News should only get better as the likes of Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia among others make their returns, but there have already been multiple encouraging developments for the Sox.
While many Red Sox position players have been out, Daniel Nava and Darnell McDonald have proven to be strong fill-ins.
At catcher though, the Sox struggled at the plate without Victor Martinez or Jason Varitek. With Martinez’s .283 bat back in the lineup, the Sox have made a major upgrade which should reinvigorate their offense.
Having a guy who won 17 games last year back in your rotation is always good too. Josh Beckett had been out since the early season with back problems, and prior to going on the DL, he had struggled. In his returning start, Beckett allowed just one run in 5 2/3 innings. His 2009 form appears to be back.
John Lackey, an off-season acquisition who has been inconsistent thus far with the Sox, seems to be fulfilling his reputation as a second-half performer. In his last two starts, including a homecoming in Anaheim, Lackey has allowed just two runs in 15 1/3 innings, good for a 1.17 ERA and a stellar 0.72 WHIP.
So what has been the most encouraging sign for the Red Sox? For V-Mart’s return, text “SOX1” to 542542. If you think it’s the return of Josh Beckett, text “SOX2” to 542542. Or if you believe it is John Lackey’s second-half form, text “SOX3” to 542542.
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