Just when it looked like the Red Sox were going to limp into the All-Star break and lose their hold on first place in the AL East, they turned it around and got some help from the Angels to get the lead back to three games.
A three-game lead at the break sounds pretty good right now considering all that has transpired over the first half of the season.
The pitching, with the notable exception of Dice-K, has lived up to preseason expectations.
Beckett and Lester are once again the two Aces at the top of rotation, Wakefield has been much better than anyone could have imagined, Penny has been solid and Smoltz should get better as the season wears on.
The bullpen has struggled a bit lately, but they are still arguably the best in baseball. Papelbon continues to be a premier closer and Okajima has regained the form of his rookie season. Bard is a stud who should become more valuable in the second half and Ramirez has stumbled of late but still looks like a solid set up guy.
There has to be concern about the middle relief, however. Masterson and Delcarmen have been brutal lately and Saito has been very inconsistent. I wouldn't be surprised if one them is packaged in a deadline deal.
The offense has found a way to produce despite the slumps and injuries.
Dustin and Youk have been solid and should have excellent second halves. Ellsbury is now consistently getting on base. He has been stealing bases at will. It would be great to see him back in the leadoff spot, but I have to admit the offense has been better since the switch.
Ortiz has proved me wrong and become Big Papi again. I thought he was done after his "slump of the century" to begin the season, but somehow he has regained his form and become a feared hitter again.
It's J-Bay's turn to be in a slump right now. Hopefully the break will get him out of it, but up until the last couple of weeks he had carried the offense. He should be fine.
Tek and Green have been pleasant surprises. Varitek is on pace for 25 homers and isn't an automatic out anymore. Green has to be one of the first half MVPs. With Lowrie going down and Lugo being the Pig that he is, Green has been solid at the plate and made some nice plays in the field.
The two question marks right now are Lowell and J.D. Drew. Drew has had a subpar year so far, but he is still a solid player and should be able to be counted on if he stays healthy.
Lowell has been excellent when he's in the lineup, but the hip problems are worrisome. Even if he comes back strong from the DL, you still have to be concerned the injury could flare up at any time.
So it's nice to be up by three games and have the best record in the AL, but there is a lot of work yet to be done. There's mo way the Sox can stand pat. They definitely need another bat and some help in the bullpen -- maybe a lefty or a middle reliever.
I don't think they should go for a blockbuster deal and give up Buchholz or any of the other top prospects, but a combination of one of the guys in the pen and a lesser prospect should get the team what it needs to get to the postseason.
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