The fact that the Red Sox are in first-place is truly astounding considering the condition of its pitching staff.

First you're without David Wells, who I do not like. But that fifth spot has been a gaping hole. Lenny DiNardo is not the answer. Now, it looks as though Wells is gone again, says the Boston Globe.

Add another hole at the fourth position of the rotation. Matt Clement has not been the same since he was hit a year ago. And he has been hit again, though according to Courant.com, he's blaming his poor pitching on the injury. He may have the gusto to head to the mound but by the time the opponents get through the lineup, they have him figured out. Is he using the same pitching sequence? I don't know, but batters are tagging him from the fourth inning on.

Here are his numbers by innings (ESPN): 1-3 .256; .289 4-6; 7-9 .556 (He's only pitched seven innings twice this year). His days have got to be numbered. It may be time to place him in the pen, where they could use the help.

That brings me to the bullpen, where there are no bulls. In fact, the one constant (Mike Timlin) is gone on the DL with a tired arm. Used too much? Probably - considering the lack of confidence in the other staff members.

If I told you that Doug Mirabelli had one passed-ball and Tim Wakefield started the game for the Sox, you would probably think that ws pretty good. But in fact, it is even better than that. That passed ball came when Julian Tavarez was on the mound. Tavarez ended up with a extremely cheap save on Sunday after allowing runners to score - granted they weren't his. He's looked horrible. When you add his questionable attitude, it becomes worse.

After being demoted from the closer's role, Keith Foulke started to put it together, or so I thought. His verbal altercation with a fan this weekend after being pulled from the mound, was yet another indicator that he's not got his head on too straight.

Rudy Seanez is ruining my favorite movie (Rudy). Everytime I see him head to the mound I cringe. When he's on, it's not so bad. But when he's bad, he's very bad.

The Red Sox also need some assurances in case the meat of the rotation should suffer injury. Curt Schilling has been inconsistant. Josh Beckett is back on track, though his blister problems could return at any moment.

How are they going to fill the gaps? A trade has got to be lingering, but who would the Sox part with and what would they get in return? Besides the Red Sox have got to hold out until they know whether or not Roger Clemens is returning to Boston.

If not, look for the Sox to entertain other ideas. Rumor has it Atlanta's Tim Hudson, Washington's Livan Hernandez and the Marlins' Dontrelle Willis may eventually be available. Even the Angels' Jeff Weaver may be on the trade block when Bartolo Colon returns from the DL.

Of the four Hudson and Willis are the most attractive. Willis, though struggling this year, is only 25 and could be a just what the doctor ordered for years to come.

All in all I'm worried. The Sox need to address this need and quickly. The only thing that is helping them is the fact that Baltimore is horrible; Tampa Bay not much better; New York has a number of injuries and Toronto has not yet been able to put it all together. But if the red Sox do not win this division, it will be really hard to get into the playoffs, I suspect.

I finally got around to reading some interesting fodder for all you Red ox historians. ESPN's Jayson Stark talks with Larry Andersen, remember him? about Jeff Bagwell's possible retirement.

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