Red Sox’s Nation seems to have a far reach these days as they continue to be the main attraction in most ball fields. With the recent trip to several National League ballparks, attendance have grown and sellouts are common.
Red Sox’s fans are often in attendance as the cheers and jeers of Red Sox’s fans often out number the home team’s fans. Signs and clothing of many fans throughout the parks sport the player’s names and the familiar red sox’s logo. The Red Sox’s have so many fans across the country they could run for office and likely become elected. It would be interesting to see a poll of popularity between President Bush and Red Sox’s nation. (Story for another time)
With the Red Sox’s in first place for most of the season and holding a double digit lead over the Yankees (www.mlb.com) is keeping the Red Sox’s in place for top billing as the first half of the season comes to a close. Who would of thought the Red Sox’s would be holding onto .649 winning percentage two weeks before the All Star Game.
What can we say about the teams pitching; Beckett has just about every team right where he wants them. Relief pitching has been perhaps the best in the majors this year without any doubt; Hideki Okajima has been the best surprise for the Red Sox’s with his .98 ERA and 33 strike outs. Bring in the closer!! Papelbon has certainly found himself a home. Holding down the fort with an impressive 18 saves and 1.65 ERA, the Red Sox’s bullpen has it working. Wakefield seems to heading for a slow burn. Runners can steal at will, plenty of walks, more than usual pass balls and lots of runs. In the last 10 games Wakefield is five and five, hardly a stellar performance with 4.52 ERA. I’ll have to give Wakefield another few starts before any serious bashing. But as a long time Red Sox’s player, he may need to keep an eye out for the next season’s starting line up. I’ll be surprised to see his name as starter, but he’ll likely still be in the pen, the Red Sox’s owe him at least that.
Oh, as I said in my earlier post concerning Detroit, their still in first place, two games ahead of Cleveland. Detroit playing the Red Sox’s, what a day that will be.
