Schilling: I don't think Sox will make playoffs

Former Red Sox pitcher and current ESPN analyst Curt Schilling joined Dennis & Callahan Tuesday morning to discuss the Red Sox’ free fall, what it’s like to play through pain and whether he thinks Boston will make the postseason or not. 

“It’s kind of crashing down around them,” Schilling said of the Red Sox. “Somebody asked me last night about them making the playoffs and I said, ‘You know how I feel about these guys, you know how I feel about Terry … I don’t want them to make the playoffs because I don’t think they have a chance to go anywhere.’” 

Boston is 5-14 in the September and has seen its lead in the wild card over the Rays go from nine games to just two games since the beginning of the month. 

Asked if he thought Boston will make the playoffs despite its struggles, Schilling was honest. 

“I don’t think they’re going to make it,” Schilling said. “I think there’s been a huge momentum shift and I can see Tampa winning out.” 

Following are more highlights from the conversation. To hear the interview, go to the Dennis & Callahan audio on demand page [1]. 

On struggling pitcher John Lackey: “His career numbers are what they are. If you go back and look at his career numbers in Anaheim, he was a guy who gave up a lot of hits. He was a guy who didn’t have great command. He walked guys and gave up hits. Fortunately for him, he played in a division that wasn’t devastatingly offensive like the AL East. … You can argue that he’s had some bad luck here and there, but the fact of the matter is, that’s the pitcher that they paid for.” 

On Carl Crawford being held out of Monday’s doubleheader and playing through pain: “Carl Crawford is not a soft player. I don’t know if he’s struggling mentally and having issues … this guy is a gamer and a competitor and a winner. … You can’t question a player’s toughness. You have to be in the clubhouse. You have to understand how hard it is to [play through pain].”

On if Boston will resign both David Ortiz: “I think David has bought himself at least another year. I think if he wants a multiyear deal and they can’t come to some agreement, I think that would be a stumbling block. I think from a clubhouse perspective, from a media perspective, I think David is still the player he was before. He’s got that presence, that charisma. Don’t underestimate the impact has that David has on Latino players, which is a big deal.”

For more, visit the Red Sox page at weei.com/redsox. [2]