Can the Red Sox make it through a series without being swept or sweeping a team? The last 4 series the Red Sox have played have gone in sweeps; two in their favour and two in the other teams. This may not be a bad thing, but looking into it a little more I noticed a trend.

That trend is, our ability to play on the road stinks! Both sweeps against us were on the road, and we have been swept 4 times this season on the road already. Our road record for the month of May was 4-9 and 10-17 overall. These are not encouraging signs, but I am confident that the Red Sox will be able to turn things around away from Fenway.

On the positive, we have the best home record in the majors at 21-5. Our boys have also swept 4 series at home and have looked very dominant. If we play .500 ball on the road for the rest of the season, I don’t see any reason why the Red Sox cannot return to the post-season.

Yesterday, the Red Sox called up top pitching prospect Justin Masterson for the second time this season, and he did not disappoint. In his major league debut, Justin Masterson was called upon to start against the Los Angeles Angels and he pitched excellent (4 Ks/1 Earned Run/2 Hits/4 Walks/6.0 IP). Last night, Masterson went up against a Royals team that was no-hit the night before, and he pitched equally as dominant as he did in his first start (5 Ks/1 Earned Run/3 Hits/3 Walks/6.1 IP).

As a Red Sox fan, I’m hoping this kid can keep this up. However, he has never pitched above Double AA until his major league debut, so these brief spot starts may be just what he needs to develop. Prior to his first call up, in his first four starts this season in Double AA his numbers were pretty solid (1-0/23 Ks/0.95 ERA/1.00 WHIP/19.0 IP), but once he was sent down, they sort of came back down to Earth in his next four starts (0-3/14 Ks/7.46 ERA/1.76 WHIP/19.1 IP). His stats currently sit at (1-3/37 Ks/4.23 ERA/1.38 WHIP/38.1 IP) at Double AA Portland, but if you factor in the two Red Sox starts (2-3/46 Ks/3.55 ERA/1.28 WHIP/50.2 IP) he’s done an admirable job this season so far.

I’d love for the Sox to let him stay up and just show us what he can do, but their rotation is strong and it has several experienced arms in front of him that will be key for a stretch run. Overall, I really can’t see him staying up for too long or pitching very many games in the majors this season, but with a little grooming and the occasional big league game, this kid could develop into something special. Cheers to Justin Masterson, another young starter who is currently being developed in the Red Sox farm system.

Last night Jon Lester became the second Red Sox in the last 2 years to throw a No-Hitter. Lester has been slowly coming on over the past few weeks, and his performance tonight dictated that. I don’t think there is a greater story in baseball right now. After all this kid has gone through, I’m thrilled he put it all together on Monday night to notch himself this milestone. Congrats Jonny on a job well done.

Originally, I thought this No-No was going to be tonight, when Mr. Masterson hit the mound, however, since Lester threw one yesterday, I really can’t see back to back No-No’s. Let’s just hope Masty throws like he did in his first game and another quality outing comes of it. Go Bo Sox!