Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Let’s boil down the problems of the 2012 Red Sox to a real short list.
At the top is Josh Beckett, and then comes Jon Lester. That’s where it begins and that’s where it ends.
It’s not the offense, it’s not the manager, it’s not the schedule, it’s not the payroll, it’s not the coaches, it’s not bad luck, it’s not the fans, it’s not the defense, it’s not the bullpen, it’s not the rest of the rotation, it’s not the bench players, it’s not the minor-leaguers, it’s not the rookies, it’s not the owners, it’s not the media, it’s not the heat and it’s not the humidity.
And it’s not up for debate, either.
Herald: Root of all woes
Beckett's stinker yesterday was disappointing on my levels. The total lack of control, the eight earned runs and the three home runs. But it wasn't just the fact that he gave up those home runs, he has been known to give up his shares ever since he arrived, it was actually the fact that he did not allow a home run since May 10th.
His season now looks even worse. He's not just making two bad pitches that cost him the game no no. Teams are putting together rallies off of him. Combine this with Lester's season of suck and that is why this team has been cellar dwellers for most of 2012. They have both shown glimpses of how good they are every now and then but you can't trust them to give you seven quality innings anymore. Until that happens...last place is where this team stays.
As a fan there's always this hope with a struggling team that they will somehow turn it around and eventually win. Not this team. If this season were an MMA fight, the Red Sox have been knocked out and the opposition keeps wailing away because the referee hasn't stopped it. (Like this.)
Rest of the links: Globe: Rangers rough up Beckett | Another rough outing for Beckett | Crawford coming on for Red Sox | Herald: Sox can't stand up | Mortensen can't reward Bobby V's faith | Where there's a Will Middlebrooks.. | CSNNE: After rally, just another loss | Beckett: Control was an issue | Mortensen fails to finish | WEEI: Sox can't keep pace | Ortiz defends Beckett
