If the saying "to err is human," is true, the 2004 Red Sox must be super-human. The Red Sox have committed 67 errors and have allowed 60 unearned runs. The have the second worst defense in the entire Major Leagues, only Detroit is worse. Horrible. ESPN.com has a list of Boston's worst stats in what they call the Boston 'E' party .

Boston is giving these games away. If it's close, beware. The New York Post reports Bosox blunders pave the way for yanks again. The New York Times writes Yankees tighten hold, Sox lose grip. In fact, most Web sites I've seen have reported the Sox have lost their grip. What grip? Did they ever have their hands around this thing? The team has been struggling with injuries. And the errors continue to add to the woes.

I do not blame David Ortiz. He should not be playing first (unless in NL parks). He's the everyday DH and a very good one at that. He's leading the AL in home runs (21) and RBI (75). These are MVP numbers. Why he is not an All Star candidate, I'll never know. Projo.com says Numbers not enogh for Ortiz. But more on that in a later entry.

Manager Terry Francona is to blame.

He's the one who sets the lineup. Francona felt it was important to have Trot Nixon in the lineup, rather than have adequate defense at first. Trot is injured and couldn't play right field. Heck, he couldn't even run the base paths with any vigor. So, why risk further injury by allowing him to bat? It simply doesn't make sense.

The Boston Globe's Dan Shaunessey writes this one hurts more than others. He may be right. Tuesday's game was appalling. Wednesday's game was crushing.

The Red Sox have got to find some way to turn it around. SICNN.com's Tom Verducci to recover the answers must come internally.

NorthJersey.com reports that the Red Sox resigned to fate. And the New York Times' William C. Rohden gets cute in his article, "Red Sox in the chase, the wild-card chase". Hey guys, there is no need to give up yet; there's still a lot of baseball left.

While according to the Boston Herald, Wakefield deprived of hero status, I doubt very much Pedro will have the same problem. He takes the mound in tonight series finale. ESPN's Eric Neel has "penned" Pedro as one of the best. With Pedro on the mound it will feel like a post season game.

The New York Post's columnist Mike Vaccaro thinks last night's game resembled a fall classic in his article "It's October in June in Bronx". Seeing Wakefield on the mound in Yankee Stadium did indeed bring back memories of the ALCS. Fond they were not. It was eerie. Once Wakefield was relieved of his starting duties, let's just say I was not relieved.

If the ship can't right itself, Boston may have to trade for some better pitching and defense. ESPN report that having Shoppach in the minors gives the Red Sox some options. I don't want options. I want some decisions and results.

Reader comments: After watching the Red Sox fall to 7 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the AL East and one game behind the Oakland A's in the wild card, do you still feel confident the Boston can make the playoffs?

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