Part of the charm of baseball is the schedule. You can’t fake it over 162 games. It’s like the Southeastern Conference in football. Win that league, and you’re good regardless of ranking, points allowed or tailgate ribs lost in the barbecue coals.
The frustration comes from the roster. It isn’t frozen in the summer. So a team that looks vulnerable in June can look completely different Aug. 1.
Which brings us to the Red Sox.
They will invade Coors Field this week. If there were ever a series for Rockies fans to take personally, this would be it. The way Boston boosters overran Denver during the 2007 World Series was embarrassing. You can’t keep them from buying tickets, but you can drown out their cheers (though applause for local kid Darnell McDonald is welcome).
Back to the point. The Red Sox have pushed toward first place in the American League East despite a journeymen outfield. Mike Cameron, Jacoby Ellsbury and J.D. Drew have been nothing more than a rumor this season.
Yet, Boston has survived. And the Yankees and Rays must feel a tinge of remorse for not stepping on its throat when they had the chance. The Red Sox will bring in reinforcements next month. The issue isn’t who, but how many?
Third baseman Mike Lowell will likely be traded, possibly for a bullpen arm. And the Red Sox are keeping an eye peeled for a future catcher, and it’s an open secret that they have interest in Chris Iannetta (the Rangers are watching him as well).
Boston could go a number of ways, though adding relievers is usually the easiest thing to accomplish midseason. (Forget landing San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez. He’s not moving with the Padres entrenched in first place.)
The Red Sox, stealing from the Yankees’ blueprint two winters ago, have been reshaped around pitching and defense. John Lackey, after a difficult start, has regained his footing. Jon Lester, one of the game’s best left-handers, starts Tuesday in his first appearance on Blake Street since winning the Game 4 clincher. And Clay Buchholz is blossoming into one of the game’s top young arms.
The Red Sox are good. Not great. Not yet anyway. Draw conclusions at your own risk, because this glimpse doesn’t take into account their upcoming nip-and-tuck.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
