Easy trade off

I'd much rather stay up late to see a Red Sox win than feel like turning it off before it even gets dark.

There are several struggling people I blame for the sitaution the Red Sox find themselves in. I blame them because they are not just in a slump. And no, this doesn't mean Tampa doesn't deserve credit for their play. We can be intelligent enough to cite more than one reason for something, can't we?

Jason Varitek. It's no secret that he's been going through a divorce and it's a poorly held secret that infidelity might have played a part. Long-term, repeated infidelity, is the rumor. So he hasn't hit all season. But now he's giving up passed balls in critical situations. And he took a third strike with two on and less than two out yesterday. Inexcusable. He knew the ump was giving wide strikes. He needed to put the ball in play. He's supposed to be smart. He's playing dumb.

David ORRtiz. There are five or six guys who are more deserving of his spot in the batting order. Just like his knee problem a few years ago that required surgery he didn't get until after the season, he didn't get that wrist properly fixed. It's costing us big time right now. For much of the season--before the injury, even--he's been a shadow of his former self. It's a wonder Pedroia gets anything to hit.

Ellsbury. Enough with the popups. Hit the ball on the ground. (In fairness, Francona should've pulled him and put Coco in by now, a nift reversal of last year's strategy that worked so well.)

Beckett. The string of nagging injuries leaves me no choice but to conclude that Mr. Beckett got fat and happy with himself after last season's success and came back ill-prepared for the season. Let's hope he goes to fat camp--or at least one of those super workout training centers--this offseason.