What I called a crucial stretch is over. The Sox went 5-2 over those last seven games. I'm not complaining but if we didn't give that last game of the series to the Yanks, we would have been 6-1. With the Rays on absolute fire, our best bet may be to hold onto the wild card.
This means not rushing Drew (just got an epidural), Lowell (taking bp today), Beckett (scheduled to start on Friday), Casey (neck getting better) and Youkilis (day to day with the flu) back into action before they are ready. The problem with this is a three game lead in the loss column over Minnesota is not a done deal. The remaining schedule definitely favors the Red Sox. The Twins, because of some meaningless convention in the dome, are finishing up a road trip. They still have thirteen road games remaining. While the Sox play in Fenway for seventeen of their last twenty-six games.
We get Baltimore for three starting on Monday and then after an off day Thursday travel to Texas for three. This two teams are very similar in the fact that they are not strong on the mound but have some serious offensive weapons. The Sox should score some runs but will have to pitch well.
Let's be conservative and hope for a 4-2 week. Asking the team to sweep one of these teams may be too much to ask when considering the amount of injuries the club is trying to overcome.
A couple of player notes:
Jacoby Ellsbury is starting to get it going. He is stealing bases again after being in a drought. This is some seriously good news.
Dustin Predrioa continues to amaze. Ozzie Guillen said he intentionally walked Big Brown's jockey. Good stuff. As far as batting him fourth, neat idea but let's get Youk back.
Manny Delcarmen has looked dominant of late. This could be a good sign. I'm still not sold.
Mark Kotsay has looked refreshed since his arrival. I like him more than Brandon Moss. I did not realize he was this good.
Jed Lowrie has been solid offensively but I'm very impressed with his defense at both third and shortstop. He makes all the routine plays.
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