The Good Stuff

I've done my share of kvetching about the team's trouble spots lately, but, let's not forget, there is a lot of things right with the team this year:

1. The Bullpen! You gotta love the Red Sox relief corps this year. From a matured Manny Delcarmen to an Oki who resembles the '07 version of himself to offseason pickups Ramon Ramirez and Takashi Saito, the 'pen has been the Rock of Gibraltar for the Sox in '09. There's also the roll-with-the-punches sinkerballer Justin Masterson, the flamethrowing young phenom Daniel Bard, and the jig-dancing closer Jon Papelbon, who may throw a lot more pitches and make the 9th inning an adventure, but he's still tied for the league lead in saves.

2. Beckett being '07 Beckett. He had a rough April, but in May he began returning to form, with his last three starts resembling the awesome '07 Beckett we came to rely on as the ace. If he continues on this path of pitching excellence, it will take the team a long way.

3. Jason "we must re-sign him" Bay. J-Bay has thrived as a member of the Red Sox. He's come through with some clutch hits so far this season and is tied for second in the league in home runs and RBI.

4. Tek's newfound power. After an epic struggle at the plate last season, Tek put in some off-season work on his hitting and it has paid off with 10 dingers so far this season.

5. Jacoby "hitting streak" Ellsbury. Jake's swinging a hot stick this season, batting over .300 and having a 22-game hitting streak that came to an end last week. His OBP could be a little higher, but he had a point when he remarked that it's hard to draw a walk when pitchers are throwing him strikes. After all, no one wants to give this speed demon a free ride to first base.

6. Kevin "working on a batting title" Youkilis. Youk's second in the league and in the majors in batting average, hitting .362. Can he catch up to first place Jason Bartlett while Bartlett's on the DL?

7. Wake's solid contribution. The knuckler's had a nice start to the season and leads the Sox rotation with 7 wins. He was a rock in April when the rest of the starters were just starting the offensive attack of the opposing teams.

LET'S GO RED SOX!!!!! RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY!