Sox Keep Rolling

Well so far so good on Nick Green. He's been an adequate replacement with enough bat so far - but he'll be hard pressed to keep the pace, I suspect. The sox still have a bunch of questions, but for the most part the team looks fit to compete, as they've really been handing it to teams. Yankess in this weekend, interesting match up.

With all the home runs hit in Yankee stadium, you have to wonder if it's going to get tough for the Yanks to play away from home. Will some of them start TRYING to belt it out all over the place, leading to more K's, or will they be able to balance it? I don't think the Rockies benefit by scoring so much at home, and then hitting the road - I think the hitters struggle more; I mean, psychologically it can't be much fun playing at sea level after doing your best 'Thunder of the Gods' routine for 6 days on a home stand. I think the Yanks could find themselves in a similar type of issue.

Issues for the Sox to watch:

1) Will Ellsbury be the sparkplug for the sox? He's hitting better, but I think he's the key.

2) Lugo or Lowrie? Can anyone play short and be anything but a drag on the offense?

3) Varitek looks great: BUT (sorry Tek, there's a But) you have to expect at this point in his career that he'll look rough after the break. He can't be the automatic out he was last year in the playoffs.

4) Kotteras: Catcher of the future? I'm not unimpressed, but we haven't seen much yet.

5) Enjoy the bullpen. I bet they are the best in MLB.

6) Can Penny stay in the rotation? Penny, no one's pulling for you more than me, but you can't win with just a fastball in Fenway. Especially if you can't locate it.

7) Will Masterson be traded for a big bat: I'm saying yes.

8) Will Matsuaka return and be effective? And who even knows what's really wrong with the cat?

Lots to watch!