Red Sox in Trouble; Lose First Game of Trip

In the first game of a 10 game road trip, the Boston Red Sox fell 7-0 to the Division rival Toronto Blue Jays. Pitching was a problem. Offense was a problem. It was just a bad game overall.

And this is bad.

Why? Because the Red Sox just finished off a dismal homestead in which they only won 3 of 9 games. Now, they’re heading to Toronto, Oakland and Seattle. On Sunday afternoon, the Red Sox embark on the rest of their trip by going out west, after having played the Jays who are a division rival and have given the Red Sox nothing to cheer about in the past when they play up there.

This is where the trip becomes crucial.

Yes, I understand that the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics finish out the two bottom spots in the AL West. But unfortunately, the Red Sox do the same for their division.

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Also, the Sox have been historically bad as of late out West, especially in Oakland. From a spectator’s point of view on a TV screen, Oakland’s ballpark looks extremely dismal and almost depressing, so I can see why people feel that way.

The only positive with going to Oakland is that in that “hell-hole” of a ballpark, if you’re a pitcher, you love it. Especially a fly ball one since fly balls go to Oakland to die due to the vast outfield.

So why is this series of games so crucial?

Well, the Red Sox currently sit at 13-15 on the year and tied for last place in the AL East. If the Red Sox go ahead and win only about 3 of these games, they could dig themselves a hole that would be impossible to escape. Also, the Sox would fall well into last place, which could lead to lots of firings and even a firestorm of trades. The Red Sox also don’t want to assume the role of “sellers” in mid-may.

This road trip is a good time for the starting pitchers to gain some confidence back, and let me just clarify: getting confidence back doesn’t mean every starter pitching 7 innings every start. It means that out of the road trip the Sox are currently in, 4 or 5 quality starts may show themselves and glimpses of consistency finally poke their head out of the darkness. But can they do it?

Right now, the Red Sox are walking on eggshells and any little addition to their struggles could result in loss of playoff hopes and would then ultimately lead to major losses in personnel.

But will they know when the eggshells finally break?

Brace Yourselves.