*Official 8-15 At least they weren't swept...*

[Lipman 1]

That's all I can take out of this weekend.

The Sox once again show they can not consistently beat good teams. As Thomas posted last night, they've got problems.

The thinking was when the injured guys get back things will take off. Turns out it hasn't. And that was manifesting itself even BEFORE they started "the gauntlet..." which isn't going to get any easier.

2-5 vs. Houston, 1-5 vs. the Yankees...two teams they could face in October doesn't inspire a lot of confidence.

Now the A's come rolling into town and the pitching match up the first two games isn't in the Sox favor.

They've now lost four of the last five.

[Frater Perdurabo]

Every single individual game against the Yankees has been close, either decided in the last inning or the Sox threatening to tie at the end.

I’d obviously rather have won these games but it’s not necessarily a foregone conclusion that the Sox are destined to fail in the playoffs, when it’s a crapshoot and the winner is usually whatever team happens to get hot.

In addition, the Sox continue to get hosed badly by the home plate umpiring.

I do think that things will get better for the Sox defensively with Grandal behind the plate, and offensively with him in the lineup.

[Dumpjerry]

Except for the second game in New York, the games have too close for the Yankess to pray to see us in the post season.

[Lipman 1]

Every single individual game against the Yankees has been close, either decided in the last inning or the Sox threatening to tie at the end.

I’d obviously rather have won these games but it’s not necessarily a foregone conclusion that the Sox are destined to fail in the playoffs, when it’s a crapshoot and the winner is usually whatever team happens to get hot.

In addition, the Sox continue to get hosed badly by the home plate umpiring.

I do think that things will get better for the Sox defensively with Grandal behind the plate, and offensively with him in the lineup.

Frater: They are now 14-15 since the All-Star break. I'm sorry I think blaming the umpires isn't the reason for their issues which are coming more and more to the forefront.

I remember a coach telling me this once and I find it to be true, "If you think the umpire (or referee) is giving you the short end, don't put yourself in a position where they are deciding the game."

Regarding play since the All-Star break, if they actually score runs against what has been a steady diet of mediocre pitchers, not keep hitting into double plays, if the bullpen could actually get people out (putting Foster in a 3-1 game at the time was an interesting call given how badly he's performed this year, but TLR may not have had a choice) maybe the "hosing" by the umpires wouldn't matter.

You can't blame the umpires for putting yourself in that position by lousy play.

Just my opinion.

[Lipman 1]

Except for the second game in New York, the games have too close for the Yankess to pray to see us in the post season.

I'd imagine the Yankees can't wait to see the Sox bullpen come October if they get there given the division they are in.

[BigKlu59]

Yup, we were chin to chin with theses bums as always, but it seemed they came thru in the clutch and we didn’t. Can’t recall so many bags loaded, or men on base situations where we just couldn’t get them in. Then again, our relief pitching left a lot to be desired.

BK59

[Lipman 1]

Yup, we were chin to chin with theses bums as always, but it seemed they came thru in the clutch and we didn’t. Can’t recall so many bags loaded, or men on base situations where we just couldn’t get them in. Then again, our relief pitching left a lot to be desired.

BK59

According to the post game box score the Yankees were 1-15 with runners in scoring position but somehow still won the game.

[BigKlu59]

We’ll bust my buttons… Guess it boiled down to the long ball which we lost once again to these bums.

[StanBahnsen72]

Post All Star break- we're just a very average team- middle of the league in team ERA, team OPS, playing .500 ball- it didn't help that since Robert came back we've lost Rodon, Engel, Garcia to injuries- which has led to some rough match ups- especially Goodwin yesterday. Hernandez did not play well this series- might need a day off.

[LITTLE NELL]

3 GIDP's and almost a 4th didnt help especially the last play of the game, I know it's after the fact but I wish Hernandez hadn't swung at the first pitch in that situation, that's where the game has changed down through the years among other things.

[Dick Allen]

The Yankees were missing a number of key players, both hitting and pitching, yet still managed to win 2 of 3, which is really alarming.

[Lipman 1]

The Yankees were missing a number of key players, both hitting and pitching, yet still managed to win 2 of 3, which is really alarming.

Very true. No Cole, Chapman, Torres and Rizzo. Yet they came two outs away from a sweep.

[34rancher]

What is scary is the As, Rays, and Jays are all next. We need to go at least .500....

[Paulwny]

What is scary is the As, Rays, and Jays are all next. We need to go at least .500....

Why?

[shingo10]

Post All Star break- we're just a very average team- middle of the league in team ERA, team OPS, playing .500 ball- it didn't help that since Robert came back we've lost Rodon, Engel, Garcia to injuries- which has led to some rough match ups- especially Goodwin yesterday. Hernandez did not play well this series- might need a day off.

Terrible game for Hernandez. His head did not seem it.