McAdam On Toucher & Rich: Red Sox April Struggles Are Widespread
BOSTON (CBS) - Quite frankly, the Red Sox haven't been doing anything well so far this season. Their starting pitchers are struggling, the bats are ice-cold, and they're playing poor defense to boot.
Comcast Sportsnet New England's Sean McAdam joined Toucher & Rich on Friday morning, in the wake of the Red Sox' ugly 14-5 loss to the Yankees Thursday night, offering his take on the myriad of problems plaguing the last place ball club.
The conversation kicked off with the defense, as Boston had more errors (5), than hits Thursday night. Xander Bogaerts' difficulty playing balls at shortstop have become apparent. However, McAdam rationalized that development in the field is necessary for the young infielder.
"There are going to be growing pains for a 21-year-old playing shortstop at the big league level for the first time," said McAdam, adding that mistakes like his first inning blunder are magnified in games against New York.
The conversation then shifted to starting pitching, and while McAdam believes it's too early to panic, he did concede that their inconsistency is troubling.
The poster boy for that inconsistency is Thursday night's starter, Felix Dubront, who has failed to get out of the third inning twice in his first five starts.
McAdam thinks that part of his struggles are due to his lack of focus on the mound. Brett Gardner went to steal a base Thursday night, and could have walked to second base because Dubront was holding him on so poorly. McAdam believes the Sox starters need to be more consistent if they want to be successful.
In terms of offense, the Red Sox beat writer thinks that lack of a leadoff hitter is what is hampering the team the most.
He believes the team is really missing Jacoby Ellsbury at the top of the order. McAdam pointed out that Ellsbury was great at getting on base and then being disruptive in the basebath, making it easier on the batters behind him. McAdam doesn't feel that anyone has been able to fill his shoes yet.
The guys also talked about AJ Pierzynski and David Ross, Mike Carp's knuckleball, and what it's like to be in the press box during a blowout like last night's.
You can listen to the entire interview here:
Sean McAdam On Sox Struggles
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