Dice-K to DL; Red Sox' Depth Paying Off

Well, in my last post a week ago, I was suggesting that Dice-K be placed on the disabled list -- and I'm glad that has finally happened. (He had another poor outing June 19th) Maybe he can address his pitching problems in time to return with more effectiveness this season, but, I think it's going to take him most of the summer. Who knows if he'll even be back this season?

I think, despite the reluctance of Red Sox to acknowledge it, a sizeable part of Matsuzaka's difficulty is physical. His arm seems really tired. Perhaps his lack of velocity and other symptoms are related to his entire career, which includes years of a heavy pitching workload in Japan.

In any event, with John Smoltz filling Dice-K's spot in the rotation and Clay Buchholz ready to come up anytime, it seems the Sox starting pitching will remain as strong as ever.

The Red Sox' depth is emerging as a strength perhaps unmatched by any other team in Major League Baseball in 2009. So far, the depth of their bullpen has been even more impressive.

Unlike most baseball seasons in my life, I cannot think of a relief pitcher who might come into a game who is "bad" or sub-par. Almost every pitcher in the bullpen has pitched well. Javier Lopez, who didn't perform, is no longer on the team. Even lately, when individual pitchers like Ramon Ramirez, who has been terrific most of the season, has run into a rough patch, it doesn't matter as much because there is always another relief pitcher to come in and get the job done.
Yesterday, in a very unusual moment, Ramirez and Hideki Okajima both gave up hits to the Braves, but the Sox still hung in there and won on Nick Green's walk-off home run.

On top of pitchers' performing, David Ortiz appears further along on his way back to form.. He has found his timing and looks very different at the plate in the past two or three weeks. It still feels a tiny bit early to know if Big Papi can stay in this groove, but, what's important is that he's demonstrated his problems didn't seem tied to lost bat speed, but, rather, mechanical details he can address. If Ortiz can keep hitting like this, this may put the Sox over the top.

I think they could still use more hitting, and I hope Theo Epstein explores potential moves at the trading deadline. Think about it: This is one of the few moments in recent Sox history when they can approach the trading deadline with a "surplus" of players - of pitchers! - they can use to get a player or two to strengthen their team. Shouldn't Theo seize this moment and make the Sox even more unbeatable? Yes, injuries might still be a huge factor, especially with older, veteran pitchers like Smoltz and Brad Penny in our rotation, but, that just bolsters the argument to add to our lineup.

Back to Matsuzaka a second: I still don't understand why baseball writers lack the confidence to identify what they see with their own eyes. They kept harping on Dice-K's performance in recent weeks rather than discussing how he looked on the mound. His fastball had become so flat and hittable. It lacked any zip. His breaking pitches were often a lot further out of the strike zone than usual. Why didn't any writers mention that something seemed wrong with Dice-K?
It seems they were too wrapped up in enjoying ripping into Matsuzaka in every other way and harping on how BAD he was. Sportswriters in this town have been too hard on Dice-K, in my view. Don't get me wrong: I've been annyed by Dice-K myself, but, I can at least acknowledge his positive moments. In his first year, he did well much of the time. I recall him baffling hitters in the best lineups like the Yankees. My point is: There's a difference between Matsuzaka not performing due to arm trouble and him not performing because he's simply a bad pitcher. Well, he's a very good pitcher with serious arm (and shoulder) problems, I'd say.
Last point: Another HUGE point not made often enough is that Matsuzaka has found it very hard to adjust to pitching in the United States. I think it's fairly clear that he cannot grip the American baseball as he could grip the ball in Japan. He cannot throw the same pitches in the US. (He throws his changeup only occasionally here despite his changeup being his strongest pitch in Japan!) Peter Gammons is the only baseball writer who I've noticed ever reporting on these important changes Matsuzaka had to make.