The Cream is Rising to the Top
By Editorial Staff
The Red Sox strive to get on top remains on course after their three game dismantling of the New York Yankee this weekend. The difference between the two clubs this series was that the Red Sox middle of the order produced while the Yankees didn’t. The trio of Adrian Gonzalez, Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz flexed their muscles. On the flip side the Yankees threesome of Mark Texieria, Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano struggled. Suddenly the two clubs appear to have switched places. The Yankees are playing like the Sox did at the start of the season and the Sox are beating their opponents by virtue of the long ball.
What did we learn this weekend?
Josh Beckett might have reclaimed the title of staff ace? Beckett’s shut out performance on Saturday is what is expected from a top of the rotation starter. He beat the other teams Ace in crucial game of the season. Call it what you want, reborn or rejuvenated, I prefer to call him, Cy Young candidate.
David Ortiz is still the best DH in the American League. Like Beckett, many critics thought Ortiz had seen his better days. Not so fast bunkys, Ortiz always the Yankee killer, killed them again this weekend. While the Yankees were knee deep with drama from their own DH, Ortiz pounded the Yankees pitching into submission.
Any doubts that Adrian Gonzalez couldn’t handle the pressure of playing for a big market team should be swept under the carpet. The awe of playing at Yankee stadium didn’t faze the first base slugger one single bit. Gonzalez has been carrying this team as of late and it was no different this weekend. His two home runs in the first two games of the series is further proof that the Sox truly did acquire a big game Superstar.
Other highlights included: Jacoby Ellsbury continued to stay hot and Kevin Youkilis is finally starting to heat up. Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit his first homerun, good timing as it turned out to be the knockout blow that secured the series sweep.
The comeback journey continues tonight as the Sox host East Division Rival, The Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles continue to surprise teams this season and always play tough against the Sox. John Lackey is prepared to unveil a new and improved windup when he takes the mound. Then again anything he does different should be an improvement.
It “only” took the Sox forty games to get to the .500 mark for the first time this season. Nothing like beating the Yankees to get the momentum going. Odds are they will keep the momentum rolling against the Orioles.
Hopefully the worst is behind us, but lets not forget what it took to get us here. It will define who we are when the dog days of summer approach.
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