I’m Too Excited!

I can’t believe the baseball gods are making us wait another day before more Red Sox baseball. The three-day all-star break was bad enough. But four? That’s just cruel. The Red Sox are too good. The Red Sox are too exciting. The Red Sox are too much fun. How can I possibly be expected to wait so long before enjoying them again?

I thought one way to cope would be to think about the things in the second ‘half’ that I’m most excited about.

The Performances of the All-Stars. The Red Sox had five players at the All-Star game on Tuesday, and all five are on their way towards Epic seasons. (OK. Maybe Mitch Moreland’s season won’t quite be “epic”.) Mookie Betts and JD Martinez are doing their best Manny-Ortiz impression, and then some. Those two may have had more power than Mookie and JD (I say “may”) but neither of them ware the all-around players the current duo is. Especially Mookie. The epitome of a five-tool player, he is just a joy to watch. It will be so much fun to see how high he can go, and where JD will end up in relation. Chris Sale is also on his way to a monster year. The win total won’t be high enough to really get people’s attention, but a Cy Young is definitely a real possibility. He’s going to be fun to watch the next couple months. And last in the list, and in the game, is Craig Kimbrel. He’s just something, isn’t he? It’s been a while since the Sox had a closer who could come into a game, and just mow down the other team. It’s something you take for granted until you don’t have it.

Jackie Bradley, Jr. We know his history. He’s a complete wizard in the field, but closer to the guy behind the curtain at the plate. It’s a deal we’re more than willing to make. But, he always has a stretch…a long stretch…where he absolutely carries the team. Maybe that stretch just started. Maybe it’s still to come. But, when it does it’s a wonder to behold. I can’t wait to see it happen.

David Price. Lost in the shadow of Chris Sale is the fact that Price has done a pretty good job this season. Yes, he’s had a blip here and there. But, lots of pitchers do that. Assuming the injuries are finally behind him, I’m looking forward to watching Price be back to his old self as the season finishes up.

The New Guy. I don’t know who it will be, but the Red Sox will add someone. It might be a pitcher. It might be a bat. But, hopefully it will fill a need for the Sox, and be the push they need to really make this season flow.

The Sox are on a pretty special pace right now. I can’t wait to see them finish strong.

What part of the second half has you most excited?