Sox swept in ugly fashion by Rays

-- Well if you've been paying attention yet, you've noticed the Sox aren't playing the hottest in baseball. That message became clear when they handed the golden broom to the Rays Monday afternoon to complete their sweep of the 4-game Fenway set.

After a brutally close two opener games in the series, the Sox got whipped in game 3-4 Sunday and Monday by counts of 6-1 and 8-2. The key recurring theme has been starting pitchers like Lester and Lackey, and spotty defensive play in the field, giving up an early lead of 3-0 or 4-0 to the Rays, who you just can't get that far behind and expect to win games against.

I've got to start taking some positives, with the negatives, away from these early games. After it's only April, but in a division like the AL East I have due reason to be concerned. That league is tight, and it's only getting tighter every year as only a max of two teams have a shot at the postseason and three of the best teams in baseball happen to be shooting for those spots. Any game against the Rays or Yankees, is a game worth winning whether it be April or August.

In that spirit, I'm introducing a new aspect to my blog posts, the Yay's and Nay's section for all those over-optimistic "yay-sayers" as well as the Debbie-downer "nay-sayers." Here it goes:

Yay's:
-Ortiz did hit 2 doubles in this series and blasted a near longball just foul of the Peske pole in a situation that would've won the game. Hey, it's not fanning on strikes so its progress and anything will do for poor Papi.

- Although Mike Cameron has been hurt this week with the weird kidney stone stuff, he is about as tough as they come and if he can play, he will play.

- Josh Beckett returned to form in Fridays start, looking incredible compared to his first 2 starts of the season.

Nay's:
- The losing streak is now to 5 games with a tough Rangers series coming up tonight.

- The 4-9 start to the 2010 season is the worst the Sox have had since 1996 when they went 2-11 out of the gate. The worst part is that their poor homefield start is the worst at Fenway since 1932.

- The Sox's trouble is currently at the plate, in the field and equally atop the mound for starters and relievers. No matter how you slice it, these guys are some serious talent who are just plain having a rough time.

- No date has been set for outfielder and lead-off man Jacoby Ellsbury, who is dealing with some seriously bruised ribs after a collision with Adrian Beltre on a sliding catch attempt last week. Word is he's officially been placed on the DL as of Monday.

- Mike Cameron started experiencing more lower abdominal pain Monday and is under re-evaluation and several tests to determine if there are other kidney stones trying to pass in the mix or what's going on with the 37-year-old outfielder. For the time Cam looks to be placed on the 15-day DL as well.
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