So I try and stand strong and put on a happy face but I would be lying if I didn’t concede that sometimes I have serious doubts about this team. The same irrational panic mode that others tend to enter into can afflict me as well. So yes, I was one of the few million or so New Enlanders you could hear simultaneously breathing a sigh of relief last night.

“These guys really can still put up some runs. They really can get some quality starting pitching from someone not named Curt Schilling. And, get this, they can do it in the same game!”

The beatdown is a staple of quality teams. About once a week, a good team overwhelms its opposition. They will get to a starter early, tear through mediocre middle relievers, and all the while simply ask a dependable starter to throw strikes and protect a wide margin. In the first half of the year, the Red Sox would do this on a regular basis. Since the All-Star Break, not so much. There was the 7-0 win at home against Oakland, the only win of a 3-1 series loss, and a 13-5 victory the following week at McAfee Stadium but really that has been about it.

Last night’s 9-2 pummeling of Baltimore was particularly encouraging for two reasons. One, it wasn’t David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez carrying the offense. Both contributed, but it was a balanced attack that led to the nine runs. Two, David Wells was very good. His stuff was not overpowering, as he only had four strikeouts and he did yield nine hits, but his trademark pinpoint accuracy allowed him to get out of innings quickly. If ever Wells were suited to pitch in front of a Boston Red Sox team, it’s this one because of its excellent defensive play. An accurate pitcher without Hall-of-Fame stuff willing to pound the zone can easily succeed in front of this Sox defense. Wells has allowed a number of hits over his last two starts, 17 in 13 innings to be exact, but he has also just walked two. More importantly, he has been better in each successive start since coming off of the DL.

Through the five game losing streak I tried to encourage people not to bail on these guys. They’re good, and had (are still in the midst of?) a rough stretch. By the same token, I am not even close to ready to declare this team back after one win against the Orioles. They are sending Jason Johnson to the hill today, the Orioles will start a resurgent Daniel Cabrera tomorrow, and then after Baltimore leaves tomorrow evening, the two best baseball teams in the world swing through town for eight games. A lot can still go wrong, but it’s nice to know the Sox still have it in them to lay one on a team the way they did last night.

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It’s scoreboard watching season, so be sure to be stopping over to Bronx Banter, Yanks Fan v. Sox Fan, Exile in Wrigleyville, etc. The Yanks lost last night, Jose Contreras was excellent in a White Sox win over Detroit and A.J. Burnett had his way with the Twins as rookie phenom Matt Garza struggled in his debut.