On Monday, the City of Boston hosted the 114th Boston Marathon.
Unfortunately for Red Sox fans, the sight of visitors running rampant has become all too common.
The Red Sox have done little right so far this season. Despite the offense’s struggles, the outfield’s injuries and the rotation’s general suckiness, the most glaring weakness is the team’s inability to throw out would-be base stealers.
If you’re in a head-to-head league and searching for that last, crucial steal, look no further than the Boston Red Sox. Jacoby Ellsbury stole 70 bases last year, but I’m eying Victor Martinez and the Boston pitching staff.
Through 13 games, the Red Sox have allowed 22 stolen bases in 23 attempts (96%), both league highs. In fact, the next closest team (Arizona) has allowed just 17 stolen bases… and this was before Texas visited Boston on Tuesday night.
I started writing this as I watched the game, and it was one of the most incredible displays of baserunning that I have ever seen. The Rangers stole eight bases through four innings and finished with nine on the evening. Martinez had zero chance at throwing anyone out as both Elvis Andrus and Nelson Cruz stole three bases. Even the knee-less Vladimir Guerrero swiped a pair.
That’s right, Guerrero stole two bases – as many as he had in 100 games last season – in one inning!
Much of tonight’s dominance is Tim Wakefield‘s fault. He’s never been remotely good at preventing stolen bases, but his failures tonight only exacerbate what is already this Red Sox squad’s achilles heel.
Use it to your advantage.
Proofread Police here, Curley: achilles “heel” not “heal.”
Yikes, glad to see someone is reading these things. Thanks, man.