2006 State of the Sox

Week in a Box: April 16-22

Perfect.  

Sure, a 6-0 week that includes three games against the Omaha Royals isn’t the most a team can brag about, but the six wins count no matter what – especially when the Sox had to go through Johan Santana for one of them.  The streak has catapulted them to the top of the division after losing the lead two games into the season.  Let’s hope they can start another 163-game regime.

Jim Thome also set a record by scoring at least one run in 17 consecutive games (and counting) to start the season.  Sox starters picked up the win in every game, which is a testament to their performance, solid offense and a bullpen that’s doing just enough to close games out.

This week’s winners and losers will be hard to pick, especially when there are so many of the former and so few of the latter, so feel free to disagree if you feel I made the wrong choice on a close call.

Player of the Week:  Jermaine Dye.  This was such a toss-up, between him, Jim Thome and Paul Konerko.  And that’s not overlooking the breakout week by Scott Podsednik or the hitmongering of A.J. Pierzynski either.  I may change my mind and give this one to Thome because he’s been such a force, but since his World Series-winning single, it seems like Jermaine can do no wrong with runners on.  Help me out here if your inclinations are any stronger.

Player of the Weak:  Brian Anderson.  It’s the second week in a row that Anderson receives this award, but he didn’t have the worst run.  He can surely build off a week in which he went 2-for-10 with a couple of walks, and his defense hasn't suffered through the struggles.

Pitcher of the Week:  Javier Vazquez.  Should Jose Contreras share this honor?  Maybe.  But Vazquez went eight innings without giving up a hit (Doug Mientkiewicz’s check-swing nubber didn’t count), which gives him an edge on seven innings of dominant, one-hit pitching by The Count.

Pitcher of the Weak:  Freddy Garcia.  He did go 2-0, which might make me consider sparing him the ignominy.  But he’s throwing a lot of meatballs and should’ve been beat up more by the Twins.  And it’s not cool to roll your eyes at a teammate for making an error that was mostly weather-induced.

Fireman of the Week:  Bobby Jenks.  He’s back into regular season form, throwing in the high-90s and locating his big curveball.  Jenks has four scoreless outings in a row and is 6-for-6 in save opportunities despite his early troubles.

Gas Can of the Week:  Boone Logan.  So what if he entered a game situation that was tailored for him on Saturday and didn’t execute?  If the two lefties he faced on Saturday reached on hits, that’s one thing.  But he walked them, and it wasn’t even close.  That was the only true lowlight out of a bullpen that wasn’t used much this week.

Super sub:  Rob Mackowiak.  Nobody really stands out because Ozzie’s been relying on his starters, but Mack’s batting eye is coming around.  Alex Cintron could make a case, and perhaps Saturday’s game is still too strong a memory.
 
Super scrub:  Chris Widger.  It’s hard for a backup catcher to hit, since he’ll see less at-bats than just about everybody else on a typical bench.  But he’s 0-for-9 so far, and that’s not cool.

Gold Glove:  Joe Crede.  He did have his second error of the season on a throw he should’ve made, but he’s looked so good out there otherwise.  Visually, he’s a sight to behold.  

Hands of Stone:  Scott Podsednik.  He’s alternated great games with bad ones, and I have to hold my breath whenever a ball goes to left.  It’s shades of Manny Ramirez out there – he makes you wonder where his head is sometimes.

Happy trails to you: Boone Logan.  With Javier Lopez pitching well in Charlotte, there’s little room for a situational lefty who can’t take advantage of his situations.  I don’t know if Logan will be gone, but there’s not much of a reason to keep him up.