Looking Up

When the Toronto Blue Jays came to town with a 3.5 game lead over the Boston Red Sox, it would be fair to characterize the first meeting of the two teams this season as surprisingly critical. One team was going to make a statement and thus far, it has been the Red Sox speaking the loudest.

In light of David Ortiz' home run last night, I thought it was a good opportunity to look at the collection of things working in the Red Sox favor since returning East and get a pulse from "all you FireBrandamaniacs" out there.

5/20: Calling all Papi’s

Even though the Papi video tribute didn't bring back the old Papi (it was a lefty pitching...so a break is called for), a win begets a little more video mojo action. Too bad the Jays are throwing another lefty again tonight.

BOS 2, TOR 1: Dealin

At first glance, the A.L. East division leading Toronto Blue Jays were less than impressive. Tim Wakefield, however, couldn't have been more so.

LAA 5, BOS 4: Stranded

If leaving 12 men on base isn't any indication that David Ortiz needs to be moved down in the lineup, well then, what is?

5/14: Matinee Performance

With Buchholz putting on the pressure, every Penny start is either an audition for the Red Sox or potential trade partners. Let's lock down another series.

LAA 8, BOS 4: Taken away

Tim Wakefield had lost 5 straight road games to the Los Angeles Angels. He looked well on his way to breaking that streak with a four run lead heading into the bottom of the third. Mike Napoli made sure Wakefield's streak extended to six games with one swing of the bat.

Are the Sox starters as bad as they seem?

At what point can the Red Sox wait to address their AL-worst starting corps (or should I say corpse?), second-last in the bigs with a 5.81 ERA? Even the Yankees are faring better with a 5.64 ERA.

It's a testament to how good the offense and bullpen is that the Sox are hanging around first place. Once the starters start regressing to the norm, the club will be that much more stronger.

How much is a Penny worth?

While they haven't shown the "stuff" that was expected of them this season thus far, the Red Sox do have rotational depth. With Daisuke Matsuzaka on his way back to the big club and Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden in the minor leagues, decisions regarding the starting five and top alternates will soon be made.

As injuries throughout the infield (Pedroia, Youkilis, Lowrie) have started to take their toll on the Red Sox this season, the "surplus" in the starting rotation may soon be required to yield some reinforcements.

5/8: Weekend Showdown

Tonight begins an important series in the budding rivalry between these two organizations. The Rays are threatening to take a serious mental edge over the Red Sox with a series victory. The Red Sox would love nothing more than a sweep to establish that the AL East still goes through Fenway Park. And so it begins.

BOS 13, CLE 3: Outburst

Rocco Baldelli singled home two runs in the bottom of the sixth for the Red Sox giving them a 4-2 lead. For Boston, it was all the run support they needed but it didn't stop there.