Now after losing four of their last five games, the Red Sox have fallen to second place. Their 11-10 record doesn't show the true potential of the team.

Listening to "The Jab" (WJAB) on the way to work today, one would think this Boston team was the worst in the league. The topic: Mark Bellhorn's worth. Frank Fixaris was arguing for Bellhorn's release. At one point, calling him a "bum."

Making Bellhorn a scape goat is strange and unjust. In 2004, Bellhorn was one of the most productive second basemen in the American League: ranking first in on-base-percentage, first in walks, first in OPS, third in RBIs, second in runs and third in slugging percentage. His fielding was average.

People gripe about his strikeouts but at $2.7 million he is an inexpensive asset. Besides without his timely hitting in the World Series, fans would have little to cheer about.

As I predicted in a pre-season rant, David Wells is injured. He has been placed on the 15-day DL with a sprained ankle. According to Reuters, he could be out six weeks.

I do not wish injuries on anyone. His hole in the rotation will at least for the moment be noticable. However considering his age and his conditioning, the injury doesn't surprise me.

The injury should delay Bronson Arroyo's move to the pen. Wade Miller will be ready soon and will see the starting rotation I would prefer: Schilling, Clement, Wakefield, W. Miller and Bronson Arroyo (not necessarily in that order).

I'm a big Wade Miller fan and hope that his rehab moves along quickly - the Sox could use the help.

Wells' injury also opened the door for another one of my favorites - Lenny DiNardo, who joined the team Wednesday. He should, in his own right, help the bullpen.

It is most surprising that the bullpen is in the state that it is in. The Sox bullpen should be one of, if not "the", best in the league. Matt Mantei, John Halama, Mike Myers, Alan Embree, Mike Timlin and Keith Foulke are tremendous/above average pitchers. If this continues, there may have to be a shake-up.

Again the Sox brought Keith Foulke into the game too early. The Boston Herald calls Clement and Foulke's debacle a "Staff Infection"

Although, as The Jab's Shoe would say, "this is what was advertised" when he was with the A's, it may be time to make him a one-inning closer. Two years have passed, the Sox pen is better? than Oakland's was and the dimensions of Fenway Park couldn't be more different than the Coliseum.

One other factor should not be overlooked: the schedule this year pitted the Sox in series against their divisional rivals more than once. They have had two series versus the Orioles, Devil Rays and Yankees - making up all 23 games thus far. Opposing teams may be seeing these guys too much, too early.

It's early. The Sox will heat up as the temperatures increase.

E-mail this entry to a friend