We’ll see. Until then, let’s get into some questions that can be answered.
Should Carl Crawford move up in the order now?
–Mickey, Boston
I think so. He is finally hot and is relaxing. No doubt things started to snowball with the slow start, and the at-bats were mounting with little success. All of that has changed with the walk-off hit Sunday against the Mariners. This has not been just one guy struggling; his teammates have struggled with him, and their reaction to his success was heartfelt. Carl Crawford is finally playing up to his preseason expectations and yes, it is time to move him up to the fifth slot, where I like him most. I like having speed in the first inning with Jacoby Ellsbury and most nights again in the second inning with Crawford. But hitting seventh or eighth is not going to last long in his current state of hotness.
Will Bobby Jenks lose his seventh-inning spot?
–Connie, Salem, N.H.
I don’t think he will yet. His job is clearly the seventh, and while he has not pitched well, you have to stick with the game plan for as long as possible. Over the weekend, he struggled but said he found something on video that he was doing wrong. I think there is something to pitching in the seventh rather than the adrenaline rush of being the closer. Will he adapt? I think he will over time. I also think that when he does get right, the Jenks (seventh), Daniel Bard (eighth) and Jonathan Papelbon (ninth) thing is a perfect formula to shorten the game. If it does not improve, the work by Matt Albers has been very good, and he could be an option, but I don’t think we are there yet.
Jason Varitek is the captain. Does Dustin Pedroia carry any weight in a leadership role?
–Jeff, Peaks Island, Maine
Most definitely. He is the spark plug on the field and, in my mind, off it. He is the type of guy who leads by example first and foremost but also will be vocal when it is needed. I think when Jason Varitek‘s run is over here that Dustin Pedroia is the captain of the future. It does not hurt to be able to back yourself with credentials and his Rookie of the Year and MVP awards on his mantel take care of that. He wills himself to win and expects the same from his teammates. His 13-pitch battle with Jered Weaver the other night was a classic, epic battle of great determination and perseverance. Small only in stature, he is heard by all.
Are you surprised by the Red Sox domination of the Angels in 2011?
–Stacey, Austin, Texas
I am. This is not just some middle-of-the-road AL team. They are good, and each time the Red Sox have faced them, they have either led or been tied atop the AL West to begin the series. For whatever reason, the Red Sox, since getting swept by the Angels in the 2009 ALDS, have never looked back, and it is amazing. It’s been at home and on the road, while pitching and hitting against Anaheim’s best. The Sox’ first visit to Disneyland this season was surprising, but their success against the Halos is continuing and it’s a good measuring stick as to where the Red Sox stand.
This current run of opponent starting pitching is amazing. How have the Red Sox done so well?
–Randall, Smithsfield, R.I.
It’s pretty amazing when you take into account that in the last three games, the Sox have faced Felix Hernandez, Jered Weaver and Dan Haren, and they came out on top in each. Not all of the pitchers were directly tagged with a loss, but the Red Sox picked up the wins regardless. In each instance, Boston got into the opponents’ bullpen before each of the opposing starters would have liked. Timely hitting, for a change, and patience to drive up the pitch count have been key. These are the game’s best pitchers and the Red Sox are beating them. Tuesday night, it took until the third time through to get Haren, but they did and they keep rolling on.
