Red Sox-Twins (August 5 - 7, 2005)

The A.L. East leading Red Sox open a three-game set in Minnesota with Bronson Arroyo (9-6, 4.22) shooting for win No .10. Arroyo is opposed by Brad Radke (6-10, 3.88). WSBK, NESN and WEEI all have the action, starting at 8:10 p.m. On Saturday night (7:10 p.m. on NESN and WEEI), David Wells (9-5, 4.45) squares off with fellow lefty -- and 2004 A.L. Cy Young winner -- Johan Santana (10-6, 3.65). In Sunday afternoon's finale, Tim Wakefield (10-9, 4.23) and Joe Mays (5-6, 4.62) will get the nod for their respective clubs. Sunday's game is a 2:10 p.m. start on NESN and WEEI. As Arroyo and Wells look to join Matt Clement and Wakefield with at least 10-wins, the Boston starting rotation looks good. But a closer look will reveal that the BoSox staff is still rather shaky. All five starters right now have ERA's over 4 -- Arroyo (4.22), Wakefield (4.23), Wells (4.45), Clement (4.67) and Wade Miller (4.78). This statistic is just another reason why the Sox need to get Keith Foulke back to his 2004 form and supplant the bullpen with the likes of Manny DelCarmen (already with Boston), Jon Papelbon and Craig Hansen. All three are hard throwers with the stuff to get hitters to swing-and-miss, a very important skill in the postseason. Fixing the bullpen allows Curt Schilling to get back in the starting rotation -- something the Sox desparately need. He is the only starter with enough mound presence to carry this team through October. Without him, the Red Sox are just another team like the Cleveland Indians of the late '90s -- a great lineup with quality pitching that carries them to October but isn't enough to get the job done in the playoffs.