The Red Sox are finally stepping up their game. 

After taking two against the Mariners in Seattle, one of two against the Rays at Tampa Bay and three of four against the supposed-to-be-nasty Philadelphia Phillies, our team is coming together. Even though we’re still in last place, we’re 20-21 and making moves in the AL East. 

Our two aces both posted two W’s this week (Lester and … yes, Beckett) and we smacked the shit out of the ball, cranking out 15 home runs over the last 7 days. I predict that the Red Sox bandwagon will start being overbooked by fake fans sometime between June 1st and June 10th.

Here's the player awards for this week for our Red Sox. 

Best Hitter: Shortstop Mike Aviles belted a homer in each game against the Phillies and had ten hits on the week. Yeah, he deserves it. 

Best Pitcher: Did anybody think that Josh Beckett would get this award this week? Surely I didn’t – I figured he was on his way out of here, but that’s not gonna be the case if Beckett continues to pitch the way he has, going over 7 innings in both starts this week and winning both games. 

Biggest Surprise: Jarrod Saltalamacchia – even though Salty is undoubtedly streaky, when this guy gets good wood on the ball, watch out – it’s going far. He’s a big boy. 

Biggest Disappointment: All of the Haters who were counting the boys of Boston out of it in early May. 

Unsung Hero: Sir Jon Lester – two big wins this week including a complete game against the Mariners. The kid’s always been and always will be a fighter.  

Biggest Bum: Bobby V's pet Nick Punto is useless, posting a .067 batting average so far this May. I’m comfortable with an infield composed of Gonzalez, Pedroia, Aviles and Middlebrooks – no need for Punto in there.

Injuries: Wonderboy Daisuke Matsuzaka received an injection for a strained right trapeze muscle. We’re never ever again going to get to see this little shit pitch. Our $100 million mistake, ladies and gentlemen. In news about real men, Ryan Sweeney might have a concussion - not a good thing considering he was swinging a hot bat. 

Coming Up: Three at Camden Yards against the division-leading Baltimore Orioles, then a well deserved day off before they return to Fenway and take on the Rays again. 

This is a big series for the Red Sox against the Orioles – a couple of weeks ago, they got swept by the Birds at Fenway Park for the first time since Cal Ripken’s prime, circa 1994.