They have a few great hitters, but some black holes in the lineup too. Once the big slugging guys went into slumps that was it. It’s like they can only score if they’re hitting solo homers right now.
The starting pitching has felt like smoke and mirrors to me since the crackdown on the tack. Richards hot knocked out of the rotation and everyone else took steps back. The bullpen and Barnes have come back to earth. I mean they went from clicking on all cylinders to none at all. They seem to be in their heads as well. They need guys like Ortiz and Manny that don’t get caught up in the streaks and just keep doing their thing.
This isn’t chicken and beer though. That 2011 team had a ton of talent. This one was a good story that has come back to reality.