Of course, two big losses to the Yankees don't feel good, but the Sox went 7-3 with a four-game sweep of the Angels. Now, the Sox hit the road in better shape than they were when they last left the confines of Fenway Park, when they were 8-11 on April 25.
Who has been the Red Sox' MVP so far this season?
–Ken, Concord, N.H.
I would say it's been Dustin Pedroia, so far. He leads the
team in home runs (7) and RBIs (23), is hitting .299 and has appeared in
every game. He has been pretty consistently good in a time when the Red
Sox, as a team, have not been. You could make an argument for Kevin
Youkilis and/or John Lackey as well. There is a long way to
go, and sometimes injuries can play a part in who gets the nod. My early
impressions probably will not change much as the year goes on. Will
Dustin Pedroia ever win league MVP again? Maybe not, but Red Sox MVP
could be in his grasp again in 2010.
Could being sidelined help Josh Beckett return to being dominant on the mound?
–Jim, Saugus, Mass.
Hopefully, it will. Whenever you see a pitcher with the ability of Josh Beckett struggle, your first thought is health. He is just too good to be healthy and struggle as much as he has so far this season. The initial report was that he tweaked his back swinging a bat in preparation for interleague play. On second look, it sounds as if his back was sore prior to this event and that the swinging only exasperated it further.
So now, you are left to wonder: How long has his back been an issue and what role has it played in his struggles this season? In essence, rest may be what he needs to get back to being Josh Beckett, the ace of the Red Sox. So far, no DL time has been mentioned — it’s just been a skipping of his spot in the rotation.
The Red Sox got off to a slow start at Fenway Park, but it looks like they're back to having a home-field advantage. What happened?
–Karen, Norfolk, Va.
I'm not sure, but I am glad it appears to be fixed. The one advantage the Red Sox have truly enjoyed over the years is a home-field advantage at Fenway Park. I think the early-season problems were a case of a team trying to find its identity and the players getting to know each other. There are a lot of new parts, and some of the normal leaders on this team are now role players, and some of them are not pleased to be role players. So some personnel problems may have contributed to the slow start, at home and on the road. It appears things are settling in, and this past homestand went better overall for the Red Sox.
What has been the biggest surprise about Boston's offense?
–Tim, Springfield, Mass.
I would have to say the home runs. I looked at this lineup in spring training and wondered, like many did, where the big thump was going to come from. It appeared the lineup was more balanced but might lack the home-run power of past teams. Who was going to make up for the loss of Jason Bay’s numbers? I did not plan on Jason Varitek starting the way he has, or that Dustin Pedroia would power up the way he has. As it stands, a month and a half into the season, the Red Sox are second in the AL in home runs, behind only the Blue Jays. That, to me, has been surprising.
Can the Red Sox beat the top-tier teams in the American League?
–Stan, Rochester, N.Y.
I think they can, but obviously, they need to be more consistent in all facets of their game. Road trips no longer can be a "hope for a .500 record scenario," either. Barring injuries, there is no give in the Rays and Yankees, so every loss is a big deal, and the head-to-head matchups may mean more this year than they have in the last few years. This next stretch will be telling, as the Red Sox play Detroit, New York, Minnesota, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. In two weeks, we will know much more than we currently do now.
