Red Sox Diaries

Wow, eleven straight wins. Maybe the poor start was what the team needed. Maybe they did some soul searching. Maybe Terry Francona found a way to stir up the clubhouse. Or maybe it was just early April and the cobwebs were still around from a long post-season and short off-season. Regardless how you slice it, the Sox are on a roll and I don’t see them slowing down anytime soon.

They have two more games against the last-place Indians and then the fun begins. The Red Sox could take commanding control of the AL East if they bury the Rays, who currently occupy last place, in the upcoming four-game series. Then it's off to New York to hand out yet another beatdown of the Evil Empire. Or should I say Shmempire.

Mike Lowell looks like he has fully recovered off-season hip surgery. The 35-year-old third baseman is batting a scorching .319 with 22 RBI. Don’t look now but if Lowell can put up numbers like he did just two years ago, then watch out. In 2007 Lowell's production against righties and lefties was nearly equal. This year he is all over righties, batting .353, but has struggles against southpaws at .238. It is a small sample size, just 21 at-bats against lefties, so let's keep it in perspective.

The Red Sox get another boost with the return of shortstop Julio Lugo, who was recovering from knee surgery. With Jed Lowrie out until late June, the Sox could use Lugo, although they have been cooking without him. Lugo's return bumps pitcher Michael Bowden back to Triple-A. --- Nick Barone.