This Is Why We Watch

We’re just two weeks past the All-Star break and things are already starting to heat up as divisional rivalries and the attendant ugliness ensues, especially in the AL East.

Jul 28, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox teammates Dustin Pedroia (left) and Jonny Gomes (right) celebrate after a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Red Sox defeated the Orioles 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

After the Rays manhandled the Sox and looked to take the series last Thursday, only to be thwarted by a rain postponement, Boston traveled to Baltimore, got shut out again for the second time in four games in an excruciating loss and dropped 1/2 game out of first place behind Tampa Bay. This is why we watch.

The Yankees, in search of a right handed bat, secured the services of none other than Alfonso Soriano nine years after they sent him to Texas in 2004.

Ater Boston won Saturday’s game behind a three homer orgy – two by Stephen Drew – and Ryan Dempster‘s pitching, Sox fans were both jubilant over the win and embarrassed by David Ortiz‘s phone bashing and teammate endangering tirade in the dugout after getting tossed. This is why we watch.

Sunday, Boston vaulted back into first place behind a high wire pitching act performed by Jon Lester and strong Sox hitting, primarily by Ortiz who went 4-4, while the Yankees beat the Rays in the bottom of the ninth in the Bronx on a walk-off base hit by – you guessed it – Alfonso Soriano. This is why we watch.

Now the Rays and starting pitcher David Price, who throttled the Sox last Wednesday, return to the scene of the crime Monday at Fenway to make up last Thursday’s rain out trailing the Sox by 1/2 game with first place on the line. This is why we watch.

"It’s delicious and enthralling — and we’ve really just started."