This is usually the time of year when I start to really tune in to the Bosox.  Season being half over and all.

It looks like we’re in first — barely — and that seem largely due to a Tampa Bay impode more than anything else.  (Really?  Tampa Bay?  Why are they even a factor?!?)

Yankees not a serious threat at the moment….

Of course, Papi is out on disability for a while, Youklis and Varitek will probably soon join him on the DL.  And Schilling just is gone.

And, to top it off, Manny is being all grumbly with the front office apparently.  Seriously, I like Manny, but sometimes his attitude…

All this doesn’t bode well for the near future. 

But JD Drew and Mike Lowell are pulling their weight (Drew only has one less homer than Manny); we’ve still got Dice-K and Papelbon on the bench.

So we might survive a rough patch and squeak through…