Party Like It's 1999

We're going to party like it's 1999 because at 5-1 the Red Sox are off to their best start since 1999. The Sox completed the three game sweep of the Orioles and have completed their season-opening road trip. Josh Beckett makes his Fenway debut in the home opener on Tuesday.

I'm going with a quick-hits style post today.

- I thought Schilling got squeezed yesterday. It happened to Papelbon today. Good to see him work through it, not let it affect him, and earn his 3rd save in as many chances without allowing a run.

- Miguel Tejada is a big hypocrite. He complained (and cried) when DLowe make a crotch-related gesture after getting the final out in the series clincher against the A's in 2003. Tejada said his kids were watching and that the gesture was inappropriate. If you've ever read Tejada's lips during a game, he's one of the most foul-mouthed athletes in the game today.

- Wakefield and Bard looked much better today. What a relief. In fact Wakefield didn't allow an earned run today.

- Foulke looked great today. He's gotten better with each appearance. Personally, I hope he stays in the 8th inning set-up role and Papelbon remains the closer. I think Timlin-Foulke-Papelbon is great sequence to close out the tight games.

- Alex Gonzalez has made some great plays in the field and almost made some others. He doesn't seem quite as smooth as Orlando Cabrera or Pokey Reese but I think he has a better arm. I also feel like he's not totally in rhythm yet and that he will continue to appear more smooth and make more plays.

- Lowell has been great defensively so far. Hopefully he can hit for a respectable average with moderate power.

- Ortiz had two hits today against the defensive shift. It was a great job after struggling earlier in the series.

- Adam Stern came through today. He could be a good contributor next year for the big league club.

- Wily Mo looked awful yesterday. He chased every fastball that was high and away. So much for his supposedly improved plate discipline.