The Boston Red Sox had the day off on Monday after flying across country to Baltimore as they get ready for a three-game set with the Orioles. With the way the Red Sox have been playing as of late, you really have to wonder if the day off was a good thing.

Boston Red Sox closing pitcher Jonathan Papelbon(notes) celebrates striking out Los Angeles Angels' Howie Kendrick(notes) for the final out of a baseball game to give the Red Sox a 4-3 victory, Friday, April 22, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif.You don’t want to see them lose any momentum they built up in Anaheim but you know they cherish their days off. The bullpen is definitely well rested now since the starters have been great as of late. Sure Bobby Jenks and Jonathan Papelbon pitched three days in a row but now they’ll have had two full days off and will be ready to go tonight.

We all expected this from the Red Sox we just didn’t expect the 2-10 start. But as I said yesterday, things are looking up. Now, let’s hope that they can continue this in Baltimore before returning home to Beantown.

I do wonder if the Boston media will drudge up the past with Buck Showalter’s comments about Theo Epstein during spring training. My best guess is that someone will ask and Showalter will say it’s a thing of the past.

We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now enjoy the overnight links by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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Going places? Sox top pitching prospect Anthony Ranaudo is making his case [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Buchholz knows trouble spots [Boston Globe]

Catcher was receptive [Boston Globe]

Don’t worry, be happy [Boston Herald]

Sox most need Jacoby Ellsbury on base [Boston Herald]

Searching for a leading man [Boston Herald]

Jonathan Papelbon’s alter ego frighteningly effective [Boston Herald]

On Varitek, Saltalamacchia and the usefulness of catcher’s ERA [Boston Herald]

Three off-day thoughts on the Red Sox [CSNNE.com]

Power Rankings: Red Sox jump to 13th [ESPN Boston]

Catcher Exposito getting up to speed [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox starting pitchers on historic run [ESPN Boston]

Jason Varitek brushes off talk of ‘personal catchers’ [ESPN Boston]

Kalish confirms report on his injury [Extra Bases]

Where things stand with Ryan Kalish [Full Count]

Carl Crawford Not Alone Among Struggling Left Fielders in American League East [NESN.com]

Red Sox Mailbag: Carl Crawford’s Breakout Weekend, David Ortiz the Bunter and an Ornithology Lesson [NESN.com]

Before Manny Became Manny [New York Times]

Nuggetpalooza: “We’re Going Streaking!” [Nuggetpalooza]

If Orlando Cabrera never leaves, Jed Lowrie never arrives [Projo Sox Blog]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Orioles and Reactionism [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox starting pitching riding best nine-game run in 65 years [Providence Journal]

Is Lowrie answer to longtime problem? [Providence Journal]

Lowrie’s resurgence helping propel Boston [RedSox.com]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNEESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

Photo credit: AP Photo