.500!

In the dead of winter, I was not impressed with this team. I don't think that I made an actual win total prediction but I know that I wasn't optimistic. In spring training, it turned out that I couldn't help but to like this team but I was certain that they were going to break my heart. And even up until a couple of weeks ago, I really didn't want to get too invested because they were, in my mind, destined to disappoint. I think that I may finally be ready to trust them.

And barring some sort of epic unthinkable *lalalalalaI'mnotlisteninglalalalala* collapse, I've never been so glad to have been so wrong.

Waiting to X-hale.

(Getty Images)

Last time we chatted, I was none too enthused with this team. There may have been talk of pixie dust mixed with a hint of impending doom. All said though, that was a real nice road trip. You can't argue with the pitching that they got from their starters, the offense was less wretched, and the defense looked a little less woebegone. Plus, they have a shiny new toy.

Not that everything is now gumdrops and lollipops. The bullpen has room for improvement. And you've got the Orioles coming in, a team they haven't seemed to have played well against for almost two years. But a successful west coast trip is impressive and coming away with a series win against the hottest team in the National League is a minor miracle.

Asleep At The Wheel.

So that sucked.

What the hell is Ryan Dempster doing? He's not a good enough pitcher to put men on base just because he doesn't like them. Up by only two, with himself on the mound, the man needs to get some prospective.

And what the hell is John Farrell doing? Does he not know that Dempster is awful? That he's not a pitcher who should be allowed any leash at all?

This team has survived on lucky breaks and miraculous comebacks. Fun to watch but not the foundation of a successful baseball team. This team has been playing well above it's true talent level and appears to be in the process of sinking back to earth.

Of all the American League teams in contention, Tampa is the best team. Hell, even with all their faults, Detroit is closer to a complete team than Boston. One would feel better if they could go on a nice little run but they don't appear to be built to do that; the pitching is too poor, the hitting too unreliable. Throw a lefty against them (other than Sabathia) and they are totally and utterly inept.

And Jon Lester tonight. Yippee!

The Fairest of Them All.

 (Getty Images)

I've enjoyed the pieces Gabe Kapler wrote over at 'EEI. I thought that he was a unique voice; thoughtful, generally clear, and insightful. But the man obviously doesn't have a face for radio (or its Internet extension) and has decided to hire on at Fox Sports 1. Whether one can offer thoughtful, interesting analysis while living in fear of the viewer changing the channel remains to be seen but it's a good move for him. And a loss for 'EEI.

Wow.