The Red Sox weren’t exactly stymied on offense, managing 15 runs in four games, but it wasn’t enough to get a series win over Cleveland when they really needed one.
The series against the Indians simply wasn’t a good one for the Red Sox, who lost their star first baseman, Kevin Youkilis for the year with an injured right thumb.
That said, both of the Red Sox' wins in the series were quite emotional ones, with Mike Lowell homering on his first pitch since being activated from the DL on Tuesday and Jonathan Papelbon getting out of a bases-loaded jam on Thursday night in front of a sellout crowd completely on its feet.
Here are some observations from a series that could have been a lot better for the Red Sox.
Justin Masterson Is Haunting the Red Sox
When the Red Sox traded Masterson to the Indians last July, they got an All-Star catcher in Victor Martinez, who has done everything on his part to live up to Boston’s end of the deal.
Unfortunately for the Red Sox, Masterson has come back to bite his old team twice in 2010.
With five innings of one-run ball on Wednesday, Masterson improved to 2-0 against Boston this year. He is 2-8 against the rest of the league. His first start was even more impressive, when he threw his first career shutout against the Red Sox in Cleveland on June 9.
Boston was reportedly trying to reacquire Masterson before the July 31 trade deadline, but the Indians declined — probably because they know he has the capability to pitch like he does every time against the Red Sox.
Adrian Beltre Wants AL MVP Award
Beltre had three home runs and nine RBIs in the series against Cleveland, including a grand slam on Thursday. He now leads the team in average (.336), RBIs (75), hits (136) and doubles (31).
There are many candidates competing for the AL MVP this season, and if the Red Sox can somehow swing their way into the postseason, Beltre should get some strong consideration.
Jon Lester Can't Buy a Win
Lester is 0-4 since the All-Star break, when, at the time, he was one of the leading candidates for the AL Cy Young Award.
On Thursday, he pitched five innings of four-run (two earned) ball in the team’s 9-1 loss to Masterson and the Tribe. Lester was apparently cramping in the humid weather.
If Boston has any shot of making the postseason, it will need everything it can get from its supposedly stellar starting rotation.
