Pundits praised the Red Sox pitching depth before the season, but, despite their recent success, the vaunted staff has been disappointing.

John Lester has stunk with a 5.11 ERA, a 1.46 WHIP and 7 home runs allowed (tied for second in the AL). Expected ace Josh Beckett has been worse with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.81 WHIP, and that is mitigated by a last night’s quality start against the Yankees.

The only greater insult to the Red Sox uniform than Brad Penny’s physique has been his performance, with a 7.69 ERA, a 1.82 WHIP and a 14-13 SO-BB ratio.

Then, of course, there is the WBC-spoiled train-wreck that is Daisuke Matuszaka.

Boston’s stopper thus far, worryingly, has been Tim Wakefield. The notoriously streaky knuckleballer has a 2.91 ERA and has allowed just one home run in 34 IP. It’s a fairly safe bet the 42-year-old does not maintain this pace.

The bullpen has absolved many sins. Ramirez and Delcarmen combined have allowed just two runs in 29 2/3 IP. Jonathan Papelbon has miraculously been effective despite throwing just one pitch. But, they eventually will regress to average.

The Sox have John Smoltz strengthening in reserve and Clay Buchholz waiting in AAA, but they will, at some point, need the front of the rotation to be a factor.

Red Sox fans should enjoy their fifth unanswered win against the pinstriped cretins, but should not be complacent. Five of their wins have come against the Yankees. How will they fare against real teams?