"Braves?" More like there Be nothing to Rave about (if you're an Atlanta fan)

My friend Matt went to the Braves-Red Sox game on Monday. Before he left, he told me that every time he went to a Red Sox game, they lost. Well, his Ripkenesque streak is certainly intact...

In addition to that, Curt Schilling is on the DL - with off-days coming up, (namely the next two Thursdays, beginning tomorrow) the Red Sox may be able to fudge a 4-man rotation, but they'll have to bring up another pitcher. I'd give Jon Lester time and bring Kason Gabbard back up - after his cameo against the Braves last month, he deserves a chance to prove he can contribute.

The Sox thundered back - outscoring the Braves 15-0 over the last two games. J.D. Drew continued to thrive in his new role as leadoff hitter, until leaving the game tonight with a sore leg. Drew's trip to the DL this season was first prophesized by Nostradamus back in the 16th century, but hopefully he'll be able to delay it awhile longer. At least Pedroia is an attractive option to leadoff in his place (Memo to Coco Crisp and Julio Lugo: stay buried at the bottom of the order)

With Schilling hurt - not that he'd been terribly consistent - that puts more pressure on Beckett and Dice-K to prop up the rotation in his absence. Wakefield will continue to be a feast or famine guy, but perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the season can be summed up in this quote:

"Tavarez is 4-0 with a 3.65 ERA over his last seven starts"

Not too shabby for a guy who last year was to the Red Sox bullpen what big buckets of scotchguard were to the Sofa Superstore in West Ashley.

(Note of Explanation: the furniture store fire in Charleston, SC that made national news this week occurred less than a mile away from my apartment - such that I could see the smoke even before I knew that there was a fire to know about)

On a happier note, Mike Timlin failed to do something tonight that he had only managed to fail at 4 times in 13 prior appearances this season - that is, give up a run. Forgive me if my euphoria seems forced and insincere.

The Sox have a long weekend against the Padres - Dice K against Chris "Swing and a Miss" Young, Wakefield against Maddux (a clash of old titans), and Beckett against Peavey (a clash of young ones).

The Sox have a much more potent offense than the Padres - I'm hoping to see them take another two out of three.

Two days until Teddy arrives - big fun for the Rivalryredux boys is soon to come...