Unlike 2010, replacements have Sox soaring

One year ago on this date, of course, the Red Sox were 49-36, four-and-a-half games out of first place, and devastated by injuries that would result in the team missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006. In 2011, they are three wins better in the win column, one loss better in the loss column. It's also fair to note that as horrific as they are - and presumably will always be - this weekend's opponent, the Baltimore Orioles, have made an 11-game improvement in the win column (36-49) from one year ago today. O's fever, baby.

So, what does that all tell you? I mean, I dunno.

What we obviously do know is that the Red Sox are far better than they were a year ago, much thanks to MVP Adrian Gonzalez (though George King has presumably already inked D. Jeter on his BBWAA ballot), the emergence of Jacoby Ellsbury as an All-Star player, the early-season resurgence of David Ortiz, and an odd-year season from Josh Beckett. 

And yet, the offense has holes, namely a gaping one in right field (You don't hear Theo Epstein crowing about his outfielder having the fourth-best OPS among American League outfielders these days, do you?). J.D. Drew has been so awful in his walk year that most Sox fans are excited over the possibility of acquiring Jeff Francouer, which is just about as fascinating as landing Larry Parrish at the trade deadline.

But can we forget about landing a bat by July 31? Carl Crawford will return at some point and hopefully put up Josh Reddick numbers, and maybe Reddick can slide over to right field where OPS (Overall Plummeting Skills) guy Drew can find room on the bench more often than not. (I guess you didn't know that Drew has the 25th-best OPS among all AL outfielders.) The Sox are first in pretty much every offensive category that matters. It's the pitching that frightens me. For now.