Streaking Sox hammer Pedro...

Did you ever imagine that headline?

Out with the old....



And in with the new...

Pedro's return to Fenway was not what he imagined. Although he noted last week he preferred not to face his old teammates. It wasn't pretty. Petey looked rattled in the first when he had trouble deciding what to do with a grounder hit right back to him. An easy double play ball translated into only 1 out and the runners on base scored. It was clear that the return clearly affected him.

Beckett stole the show last night. So was it that big of a mistake not signing Pedro? You wouldn't have Beckett if you did. Here's a few questions to think about:

How effective would Pedro be if he stayed in the AL? Is the NL he's pitching in truly as weak as the last 11 games have shown?

How much does Pedro have left in the tank? Only 1 pitch hit 91 last night. He's got 2 years left on his contract. How effective is that $14m going to be in the next 2 years?

Looks like the Sox might have been prudent sticking to 3 years...

Beckett looks like he's found himself. The transition to the AL may finally have taken hold. Oh yeah, he's only 26...

Few random thoughts...

Correction - last Sox 10 game win streak was late Aug into Sep, back in 2004...

How hot is Gonzo? His average rose from .220 to .267 in 13 games. Wow.

Sox are hitting .340 as a team during this 11 game streak, and bypassed the Yanks and Toronto in runs scored for the year.

Sox are now on pace for over 100 wins...

Despite multiple injuries and this recent run, the Yanks are only 3 1/2 back. Toronto is hanging in at 5 back. Just feels like more distance should have been made. They were tied with Toronto & 1 behind the Yanks.

What's going to happen at the deadline?

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Probably bullpen help only. Why? The emergence of Lester, the pickups of Snyder & Johnson, and Clement's rehab reportedly going well. Don't forget David Wells, who they may just hold back until Aug 1 anyway. If he was going to retire, he would have already.

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Defense? Nope. Already best in the majors...

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Offense? Who do you take out of this lineup? Outfield: Kapler is back & Wily Mo will be in mid July. Infield: Apparently Pedroia is on fire in AAA, and Cora is batting over .300

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Intangibles:

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Manny has not asked for a trade, and won't, according to his agent.

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Maybe look for a backup for 1B, although Hee Sop Choi is in AAA.

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Dontrelle Wills? No way the Marlins part with him.

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Miguel Tejada? O's looking for an established starter (and not Clement).

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Trot Nixon? Is Wily Mo the future?

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BEST WISHES to Peter Gammons who reportedly is recovering well. Supposedly he will make a full recovery. Let's hope so. We miss you already. Get well soon!