End of the line for the 2010 Red Sox; what went wrong?

RIP 2010 Red Sox

Was last night any closure?

If Saturday night wasn't enough, Sunday sure sealed the deal.

Dan Johnson's walk-off, then John Lackey continuing to be a bust for the money he is earning (five-year $82.5 million).



The Red Sox entered the series 5.5 games back in the American League East and the AL Wild Card. Now they find themselves 6.5 back in both.

That's just too much ground.

Despite what the September schedule says, unless the Rays or Yankees decide to absolutely collapse it's mathematically impossible.

The reality

On paper, September favors the Red Sox, but the Rays have the 'easiest' schedule of the three.

Red Sox - Baltimore (2), Chicago (2), Oakland, Seattle, Toronto, New York (2)

Yankees - Oakland, Toronto (2), Baltimore (2), Texas, Tampa Bay (2), Boston (2)

Rays - Toronto (2), Baltimore (2), Boston, New York (2), Los Angeles, Seattle, Kansas City

The Yankees and Rays are tied with an 80-50 record. Both play tonight as the Sox (74-57) have the night off.

Boston has one series remaining with Tampa Bay (Sept. 6-8 at Fenway) and two with New York (Sept. 24-26 at Yankee Stadium, Oct. 1-3 at Fenway).

The rant

As a Red Sox fan I don't want to give up. I'll still watch the games and act the same as if it was Game 7 of the World Series.

As a reporter it becomes harder and harder to be realistic about the idea this team still has a chance. Some players have stepped up tremendously and have had career years, but others aren't willing to do the same, which is part of the problem.

If Josh Beckett and John Lackey were pitching like it was 2007, the Red Sox pitching staff would be unstoppable.

Jon Lester has had some lights out outings, but recently he's been out of sync as well.

Clay Buchholz is currently the ace of this staff. Almost hard to believe and even more hard to believe that his name is being said in the same sentence as Cy Young.

Other ramblings

Say good-bye to Adrian Beltre at the end of the season and it's really too bad. For some reason nothing wanted to click this year. Once the team finally regrouped in May the injury bug bit every starting player except for Beltre (*knocking on wood*). It's simply amazing how the Sox are technically still in the race and have stood their ground.

But losing Jacoby Ellsbury, Kevin Youkilis, and Dustin Pedroia for the rest of the season finally takes its toll. And even though David Ortiz, Victor Martinez, and Beltre are carrying the front load of the offense, it's still not enough.

Theo Epstein will has his work cut out for him this off-season and if he doesn't produce a post-season team in 2011 there will be a lot of frustrated fans out there that will put his his General Manager's position in question.