So Far, So Good

So close. 

Imagine what we'd all be saying if Joe Kelly hadn't completely imploded on Opening Day. Imagine if one more of those balls had found the strike zone, or one of those hits had found a fielder's glove. We'd be looking at an undefeated team that has gotten amazing starting pitching and is sitting comfortably in first place. 

As it it, we're looking at a 3-1 team with excellent starting pitching, and the division lead. Not much more you can ask for, really. 

Yes, the Sox have been playing the Rays. But, they didn't select the team to play. They play the schedule. They have to play the Rays nineteen times a season, so winning a majority of those games is important. After all, the best teams in history padded their records by beating up on the weaklings. 

But, really, more than results we should look at performance. So whether David Price gave up a run is less important than the fact that he looked good, and in control. Rick Porcello is certainly capable of giving up home rubs to the Rays. So, the fact that he kept the ball down is more important than if a grounder found the outfield or not. 

So, even against the Rays there's reason for optimism. The pitchers weren't striking out a bad lineup. They were throwing strikes. 

Of course, conversely, you could look for a negative by saying the offense didn't score ten runs a game against Rays pitching. But, when you're only supposed to get a hit once a game I can't get too wrapped up in a four game stretch. Especially when Alex Cora was trying to shuffle things to get everyone involved in a game as soon as possible and manage the amount time played on that Tampa Bay turf. The team scored runs. They got key hits. They did what they needed to do. Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts looked like their health would let them bounce back. 

The rest will come.