After an impressive win in New York against the Yankees the Red Sox headed to their wonderful home Fenway Park for a crucial 10 game Homestand.  Unfortunately first team coming into the 100 year old ballpark beauty was a formidable and hot Detroit Tigers game. This sent them into a tailspin losing streak that stretched into the next series vs. the Twins. Rumors of Bobby Valentine’s job being in jeopardy popped up again as the Sox didn’t quite play up to par. However what needs to be acknowledged is that Minnesota and Detroit are tough opponents and the Red Sox are still reeling from injuries and clubhouse controversies.

It seems that the players are coming around and sticking up for their manager. After all the trigger could have been pulled on several big trades as the July 31 trading deadline approached but Bobby Valentine must have spoken up for his core players as Beckett,Lester, Pedroia, Ellsbury , and Crawford remained with the Sox! Bobby Valentine is a good player’s manager and has done an amazing job considering all the injuries and pitching inconsistencies!
In the standings the Red Sox are primed for a good playoff possibility in the Wild Card Race and if in October the Sox are in and injured players are healthy every team in baseball has reason to be concerned.
So the stretch run is upon the Boston Red Sox. After a shaky bullpen almost lost Sunday night’s game the Sox held on for the important victory vs. the Twins. The Sox won 6-4 setting up a dramatic series vs. AL defending champion Texas Rangers. This is really an important chance for the Red Sox to shine and show they are contenders. Bobby Valentine will be pumped and ready to go as his managerial style is much like his good friend Tommy Lasorda where he is like a player-manager, one of the guys, pulling the rope too for each hard-fought Red Sox win. May there be many more from now until the end of October! Go Sox Go!!!!