Well, here we are a year later than the Marathon Bombing on April 15 of last year and the Sox season so far isn't looking like the Championship one of last year at this time. At that time, the Hub Hose had a winning record and were sitting in the AL East 1st place slot. Right now, we're seeing a last place position in the Division, a losing record and a three game losing streak, capped off last night by a bottom of the 9th throwing error that allowed the Chisox to win, 2-1. Peavey deserved better than this, and, during this losing streak, the Sox pitching has, for the most part been likewise. To make matters worse, in the two most recent losses to the Stripes, in one game, MLB has subsequently admitted its error in the new replay system, and in the next game, cost the Sox the game as they gave up the winning run on a reversal of play that on screen reviews showed was "inconclusive", or, in baseball's replay structure, not reversible. When Farrell decided to debate this issue with the umps, he was tossed, as a debate over a replay is like balls and strikes--non-arguable.
Now, this might all be a bit more bearable if the Sox were healthy. But, things in that area of discussion seem to be taking an ominous turn for the worse. Now, in the headline, I alluded to 2010, when an unprecedented list of injuries to key Sox players led to them missing the post-season. This season's injury skein so far hasn't taken that severe a turn, but, for being in the first two weeks of the season, it's looking potentially ominous if not reversed.
Consider the following: Middlebrooks and Vic are out with injuries and have been for basically the entire season so far. Pedey has a wrist injury that has affected his play, and finally led to him sitting for a couple of games, last night's defensive participation in the 9th notwithstanding. Last season's heroic closer, Uehara, is sitting due to a "stiff" shoulder. No-one on the team has commented about it one way or the other, but if he's gone for any length of time, it could have serious repercussions. Until the top of the 9th last night, that was the extent of Hose injuries so far in 2014. Then, Nap slides into second and injures his finger. No word yet which finger or on which hand, but, if a finger is hurting, it can negatively affect one's bat swing. If it's a throwing hand, there goes the ability to handle most plays in the infield. If a glove hand, it could have some negative affect. although presumably somewhat less than if it's on the throwing hand.
So, what's next? Hopefully, nothing and we can get this slide terminated and the full lineup back to good health, hopefully. But, right now, this observer is getting a bit uncomfortable with the direction that things are headed.
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