Josh Beckett was struggling. Rookie Junichi Tazawa was still unproven. They were getting ready to grant Brad Penny‘s request to be released.
Obviously, a little stability by way of the grizzled 43-year-old veteran couldn’t hurt.
Against Chicago on Wednesday night, Wakefield exceeded expectations. He submitted seven innings of six-hit ball and allowed just one run while striking out three, lowering his ERA to 4.12. He didn’t get the win — he left the game with a 2-1 lead before Ramon Ramirez surrendered a game-tying homer to Scott Podsednik — but Boston eventually prevailed on a walk-off bomb by David Ortiz.
It was a feel-good night all around and had Boston looking like the team Red Sox Nation has become familiar with since 2004.
Wakefield was placed on the disabled list on July 15 after straining his lower back. Prior to the All-Star break, the knuckleballer compiled an 11-3 record with a 4.12 ERA.