Well the Sox started the first swing of a 10-game stretch against their main AL East competition by taking a sweep up in Toronto. After last night’s 8-1 bludgeoning, the Sox limped out of Toronto having dropped the three games by a combined score of 23-8. There’s no relief in sight, either. Boston now heads into the Bronx to face the Yankees, a team clicking on all cylinders right now, winners of 15 of their last 17.

The Sox did make two roster moves after the game. They called up John Olerud, hopefully to start taking time away from current everyday first baseman Kevin “.244/.342/ *&#%ing .331″ Millar. In my estimation they called up the wrong guy, but hey, they have started the process of supplanting a guy that has to be one of Major League Baseball’s very worst regulars. Boston also called up catcher Kelly Shoppach, currently hitting .279/.392/.571 thus far in Pawtucket. Jeremi Gonzalez and Shawn Wooten were sent down.

Wade Miller’s stuff last night was awful from the outset. His curve was flat, his fastball straight, his velocity down and his command was off. I am willing to give Miller a mulligan here but it was concerning inasmuch as it was a painful reminder that Curt Schilling is not a luxury for these Red Sox, but a necessity. Speaking of Curt, the news isn’t good on that front either. The Sox are reportedly eyeing the All-Star Break as a return date for their ace.

Yet for all the worry and angst fans must be feeling over this latest stretch, here is where the Sox stand. Having gotten nothing out of Curt Schilling, Keith Foulke, Alan Embree, Edgar Renteria and Kevin Millar, and performances well below expectations from Manny Ramirez, David Wells and to a lesser extent David Ortiz, the Red Sox stand 5 games out of first place and a half game behind the Yankees. Further, the Sox have played 27 road games and just 19 home games. They are still on pace to win 88 games.

As a purveyor of the long view, I invite you take a look at Boston’s hitting and pitching stats over the last 7 days. There’s just no way this will keep up. Try and hang in there. With the Bombers and the O’s coming up on the schedule it may get worse before it gets better.