Monday Links

Photo by Kelly O’Connor of sittingstill.smugmug.com

Aside from nearly getting no-hit by Yu Darvish on Friday night, the Red Sox 3 game series in Texas was another step in the right direction. Jon Lester took the hill for Boston on Saturday, and allowed 3 runs over 7 innings of work. In support of Lester, Shane Victorino collected 3 hits and 4 rbi, while David Ortiz belted his seventh home run of the season. Similarly, on Sunday the Red Sox back John Lackey’s 7 inning effort by tallying 5 runs on 8 hits. With the series win the Red Sox improve their record to 19-18, which marks their first time since April 3rd that Boston holds a record over .500.

• From 2008-2013, Jacoby Ellsbury was the driving force behind the Red Sox running attack, amassing over 230 stolen bags while only being caught 46 times. But now that Ellsbury dons pinstripes, the Red Sox have no one to head the speed department, and might ditch the running game all together. (A red light for Red Sox base-stealers)

• Despite what the box scores tell you, Yu Darvish’s no-hit bid was spoiled before David Ortiz 9th inning, two out base knock. In actuality, Ortiz’ 7th inning bloop that fell between two Rangers fielders should have been ruled a hit, but was instead deemed an error. (Did Ortiz break up Yu’s no-hit bid twice?)

• For fans and players alike, there is nothing worse than a pitcher that takes forever between pitches. Therefore under the request of A.J. Pierzynski, Red Sox hurlers have been encouraged to “keep the game moving.”(A.J. Pierzynski’s effect on Boston Red Sox pitching staff)

• To Red Sox and Yankees fans, the battle between Boston and New York will always be a part of our baseball lives. But there’s no denying that the rivalry between these two great baseball cities has cooled off recently. Therefore, it’s time to give some new, or re-kindling rivalries their chance in the spotlight. (Forget Red Sox/Yankees. These are the best rivalries in baseball)

• In any sport, a blow to the head can mean the end of a players career, but for Red Sox pitching prospect Brian Johnson, his career is just getting started. After being slammed in the face by a line drive in 2012, the left hander has returned to the mound and has shown the stuff that made him the 31st overall pick in the 2012 draft. (Sea Dogs pitcher’s fear is gone but potential remains)

• The amount of pitchers undergoing Tommy John surgery these days has reached an alarming rate. From young pitchers, to established veterans, no one can seem to keep themselves from going under the knife. But although the procedure sidelines pitchers for a whole season, it’s beneficial to their long term career and overall health of their elbow. (Heightened awareness driving significant increase in Tommy John surgeries)

• Tweet of the weekend: When you pitch as good as John Lackey has, you can wear whatever hat you want.