Nation Gripped By Crisis Of Confidence

Citizen Pain

Sure, it's early. Sure, the Evil Ones are also 0-3. Nevertheless, yesterday's shocking Easter Sunday loss in Detroit puts into sharp relief what many of us have feared for a while: this team is deeply flawed. From a starting rotation that features exactly one sure thing to a bullpen that can't salvage multi-run leads to a lineup that has 'quadruple A' written all over it—your Carmine Hose are in crisis.

They may gather themselves and reel off ten straight wins—but would you bet your house on it? Think about it for a moment. As many of us delve into the bizarro world of fantasy baseball, how would you feel if you drafted an outfield of Sweeney, Ross, McDonald, and Ellsbury? You'd be looking to unload three of them, right? But this is our actual MLB representative from Beantown—not a fantasy squad.

You've got to think that BenCher and Bobby V. are thinking radical thoughts right about now. After last year's debacle, they can't let things drift too much early on. Move Bard to the closer role? Put Aceves back in the rotation? Bring up Iglesias to solidify the defense? Trade for more starting and relief pitching? Release somebody? Welcome to the Fenway Park Centennial Celebration.