Although there were bumps in the road, the trip out west yielded plenty of positives. Here are a few keys for the Red Sox to keep it going.
Mound Men
Over the final seven games of Boston's 10-game swing, the starters went 3-0 with a 2.22 ERA. Six of the seven outings were quality starts, and the other fell just one out shy of earning that status. Jonathan Papelbon also picked up four saves on the trip. He did blow one save but allowed zero earned runs in 5 1/3 innings pitched.
Facing a Tigers offense weakened by injuries, the Sox' rotation will look to keep alive its best run of the season. Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Clay Buchholz get the nods.
Return to Health
Mike Lowell may return Friday, Jacoby Ellsbury may move his rehab to Pawtucket and the club hopes to have a timetable for the return of Dustin Pedroia at some time during the homestand.
The club's sputtering offense could sure use a boost bound to come when these guys get healthy. The question remains. Who departs when each position player returns?
Maintain Momentum
The Sox had lost the last game in six of their previous seven series before capping off the sweep in Anaheim with a 7-3 victory. It gives them a rare dose of momentum entering a new series, and with the way Tigers have been playing of late, Boston is presented with a great opportunity to put together a lengthy winning streak.
The Sox have won three straight. Detroit has won just three of its last 14. If Boston is going to crawl a bit closer to Tampa Bay and New York, this is the time to do so.
