Boston attempts to win their first series against Baltimore since July of 2011 this afternoon down in Camden Yards. Today also represents the end of the dreaded 20 games in 20 days portion of the schedule, and a win today would put Boston 11-9 in that stretch. It doesn't get them to .500 on the season, but with all of the injuries they've dealt with, it's a start that's easily taken when offered.
Let's try not to talk about who is starting in center today for Boston, okay?
Hey, I said let's not talk about it. Let's instead focus on how much more appealing the rest of the lineup looks, now that Kevin Youkilis is back in it, and without the loss of Will Middlebrooks, even.
It's not showing up in his ERA or W-L record yet, but Arrieta has possibly been Baltimore's best starter in 2012 thanks to an impressive K/BB. Bard looks more and more like someone who is in the midst of on-the-job training each time he's out, but there's a reason for that: Bard is in the midst of on-the-job training. Hopefully today Bard has the same kind of eye-opening experience that the struggling Brian Matusz had last night, when everything came together for him at once.
Away with you, vile orange-winged demon, and take your treacherous memories of the past with you. Go Sox!