May Ends Better Than It Started

The month of May had the prospects of becoming a train wreck like September of 2011. The Sox had a quick start in April which defied all of the odds makers. Could they sustain it in May? The answer was very dubious as the month started with a 5-10 record halfway through. Red Sox Nation had to wonder if April was a fluke & now we were settling into a season of disappointment & "wait till next year." But, very much to the Sox credit, they turned it around in the second half of May to go 10-5 & bring their record to 15-15 for the month. They turned a nose-dive & certain wreck into a safe landing as they start the month of June, now winning their first series of the month against the evil Yankees. Their turnaround is due to Jon Lester & Clay Buchholz pitching well. It's also due to steady play by Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz & Mike Napoli in the middle of the order. It's also due to contributions by guys like Daniel Nava, Jonny Gomes, Mike Carp & recently Jose Iglesias & JBJ. And the Sox get Ellsbury, Victorino & Middlebrooks back soon. Even though June poses a very tough schedule I'm counting on the Sox to finish the month in first or second as the standings get congested in the AL East with Baltimore & Tampa Bay making pushes towards the top.