After every series, we'll take stock of how each individual and group performance affects their overall value.
Lineup
Jacoby Ellsbury: Started hot with a three-hit game but didn't have any in the final two games. Ells is down to a .664 OPS on the year...not exactly MVP caliber like 2011.
Carl Crawford: Carl's rolling. A six-game hitting streak, extra-base hits, some speed, and even (a little) less flailing at sliders out of the zone. This is what we paid for.
Dustin Pedroia: It's been a disappointing year for Dustin, but might he be on the verge of a hot finish? Six hits including three doubles in the Rangers series, not to mention a stolen base. Keep it up Pedey.
Adrian Gonzalez: In August, Adrian is hitting .484/.543/.774/1.317. Hence, the big arrow. The lineup isn't to blame for how mediocre this team is. Adrian is back to MVP-level performance and is the guy we're building around. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Cody Ross: No complaints about Cody. Six more hits, including a homer in yesterday's disappointing loss. He was the best move Cherington made last offseason. I'm looking forward to some dumb team overpaying him this offseason.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia: More of the same from Salty -- a couple hits, but he's still a K machine. Will Ryan Lavarnway's presence light a fire under him?
Will Middlebrooks: Two dingers for Will, but perhaps more importantly (in the long term), two walks yesterday. Will's batting eye has been his downfall this year, with just 13 walks in 73 games (a .327 OBP compared to a .292 AVG). If he improves his eye, he's going to be a really good player.
Mike Aviles: Aviles isn't a bad player, but enough is enough with him at short. I know he just got back from an injury, but there's no reason for him to be there. Either keep up the good vibes with Pedro Ciriaco or #freejoseiglesias.
The Bench: Rough series for Shoppach, Ciriaco, and Kalish. I guess I could have been more generous; Will Middlebrooks' homer two days ago was of the pinch-hit variety, so I could have credited that to the bench.
Starting Pitching
A good start by Cook, but Beckett and Lester failed us again. It's no secret: They're what's wrong with this team's performance in 2012. I don't know if it's injuries, mentality, work ethic, or just an erosion of talent (and neither do you), but the Sox need to find a solution.
Bullpen
Five runs in 8.1 innings. I credit Mortensen for bailing out Beckett (even though he got the loss), but nonetheless the performance wasn't there overall.
Managing
I just don't care about Bobby V. that much. He does some things right, some things wrong (like all managers), but the problems with this team aren't his fault and the successes aren't his credit. He's not the solution; the whole management team needs to be reworked.
Overall
It's hard to feel good about this team right now. They're not a playoff team, I don't care what Bobby V. tells you. It's nice to see the heart of the order (and the big-money guys) tearing the cover off the ball, but as long as Franklin Morales is their best starter, the Red Sox are going nowhere.
