On Wednesday, the Boston Red Sox defeated the Baltimore Orioles, finishing off both an 8 game road trip and a stretch of 20 games in a row with no off days. During the trip, the Red Sox managed to go a respectable 5-3, splitting a two game series with the Tampa Bay Rays, and taking 2 out of 3 games from both the Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies. The Red Sox were also able to compile a winning record during their long stretch of no off days, posting a record of 11-9. As of May 24th, they currently have a record of 22-22, last in the American League East but only 5 and a half games behind division leading Baltimore.
Boston now returns home to begin a series with the Rays, who are currently in second place in the American League East, only 1 game behind Baltimore. In the first series between these two teams at Fenway Park in 2012, the Red Sox were able to take 3 of the 4 games, feasting on Tampa Bay’s young pitching staff. In their next meeting, the teams split a two game series at Tropicana Field. They now get set to renew their division rivalry once again, with Boston’s Jon Lester scheduled to go up against Tampa Bay’s Alex Cobb.
In 2012, the Red Sox have reached .500 on 3 different occasions, but have so far failed to rise above this threshold of mediocrity. When they begin their series with the Rays on Friday night, the Red Sox will once again have a chance to achieve a winning record. With both the starting pitchers and the bullpen contributing to several wins recently, the time is now for the Red Sox to elevate their play, and prove that they are capable of winning on a consistent basis.
