Red Sox take another one from the awful Texas Rangers, and open up an 11.5 game lead over the Yankees....I know Clemens isn't back yet, but is the AL East all but wrapped up already?

Red Sox take another one from the awful Texas Rangers, and open up an 11.5 game lead over the Yankees....I know Clemens isn't back yet, but is the AL East all but wrapped up already?

 

I wouldn't say it's all but wrapped up but the signs are encouraging. We heard a lot from Yankee fans about it only being April and a 6 1/2 game lead was nothing since they'd be getting Wang, Mussina and Matsui back. Well it'll be June in a couple of days, they're now 11 1/2 games back, Mussina has been back but has a 6.52 ERA and a .313 average allowed, Wang is 3-4, they've got 4 guys in the bullpen who already have at least 20 appearances and they've fired their strength coach. Meanwhile the Red Sox have managed to go 8-4 and add 3 games to their lead without Beckett--who returns tomorrow. Lester and Timlin should follow in the next week or so to further help the cause. We're almost 50 games into the season so it's still early but I'd much rather be sitting on an 11 1/2 game lead than looking up at one!

AVJ....will we ever see you in another thread....I hope so, but I could see you camping out here in Red Sox land forever...

AVJ....will we ever see you in another thread....I hope so, but I could see you camping out here in Red Sox land forever...

 

 

LOL I pop up in some other ones from time to time. I'd be especially happy to add my 2 cents to a thread about the state of the Yankees!:fire: :fire:

Speaking of the Red Sox they just completed a 3 game sweep of the hapless Rangers in Arlington today 6-5. Joel Pineiro picked up the win with Hideki OkinowaIwoJima nailing down his 3rd save. Big Papi had the day off to rest sore hamstrings but Varitek had his 4th homer and 3 RBIs to lead the offense. Crisp, Youkilis, Drew, Lowell and Pedroia all had 2 hits apiece with Pedroia adding his 2nd homerun to complete Boston's 11 hits. The Sox trailed 4-3 in the 8th but got to off of Otsuka to take the lead and Pedroia added an insurance run with the homer in the 9th. The Yankees lost again and now trail by 12 1/2 games. Tough against Cleveland at the Fens coming up starting tomorrow Lee takes on Schilling in the opener.

Been hearing rumors of the Red Sox having an interest in Griffey Jr.....That would be too good to be true, but something to keep an eye on maybe.

The Red Sox took the opening game in their series vs. the Tribe last night 5-3. Manny hit his 8th Homerun and Youkilis added his 7th on an inside the park Homerun while raising his batting average to .354. Schilling seemed to get back on track as he only allowed a single run on 6 hits while striking out 10 and walking none. Papelbon allowed a run but closed it out for his 13th save. The Red Sox now lead the AL East by 11 1/2 games over the Orioles and 13 1/2 by the Yankees who don't deserve to even be mentioned in the standings until they manage to get out of last place. Beckett makes his return tonight vs. Sowers.

Red Sox take another one from the Tribe 4-2 tonight. This puts them at 36-15 for the year and keeps them 11.5 games up in the East. The Yankees lost another one and fell to 21-29....14.5 games back.

 

Just doing some math....If the Yanks manage to go 72-40 the rest of the year, they finish at 93-69....The Red Sox could go 58-53, and still win the divison....With or without Clemens, barring a total miracle, the Yanks are officially done.

Thats crazy. Bosox have it all but locked up.

Thought I'd dust this one off just for you and me AJG.....The Sox won again tonight to keep their lead at 11 games. Julio Lugo continues to struggle as his average dips below .200, makes me wonder if his time in Boston may be about up....Gonzo back to the Sox maybe?

Thought I'd dust this one off just for you and me AJG.....The Sox won again tonight to keep their lead at 11 games. Julio Lugo continues to struggle as his average dips below .200, makes me wonder if his time in Boston may be about up....Gonzo back to the Sox maybe?

 

I don't see them making a move right now. They've got a comfortable lead and Lugo's defense has been better than advertised. Cora has been extremely effective in spot starts also. I think they can afford to give him a chance to turn it around although if the price weren't too steep I wouldn't care to see Gonzo back for the stretch run.

Red Sox took the opening game of the Devil Rays series 4-1. Dice K continued his streak of allowing 2 runs or less, it is now at 6 straight starts. During that time he's lowered his ERA from 4.83 to 3.53. He went 8 scoreless innings, allowing only 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 9. Julio Lugo finally broke out of his slump with 2 hits, he had 0fer since June 14th. The Red Sox sit at 51-31, first place in the AL East 11 games ahead of the 2nd place Yankees.

Today's lineup:

Crisp CF

Cora 2B

Ortiz DH

Drew RF

Lowell 3B

Hinske 1B

Ellsbury LF

Mirabelli C

Lugo SS

 

Looks like Manny, Pedroia, Youkilis and Varitek all have the day off. Tito must not be too impressed with Edwin Jackson's 1-8 record and 6.88 ERA. That's an awful lot of people getting an off day at once.

Sox take it 7-5 today, coupled with the Yankees 6-2 loss to the Twins and the good guys have a 12 game lead in the East....

Sox take it 7-5 today, coupled with the Yankees 6-2 loss to the Twins and the good guys have a 12 game lead in the East....

 

The Red Sox "JV" team didn't do too bad. Cora was 1-3 with an RBI and a Run Scored. Ellsbury was 1-4 with an RBI and a Run Scored. Mirabelli was 1-4 with 2 RBIs. Its always good to get a win when you're resting some starters, the Sox are well positioned to go for the sweep tomorrow with Beckett on the hill. With that 12 game lead if the Red Sox play .500 ball the rest of the year they'll go 92-70, the Yankees would have to go 53-28 just to tie.......And the Red Sox still have 16 games to go against the Devil Rays.......