The Backseat GM's Guide To Postseason Success: Pt 3

I'm confused. Can someone please tell me what the hell has happened to Josh Beckett?

Everyone in the Sox organization has been saying that Beckett is healthy, and pitching coach Dave Magadan has been blaming Beckett's loss in velocity and explosion of home runs on a "mechanical problem." Whatever the reason, the Sox ace hasn't won since August 12, surrendering 27 runs and 12 homers (five against the Yankees) in that span. Beckett was a legitimate contender for the AL Cy Young Award going into August, but any chances of winning have since fallen by the wayside.

Beck pitched slightly better last night, but still took the loss after struggling and giving up three runs in the third inning. Hideki Okajima didn't fare any better, giving away two more runs in his inning of relief. Beckett and Okie are supposed to be two of our most consistent hurlers; if they continue to have issues keeping the ball in the park and holding crappy offensive teams within striking distance, then the pitching staff needs immediate help.

1. Adam Mills
Help may come in the form of Mills, a 24-year-old starter from Maryland who has rocketed through the Sox farm system since being drafted in the eighth round in 2007. The righty has posted a 3:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and held opponents to a .286 batting average with Portland (AA) and Pawtucket (AAA) this year; the logical next stop for Mills is Fenway.

While Mills' pitches have been described as average, he possesses impeccable control and composure on the mound. His 88-mph fastball may not overpower many batters, but it becomes devastating when mixed with his changeup; watching him on the mound should remind fans of Pedro Martinez' recent work.

The only strike against Mills is his age (or lack thereof). He has only been a professional ballplayer for two full years, and wasn't even promoted to AAA until August 12 of this year. Still, anyone who can work his way through one of baseball's best farm systems in just over two years deserves to be considered by the Major League club in September. He may be the least likely of my Backseat GM players to make the team this year, but Adam Mills will be a household name in Sox Nation very soon.

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One final thought: two former Sox, Martinez and John Smoltz, will face each other in tonight's Philadelphia-St. Louis matchup. I've loved Pedro for years, and as horrendous as Smoltzy was during his stint with the Sox earlier this year (2-5 with an 8.33 ERA over eight starts), it's hard not to root for the guy. It'll be interesting to see which future Hall-of-Famer wins the Battle of the Geriatrics tonight.