Adrian Gonzalez’s Swings Some of the Best Boston Has Seen Since Manny Ramirez

The only thing that can cool off the Red Sox was some rain on Tuesday night.

The Sox had to postpone their meeting with the Orioles until later in the year, due to a rainstorm that doesn't seem to want to go away, but before that, the Red Sox were rolling. They followed up a three-game sweep in New York with a memorable, come-from-behind victory against Baltimore on Monday night.

At the center of much of that run was Adrian Gonzalez.

Any surprises with Adrian Gonzalez?
–Christopher, Scituate, Mass.

Offensively, none. He is amazing and has performed as advertised. His opposite-field power is amazing but pitchers really are challenged, because they can try to bust him in, and he will clean that out, too. He is as good as it gets. I think back to the prime of Manny Ramirez's run in Boston, and Gonzalez's at-bats remind me of Manny's at-bats. It never looks like he overswings. It's just a fluid, calm swing that has incredible results.

If there is any part of his game that has surprised me, it has been his defense. I know he has a Gold Glove, but his ability to scoop balls out of the dirt is underrated. He is worth everything the Red Sox had to give up and pay him.

John Lackey was placed on the DL on Monday. Are you surprised by how ineffective he has been in 2011?
–Shaun, Marlborough, Mass.

Yes, I really thought that year two would be very good for him, much like it was for Josh Beckett when he first arrived. I thought year one was going to be a learning experience in the AL East, and then you make adjustments and figure it out as Josh did. Instead, it started badly and has never really gotten back to where John Lackey used to be. His outing in L.A. was very good. He pitched angry and looked as if he had turned the corner on past inconsistencies. Lately, though, not so much, and if nothing else, perhaps this time on the DL will help him mentally. I also think pitching is hard enough, but if there are off-the-field things surrounding you, it has to affect your performance. I don't view it as an excuse but more of a truth.

The Rays are in first place. How is this possible with all they lost in the offseason?
–Crystal, Manchester, N.H.

That's a very good question. I am very surprised. I guess I should not be, based on how good a manager Joe Maddon is, but you are only as good as your horses. With the losses of Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, Matt Garza and their entire bullpen, I thought, like most, they would fall to the bottom of the division.

Their starting pitching has been very good and they have played great defense. They are in the mix now and likely will be all season. It's interesting how unpredictable relievers can be. Virtually all of the pitchers in the pen that they lost are under new deals in other places and all are struggling or DL'd. Now if only the fans would notice and show up to the Trop.

What is your take on the Jorge Posada situation in New York?
–Carey, Boston

I am not too surprised. I think things could get worse there when it comes time for Derek Jeter to be moved from shortstop or dropped in the lineup. This is something the Red Sox had to deal with last year as a team. When the veterans who have won World Series titles and are of legend status become role players, it does not sit well, and rarely does it happen peacefully. Last year, Tim Wakefield, Jason Varitek and Mike Lowell all became role players. To Terry Francona's credit, not a lot of that stuff reached the media or outside the clubhouse. I can assure you that none of them were pleased.

As far as Posada goes, I was surprised he got the deal he did in the first place. He got this deal based on what he did in the past and not what really they could expect in the future. His catching skills have never been highly regarded and it appeared he was going to be a DH very soon. He is now exclusively a DH and is not hitting.  That's not easy territory for Joe Girardi. He will be tested moving forward as he tries to field the best team possible to win, legends aside.