Just how hot are the Boston Red Sox right now? Well they’re so hot that were able to increase their lead in the AL East by a ½ game on both the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.
Actually we have the Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers to thank for that but given how strong the AL East is, you’ll take them any way you can get them. The Red Sox lead over the Yanks in the AL East is now 2.5 games while it’s 4.5 games over the third place Rays, who just happen to the local nine’s opponents for the next three days.
The Red Sox come into the Trop tonight as winners of nine straight games after outscoring the Toronto Blue Jays 35-6 over three games. In those nine straight wins, the Red Sox have swept their last three opponents including two straight sweeps on the road.
This was a big 10-day nine-game road trip through the AL East and at 6-0, it can be considered a success. But what would make it a little more sweeter is a three-game sweep of the Rays. Heck even two out of three wouldn’t be so bad considering the struggles have had in the Trop the past few seasons.
The Sox are 7-11 in the past two seasons at the Trop going 4-5 last year and 3-6 in 2009. The Red Sox actually took the first three games at the Trop last year before losing five of the last six. Overall in the past two seasons, the Red Sox are 16-20 against their rivals.
Sure every game is important but when it comes to the AL East, they’re even more important. So while a sweep these next three days would be nice, I’ll take two wins before heading back to Boston to start up interleague play again.
A side note to watch is the fact that Carl Crawford returns back to Tampa for the first time since signing with the Red Sox. It will be interesting to see what type of reaction he gets from the Rays faithful.
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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Welcome mat for Crawford? [Boston Globe]
Aceves applies himself [Boston Globe]
Carl Crawford’s return might not cause ripple [Boston Herald]
Jacoby Ellsbury strongest of week [Boston Herald]
Relievers accept fate [Boston Herald]
PawSox hurler Weiland showng promise [CSNNE.com]
Andrew Miller may soon join Red Sox’ rotation [CSNNE.com]
Nation STATion: Dissecting Dice-K [CSNNE.com]
Lundblad: Sox offense on tear during streak [ESPN Boston]
Video: State of the Nation [ESPN Boston]
Power Rankings: Sox up to No. 1 [ESPN Boston]
A team rolling and two players on different paths [Extra Bases]
Morales pitches in second rehab game [Extra Bases]
Report: Red Sox eighth-rounder Senquez Golson unlikely to sign [Full Count]
Sox near deals with seven draft picks [Full Count]
Lavarnway continues steady rise in Red Sox system [Full Count]
Crawford’s Return To Tampa Anything But Just Another Game [Hartford Courant]
Red Sox, BHCHP Teaming Up for ‘Sox for Socks’ Program at Fenway Park July 9-10 [NESN.com]
Red Sox Break 86-Year Drought in 2004, Able to Make Easy Case for Best Sox Team Ever [NESN.com]
Red Sox Mailbag: 2011 Sox Starting to Show Similarities to 2007 World Champion Team [NESN.com]
Fenway Park Undergoes Renovation in 1933, Construction of Green Monster Begins [NESN.com]
How the Red Sox pitched to Bautista [Projo Sox Blog]
Off-day Red Sox musings [Projo Sox Blog]
Red Sox can’t get much hotter, can they? [Providence Journal]
Tommy John surgery isn’t always risky business [RedSox.com]
Cool, collected Crawford returns to St. Pete [RedSox.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
Photo credit: Reuters Pictures
