Looking back at the first 55.5 percent of the Red Sox season

2. Jacoby Ellsbury. He has hit for power and average, stolen 28 bases and played a solid center field. Ellsbury is now the versatile All-Star the Sox hoped he would become.

3. Josh Beckett. It's hard to believe this is the same guy the Sox didn't trust to pitch in the first series of the year. Now he's the rock of their rotation.

Biggest surprises

1. The catchers. Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jason Varitek have a .766 OPS, second in the American League to the Tigers. SaltyTek even throws out runners.

2. Matt Albers. A bust in Baltimore, he has been one of the best relievers all season and emerged as a reliable late-inning choice.

3. Josh Reddick. His career stalled last year. But when the Sox needed an outfielder to help replace Carl Crawford, he delivered. Reddick has hit .396 in 18 games since being called up a second time.

Spring training story lines that proved untrue

1. The Sox will have trouble with lefthanders. The Sox are 21-11 against lefthanded starters and are hitting .281/.357/.442 against lefties. It's pretty much the same (.277/.352/.463) as they hit against righties.

2. Jonathan Papelbon is an endangered closer. Not so much. Papelbon is 20 for 21 in save situations with a 2.95 ERA.

3. Mike Cameron will be productive off the bench. He hit .149, was designated for assignment and then traded to the Marlins.

Biggest disappointments

1. Carl Crawford. It's going to get better (it has to right?) but you expect a heck of a lot more than .243/.275/.384 from a guy you invested $142 million in.

2. Bobby Jenks. The former White Sox closer has a 6.32 ERA and been on the disabled list twice. He's far out of the Terry Francona Circle of Trust.

John Lackey: There are extenuating circumstances, to be certain. But a 6.84 ERA is a 6.84 ERA.

Questions remaining to be answered

1. What will the trade deadline bring? The Sox need a right fielder. They could try to go big (like Carlos Beltran) or find somebody to use in a platoon (like Jeff Baker). The next few weeks will determine to what degree they seek pitching.

2. Who's the shortstop? It was Marco Scutaro Then it was Jed Lowrie. Now it's Marco Scutaro. If Lowrie gets healthy, can he take it back?