When is it time for the Boston Red Sox to panic? After losing five of their first six games, they are off to another slow start.
It’s nothing new. Boston started 0-6 in 2011 and was 20 games above .500 by the All-Star break. But then came the collapse; the Red Sox fell out of the playoffs after going 7-20 in September.
The way last season ended has put more emphasis on the start of this season.
In the past, Boston has been able to count on Josh Beckett in big-game situations.
But when the Red Sox desperately needed a win down the stretch last year, Beckett allowed 12 runs in his final two starts — both losses to the last-place Orioles.
In his first start of 2012, Beckett allowed seven runs in 42?3 innings in a loss to the Tigers.
The right-hander is back on the mound Friday, pitching against David Price and the Rays. It may just be the seventh game of the season, but the Red Sox need their big-game pitcher back.
– Jeffrey Tomik
