It's amazing to me how similiar the 2008 Red Sox are to the 2007 Red Sox. There wasn't many ground breaking moves or changes in the lineup. However, there were a few players that found new territory to call home in 2008. Let's see how they're doing out of a Red Sox uniform:

(Editor's Note: Stats as of Wednesday afternoon)

Eric Hinske - Tampa Bay Rays

The lovable backup outfielder slash first baseman slash third baseman slash temporary dirt dog. We all remember his absolutely amazing catch out in right field, right? That was just beautiful. I think the Sox wanted to bring back Hinske in a backup role for 2008, there just wasn't the room to keep him. He's benefiting now, though. As you can see, Hinske's been cruising as a Ray this season. His average sits at a below-average .257, but he's shown quite a bit of power with his 10 home runs.

Plus or minus since '07: PLUS

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Wily Mo Pena - Washington Nationals

This guy still has so, so much potential. If the Red Sox were a young, rebuilding team last year, Pena would have worked out great. But with the team how it is, Pena just didn't have room to sit on the bench and not allow him to swing the redwood of his. This season he's a National but he's been injured off and on. I guarantee if this guy can get a full season in the NL he'll smash at least 40 home runs. We'll see if he ever stays healthy, though.

Plus or minus since '07: MINUS

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Kason Gabbard - Texas Rangers

You remember Mr. Gabbard. He brought us Eric Gagne, and who could forget that? (Yeah, he's coming. Just wait.) Gabbard has certainly struggled this season for the Rangers. He has more walks than strikeouts (23 to 18) and his WHIP is a not-so-good 1.71. Gabbard hasn't won a game since April 4. I think he's going to start turning around the season, but even at this point he has a lot of work to do.

Plus or minus since '07: MINUS

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Joel Pineiro - St. Louis Cardinals

You've got to remember this guy. He was supposed to be our closer going into the 2007 season. That wasn't the best experiment, to say the least. Pineiro didn't spend much time with the Sox (34 innings) before finding St. Louis as his new home last season. But ever since then, he's been quite strong for the Cards. He's not going to the All-Star game, but he's definitely improved since his Sox days.

Plus or minus since '07: PLUS

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J.C. Romero - Philadelphia Phillies

Why couldn't Romero do this when we was a Sox? Like Pineiro, he didn't see much time as a Sox but ever since he's left he's found good success. Romero is putting up the best numbers of his career in Philadelphia. You might be able to thank the fact he's pitching in the NL for the best hitting team in the NL, but let's give the guy some props: He hasn't exploded yet.

Plus or minus since '07: PLUS

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Eric Gagne - Milwaukee Brewers

19.1 IP, 23 H, 16 BB, 18 SO, 5 HR, 6.98 ERA

(Going old school because the 'widget' isn't working.)

Oh Gagne. It's sad to say, but it looks like he's done. Stick a fork in him. I gave him a pass for failing in Boston, but to fail in Milwaukee is another thing. It's not acceptable. The Brewers thought Gagne would be their missing piece to getting over the hump, but now they've found Gagne just can't do it any more. Now all Gagne has is that magical 2003 season. It was magical. It was one of the greatest seasons of any reliever ever. But now it looks like he is done. Too bad.

Plus or minus since '07: MINUS

via www.fangraphs.com

Summary:

Gabbard v. Buchholz

In the battle of former semi-prospect and current uber-prospect, injury won. Gabbard was unable to go beyond the second inning due to injury, and Dustin Nippert took over. Fortunately for the Sox, and not so much for the Rangers. The offense was led by DP (2-5, 2B, 2 RsBI), Julio Lugo (not kidding, 4-4, 2B, SB, 2 R, RBI, BB) and Tacoby (2-4, 2 SB, BB, 2 R). Buch was shaky early, but settled down well, striking out 6 in 6 while allowing 7 baserunners. The Sox bullpen (Aardsma, J-Lo, and MDC) was not terrific.

All I do really well is not walk people Jered Weaver v. Beckett Pauley

You know what? I'm not upset that David Pauley was, shall we say, not good yesterday. Part of it is the great team win that resulted, but a bigger part is that it was a fairly unfair situation. He didn't know what he was doing, then was told at 2 he would not be pitching, then was told at 4 that he would be pitching. Thankfully, the 'pen was mostly able to keep the Rangers from scoring (with the only blip being a solo HR off the bat of Casey Kotchman). Kudos, in particular, to Paps who lit up the radar gun on the way to an 11-pitch, 2 K, 1-2-3 9th inning. Offensively, this game belonged to DP. There was much moaning in the thread about a baserunning gaffe, but he made up for it by going 4-5 on the day, with 3 2B and a SB!. Tacoby also helped "a little" by hitting his 2nd and 3rd HRs of the season, and getting the bunt single that led to him scoring the winning run. The Sox managed 16 hits in total, with 7 (4 2B, 3 HR) going for extra bases. 

Players of the Gamez:

via d.yimg.com

Clay's 6 shutout innings were just what we (and he) needed on Monday. DP just absolutely rocked the house on Tuesday, narrowly edging out Tacoby.

Commentz of the Gamez:

Don't worry. The Rangers just misplayed Lugo's double play ball for a single up the middle. - ecoli

It's not Lugo. It's an alien using his body. There, I said it. - merrygobyebye