Mind The Gap

Who would have thought that the Sox would be looking down the barrel of a 95-100 win season after the disastrous ending to the 2011 season and the 93 loss debacle of a season in 2012?  Not many in Red Sox Nation, I can assure you of that!  Even those, like myself, who are hopeless, card-carrying optimists, could have fathomed such a turn around.  At least not with a straight face!  The Red Sox brass should be commended for going back to the recipe that brought them 2 World Series Championships in 2004 & 2007.

And This Jimmy, Don’t forget this!

During one off season, they put together a gritty, resilient team that plays with passion and is full of character, aka “Jr. Idiots.”  They may not be as offbeat as that “Band of Idiots” from 2004, but they aren’t far behind, in both character and grit and hopefully, in ultimate success as well.  That “idiot” or character quality is what allows them to play for each other, to never panic and to always focus on that next pitch, next inning or next game rather than dwell on a crushing defeat.  I recently saw a simple, yet perfect description of these 2013 Red Sox on Facebook, “Blood, Sweat and Beards!”  True that!

The latest surge by the Red Sox has increased their lead over second place Rays from mere percentage points just 2 weeks ago to as many as 9.5 games with less than 20 games to play.  We’ve seen a similar lead over the Rays in September that ended disastrously for the Sox (see 2011) but this is a totally different team with drastically different grit and character.  I don’t see a repeat of 2011 any time soon; not with this group of throwback players. Instead, I see this as an opportunity for the Sox to fine tune things while finding opportunities to rest key players down the stretch to make sure everyone is at their optimal performance level come playoff time.   They simply need to “Mind the Gap!”

Mind the gap? Yes, ‘Mind the gap!’  It’s most well known as a British term that refers to watching one’s step between the gap between the train and the platform as one enters or exits the train, an apparently dangerous endeavor at some stations in England. It’s actually become a big part of the British culture, to ‘mind the gap.’   But I also have heard it used long ago in reference to keeping a consistent gap and pace on the highway between your car and the car ahead or behind you.  I also heard it used by a local stock car racer, referring to his handling a big lead down the stretch. It’s a term that I have used often then when driving on the highway, usually accompanied by a few well-chosen ‘Bawston’ superlatives.

But today, I find this term very apropos when talking about how I feel the Red Sox should approach the final few weeks down the stretch!  “Mind the Gap!”  Note: The 2011 Red Sox did NOT ‘Mind the Gap’ down the stretch and not only fell through the gap between the train and platform and onto the tracks below, but they were then unceremoniously run over by a slew of trains, cars, trucks and even a tricycle before ultimately being kicked in the ass for good measure by that little guy in suspenders who sweeps up the platform late at night! (Whew!  I finally got that out of my system!)

2011 Red Sox – Personified

Nothing is over and I am not advocating that the Red Sox coast in any way!  Au contraire, I think they should keep the pedal to the metal in order to stay sharp as the playoffs approach.  They just need to do it wisely. I think they should manage their pitcher’s innings, pitch counts, etc., as well as managing everyday player’s overall innings down the stretch, so long as they can do it while likewise managing their lead while continuing to play consistent baseball.  It’s a win-win situation because not only will they have the opportunity to keep their players fresh heading into the playoffs, but it creates an opportunity for other players to step up while getting additional playing time to help them get sharp and to stay sharp.  It will also allow them to set up their rotation heading into the post-season as well as their bullpen. Especially their bullpen, where set-up roles still need to be ironed out.

The Sox, like most teams this time of year, have a few players that are nursing bumps and bruises and some veteran players that would benefit from some timely rest here and there going into the playoffs.  They simply need to pick their spots wisely and need to, at the very least, maintain their (comfortable) distance between themselves and their chasers, be it Tampa, NY or Baltimore.   In other words, ‘mind the gap,’ just like Jimmy Johnson, Carl Edwards or Jeff Gordon [and someday soon Danica! ] might do when contentedly leading a NASCAR race with mere laps to go. Keep a comfortable cushion between themselves and the  ‘cars behind them, allowing themselves to conserve fuel down the stretch without jeopardizing their lead or their focus…and without running out of gas!   That’s the task at hand for these Red Sox; To Mind the gap to ensure that they have plenty in the tank.  Then let the real chase begin!

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