Red Sox 6, Orioles 5

The Sox are 22-22 and just took 2 of 3 from the Orioles. Why am I so happy at this? Because I like the way the Sox won these games. And I prefer consistently winning 2 of 3 as opposed to stretches of 5 straight wins then 5 straight losses.

I'm not as optimistic about Daniel Bard. He's looking more and more like Daisuke Matsuzaka. He's not throwing enough strikes (49 strikes, 41 balls today), he's walking batters (4 more today, he's now walked more batters than he's struck out), his pitch count is getting high early, and he never seems to have the same pitches working for him from start to start.

It's not been a major problem. So far. He's not getting crushed. He's not wild. He got two very timely double-plays yesterday that helped him avoid disaster. And with runners in scoring position, he held the O's at bay.

It doesn't seem like a long-term successful way to pitch, though. This is his fourth start that he's failed to go 6 innings. He's tied with Justin Masterson for the 6th most walks in all of baseball.

Bard only allowed 2 earned runs. The homerun he surrendered today was only the 3rd he's given up all season. That's why the walks haven't been deadly for him. And there's no alternative starting pitcher to take his spot. So for now, Bard is will remain the rotation. He hasn't been a significant problem. Yet.

The offense was provided by some surprise sluggers. Nava, Shoppach, and Podsednik each hit homeruns. Adrian Gonzalez better watch his back because Nava and Shoppach are only 1 homerun behind him. They each have 2. Nava has 2 homers in his last 26 at-bats, and this is after going 171 ABs without a homerun. Podsednik hadn't hit a homerun since September 2010.

All season long, the Sox have been getting contributions from unexpected sources. Doubront has been the most reliable starter in the rotation. Cody Ross, Ryan Sweeney, Will Middlebrooks, Daniel Nava, Mike Aviles. Hell, Kelly Shoppach is hitting .281. These are the Bill Mueller, Mark Bellhorn kind of guys that added to the star power of the 2004 Red Sox. The glue that held the big pieces together.

Now we just need the star pitchers to consistently pitch like stars, the high-priced free agent slugger to earn his pay, and the bullpen to figure itself out.

Sox have an off-day, then host the Rays for 3 over the weekend. It's a great opportunity to claw back into the AL East race. The Sox have done well against Tampa Bay this season. Lester faces Alex Cobb, a 24 year old who was born in Boston and has made 10 Major League starts, 7 of which were Quality Starts. That makes me feel uneasy.

-The Captain

Nationals Scouting Red Sox Catchers

"The Nationals have a scout in Boston with an eye on the Red Sox's catchers, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. The Nats will be without starting catcher Wilson Ramos for most, if not all, of the 2012 season (MLBTradeRumors)."

Obviously the Red Sox wouldn't get a lot back, but I am already hearing from fans to do a trade ASAP so the Red Sox can bring Lavarnway. To a point I get it, but it does need to be pointed out that Salty is actually having a pretty good season so far. He is batting .250 with 5 HRs and 15 RBIs, and is on pace for 23 HRs and 69 RBIs.

I am not a big Salty guy, so I think I might be in favor of dealing him. Even though he is just 27 years old, he seems to be what he is. He has a low batting average, and never walks (last season 24 walks, 119 strikeouts). Sure he can hit the occasional long ball, but what I like about Lavarnway is that he is a patient hitter (currently .370 OBP in AAA, and .376 last season). I guess you never know how that will translate to the majors, but I think it's worth the risk.

It was said in spring training that Bobby V was a big fan of Lavarnway, and I'd love to see him get a shot. What a better outlook for the season if Lavarnway can come through for the Red Sox and Middlebrooks looking like he is the real deal.

The other deal I guess would be to trade Shoppach, but it's probably not worth bringing up Lavarnway if he is only going to play 1 out of 5 games, since he can get more work in down in the minors.