By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

OAKLAND, Calif — The Sox are on a pace to lose 86 games, which hasn’t happened since 1992. Bobby Valentine was asked what his expectations were for the final month of the season.

“Good play,” he said. “Hoping for guys to keep building the individual statistics and hope that they collectively build the team statistics. I think we’re going to win a lot of games this last month.”

Valentine was asked why he believes that, given the way the team has played to date.

“Why shouldn’t I think that?” he said. “I’m the manager of the team and we get paid to play and win and we’re going to win.”

Meanwhile:

• Scott Podsednik is hitting third. That seemed a little unusual, so Valentine was asked about it.

“Just a mistake,” Valentine said. “Is that what it says on the lineup? ... Just switch it up. Who knows, maybe it will look good? Haven’t seen it."

Nobody has ever seen it. In 902 previous career starts, Podsednik has never hit third before.

• Red Sox starters have a 5.00 ERA, one of the worst in baseball. But Valentine said he isn’t planning on any changes to the rotation.

"No," he said. "Have any suggestions?"

Aaron Cook, who gave up six runs in 2.2 innings on Friday, remains scheduled to face the Mariners on Wednesday. Cook is is 1-7 with a 5.67 ERA in his last 10 starts.

• Dustin Pedroia has 995 hits. He would be the 31st player in Sox history to reach 1,000. … Saturday is the five-year anniversary of Clay Buchholz’s no-hitter against Baltimore. … The Sox were 9-20 in August despite leading the majors with 290 hits and ranking fourth in the American League with 139 runs. Their pitchers had a 5.54 ERA in August. That may have had something to do with it.