Heading into the final month of baseball, the Red Sox are eight games out of first place in the AL East and seven games out of the Wild Card.  Simple math does not bode well for a Boston post-season appearance.  

Many in Red Sox Nation today will be shelving their Ortiz jersey for a Brady #12.  They might be right.  For me, until they're mathmatically eliminated, I'll stay strong supporting the team.  Call me naive, a fanboy, a moron...that's fine.  Until the math proves otherwise, I'm hanging on.

Last night was disappointing.

Coming into the season, there were high expectations for this Red Sox team.  Injuries are part of the game but no one could have foreseen the amount of injuries Boston would have to deal with.  Other fan bases can mock this point and call it an excuse but if you actually look at the number of players hurt, what their role on the team was and the amount of time they were off the field, it's pretty incredible.

Injuries did not play a part in that loss last night.

The starting pitching, current starting line-up and bullpen for the Red Sox are better than any combination Baltimore can put on the field.  Case closed.  When chasing a postseason spot behind the two best teams in baseball, you can't lose that game last night.  No one in that locker room could have been happy with that performance.

Like last night, Boston has blown a lot of games against lower-tiered teams where they had multiple chances to put a game away with a lead, or come from behind when trailing late...and couldn't get it done.  

The Red Sox had chances in several innings to drive in runners in scoring position and couldn't do it...against Baltimore.  Another crucial defensive error (Scutaro!) led to runs and the bullpen was shaky and also gave up runs.  Look back on the season, there are more games like this against bad teams then there should be even with the decimated roster.

You can point to injuries as a main problem for the Red Sox this season and while that has a lot to do with it games like last night have not helped their cause. I'll be watching tonight though, hoping for a win, is there anyone with me?