I remember that most of the critics last year said that the Sox could not repeat their record in One Run ballgames in 2006. In April of 2005 the Sox went 10-3 in One Run games on their way to a 17-7 April record.

 

They were right, but not because the Sox could not repeat that feat, just that they would not have to.

 

With the added offense this year, the Sox have only had 3 One Run games, with a 1-2 record. They have scored at least 3 runs in all but one game, and in that game they scored 2.

 

So with the improved offense and quality starting pitching, this team looks to be set for a strong run. It is hard for the critics to bad mouth 33-4, that is the run differential in the Sox last five games.

 

And to think this offense is still not hitting on all cylinders. They have done this with very little production from their 8-9-1 hitters.

And to think this offense is still not hitting on all cylinders.  They have done this with very little production from their 8-9-1 hitters.

Well our 2-6 hitters aren't going to keep up what they've done. This is probably about as good as it'll get offensively because those batters are going to come down to earth a bit while 8-9-1 hopefully improve. But yeah the offense has been much better than I expected so far.

Well our 2-6 hitters aren't going to keep up what they've done.  This is probably about as good as it'll get offensively because those batters are going to come down to earth a bit while 8-9-1 hopefully improve.  But yeah the offense has been much better than I expected so far.

I agree that the 2-6 hitters won't keep up the current pace, but none of them are going completely out of the norm like Chris Shelton. That bodes well for when the 8-9-1 hitters come around.

I agree that the 2-6 hitters won't keep up the current pace, but none of them are going completely out of the norm like Chris Shelton.  That bodes well for when the 8-9-1 hitters come around.

 

Chris shelton was a career .332 hitter in the minors with a .967 ops... he had also shown very good plate discipline. I don't think it is impossible for him to end up with as high as .950 ops... though i think he will settle into the low .900 range. Afterall he did have a .870 ops in over 400 plate appearances last year. I do love the fact he is doing this with only 285 at-bats in doube and triple a combined though.

Chris shelton was a career .332 hitter in the minors with a .967 ops... he had also shown very good plate discipline. I don't think it is impossible for him to end up with as high as .950 ops... though i think he will settle into the low .900 range. Afterall he did have a .870 ops in over 400 plate appearances last year. I do love the fact he is doing this with only 285 at-bats in doube and triple a combined though.

Yet another wonderful move by Dave Littlefield leaving him unprotected in the Rule V Draft.

The Sox are 4-0 in 2-run games, meaning that they are 5-2 overall in games decided by two runs or less. That is actually slightly better than last year.

 

Warning: small sample size.