A great season continues to improve.  The last few weeks have been the best case scenario for the Red Sox.  Not only did they win routinely, they gave Josh Beckett a chance to get completely healthy and throwing well with little worry moving forward.  And the Yankees looked like shit.  My favorite thing about living in New York is the cute chick turning to me in a bar, asking me if the Yankees won, and politely explaining to her “I’m not sure, but the Red Sox did.”  Yeah, I didn’t wanna talk to you either.

Chalk this one up to Cy Beckett and MVP Youkilis, who needs that Ortiz character anyway?  Brendan Donnelly continues to worry me with his command, but it didn’t hurt him last night.  Hideki Okajima picked up his second save in three days.  He’s become the de facto relief ace when Papelbon is unavailable and done everything that’s been asked of him.  A two headed bullpen monster looks like an extremely effective strategy, if everyone continues on their current performance level.  That’s a lot to ask, merely because they’ve been so good.  Brace yourselves for a few blown saves, they’re coming.

If you haven’t heard, there a reality dating show being filmed at Fenway during games.  I feel like its a flawed concept.  How does the guy on the show pay attention to the game with a camera in his face?  Either he doesn’t listen and watches the game, or he chats about shoes for 6 innings.  They’ve made it impossible to like him.  I would just pick the girl that can make the best case for the (un)importance of outfield defense.  I guess that’s why I’m not a reality TV star.

Tonight: Paul Byrd (5-1, 3.81, 1.27) at Daisuke Matsuzaka (7-2, 4.43, 1.24)

Rotoworld reports Ortiz will be back Wednesday to face Byrd, whom he has fared well against in the past (.899 OPS, 23ABs).  I don’t like this decision.  Who knows how much they’ll rely on him later?  A four-day vacation would serve him well.  Matsuzaka looks to bounce back from a wicked case of diarrhea.  “Dehydration,” you can’t fool me.