
Varitek .301
Olerud .308
Mueller .298
Graffanino .306
With the two black holes, Bellhorn (released) and Millar (replaced by Olerud) gone, what team wants to face this lineup in October? For pete's sake, the lowest average is Manny's, and with the way he's hitting homers and driving in runs, who wants to face him?
If I'm not mistaken, the White Sox don't have a single regular hitting above .300. The Sox have seven who are .293 or higher!
Only pitching can keep this team from repeating, and its up to Schilling to get himself situated at the top of the rotation and Foulke to be Foulke. Otherwise, we need to have the courage to let rookies like Papelbon and Craig Hansen step in and show what they can do.
Another title is there for the taking.