What's Not To Love?

Wow – I just finished watching the Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 5-3. Watching every game gets me more stressed out than I need in the summer. Closer Jonathan Papelbon looked way too human tonight. More so that what I’ve seen for much of this season.

Off the subject, I’d still like to mention something quickly here. The Red Sox faithful that sit on the 1^st and 3^rd base lines need to relax and get their heads in the game as spectators. I know going to Fenway Park for a Red Sox fan or just a fan of the game is like going to Mecca for a Muslim, but good Allah, come on. I’m sick of seeing dumbass people reach over the wall on fair balls and the Sox getting fan interference called on them. Stop it, you fucking retards. I hate to put down my Sox brethren here, but come on. SS Julio Lugo hit a line shot in the bottom of the 8^th to score 2B Dustin Pedroia but was held up at 2^nd because, yup, that’s right, some moron reached over the wall and stopped the ball from rolling any further. "I almost cawght a wicked haad hit bawl down the 1st baseline, it was wicked awesome." Yeah, way to go asshole. Anyway…

Right now, the Sox are on cruse control and looking every bit a strong playoff squad. Dare I say World Series contender. Once again, see me in August before I christen them worthy for the Series. No team is without their flaws, and Boston has them and they are quite visible. Rather than focus on the bad, I’m going to talk a little bit tonight about the good. So far against AL Central opponents, the American League’s best division, the Sox are 8-3 on the year. They opened up the season 2-1 against the Kansas City Royals on the road, traveled to Minnesota and took two of three from the Twins, cooled off the hot (at the time) Detroit Tigers besting them three out of four games at Fenway Park, and tonight stopped Cleveland cold and will position themselves for taking the first series against four out of five teams in the Central. Not a bad resume for the first third of the season. To Cleveland’s credit they fought the entire game and did not give up, placing the tying run in the top of the 9^th in scoring position.

The Sox are going to wrap up the month of May with a double digit lead on whomever decides they want second place more in the AL East between Baltimore and Toronto. They are also currently enjoying a 13 game lead on the New York Yankees. Believe me, it's as much fun to type as it is to say out loud. The Yanks travel up I-95 (probably not, I’m sure opting for a plane) this weekend for a series at Fenway. Let’s consider something here for a moment. The Sox and Yankees will meet a total of 18 times this season. By the end of the first weekend in June the two teams will have played 12 times already. The two won’t see each other until the end of August in the Bronx and finally for the last time this season at Fenway in the middle of September. What does that mean, you ask? It probably means no seven game sweeps or heartbreaks in August. At least not at the hands of the Yankees.

" Things I’m Liking"

-Kevin Youkilis is coming off an injury plagued 2006 with a foot infection and looking absolutely stunning, especially the past two weeks. I wouldn’t predict him competing for the batting title at the end of the year, but he isn’t showing any signs of slowing down either. Also, I’ll take any player stepping up and having a hot streak at different points in the season to have at least one consistent fill in the blank player batting well for the entire duration of ’07. The past seven games Youk is batting .429 with a homer and five batted in. His run production isn’t what he’s providing however, it’s the fact that he gets on base all the Goddamn time for Papi or Manny or even Mike Lowell to drive him in. He’s scored seven times in seven days, which is helping out a lot. His inside the park home run tonight was pretty damn cool too.

-Mike Lowell had been known as “throw in Lowell” in his career including his inclusion with the Josh Beckett trade with the Florida Marlins. With A-Rod in a lame duck season with New York and that fact being well known from February, many people thought the Sox would make another run at the end of the season for the talented (yet dirty asshole-like) Rodriguez, no doubt opting for free agency. Now that Lowell is stepping up and becoming an invaluable asset to the team, I’m guessing Luccino and Epstein won’t go dipping into the expense budget for an overpriced A-Rod. Let’s hope anyway. His bat isn’t quite as hot as Youk’s, but he’s driving in as many runs Ortiz, and he’s coming up big when the Sox need him. See this past weekend against the Rangers.

-Beckett coming back tomorrow night will add that extra oomph that the starting rotation has been lacking since Mother’s Day when he injured his middle finger on his right hand (the one he throws with). He’s got a solid chance to obtain an 8-0 record tomorrow night against 1-4 Jeremy Sowers.

-As much as I rag on 5^th day starter Julian Tavarez, I’d have to say that I really like the guy. He’s got a great attitude with the media, the clubhouse loves him, and he gets wrapped up in the game when he’s pitching. Even if it does get a little annoying when he’s pointing at force-outs from the mound. He came within a few hits of pulling within .500 on the year after starting out 1-4. Instead, he got an “atta boy” and Joel Pinero ended up getting the win pitching in an inning and 2/3 with no runs. Maybe next time this weekend.

So, with the first two months almost in the books the Sox are no doubt the most consistent team in the majors. Now, before you go booking your October flights to Logan International, here is what is on tap for June. After the Yankees series this weekend the Sox travel out west for a seven game trip, which includes four out in Oakland. For those that didn’t know, the Sox don’t play that well on the coast. Most teams from the AL East don’t. At least to my recollection. Next up is a brief home stand against NL opponents “suddenly and unexpectedly hot” Colorado and struggling San Francisco. Sure, there will be a media circus following Bonds as he chases Aaron, but Boston is used to it. Also, I just counted it off and don’t expect to see Schilling and Bonds face off in Boston. Then it’s off to the friendly skies for a nine game roadie against Atlanta, San Diego, and Seattle all of whom play very well at home. To close the first half they also spend a weekend in D-Town against the Tigers. Boston has a tough road in June and it will no doubt test their meddle and their worth.