Daily Red Sox Links: Scott Atchison, Mark Melancon, Kevin Youkilis

At a certain point you just want the shelling of the starter to happen now because if it doesn't you know it'll happen eventually and really, it would be nice to do something with your evening besides wait for the Red Sox blow it.

I've been operating under the assumption that the Red Sox are too talented to really be this bad, but Alex Speier isn't sure that's right. (Alex Speier; WEEI.com)

Mark Melancon may or may not be long for Pawtucket but it seems he's done just about all that he can against Triple-A hitters. (Mike Andrews of Sox Prospects; ESPN Boston)

Up is down, left is right, hot is cold, and Scott Atchison is one of the best relievers in Boston. (Tim Britton; The Providence Journal)

Is trading Kevin Youkilis the right thing to do? Jack Moore thinks it might be. (Jack Moore; Fan Graphs)

Being a good fan as well as a good human means challenging your own perceptions from time to time. (Chip Buck; Fire Brand of the AL)

Josh Hamilton will be a free agent at the end of the year. Four homer game or not, he'll be a risky guy to stake $100+ million on. (Steven Goldman; Pinstriped Bible)

One of the most depressing career injuries ever suffered was that of Tony Conigliaro. (Baseball Prospectus [free!])

Some of this stuff sets off the SSS Alert! but it isn't too early to say Jed Lowrie is having a nice season in Houston.(Chris Cwik; Fan Graphs)