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Thanks to their current hot streak, the Red Sox season has been, for the time being at least, salvaged.
Weeks after it appeared as though the second half of the season would be full of irrelevance, the Red Sox are back in contention and inviting hope for a meaningful month of September...and perhaps beyond.
The turnaround is due to, yes, outstanding staring pitching, beyond-dependable relief work, stellar defense and, at last, a league-average offense.
But lets not forget Chad Tracy.
Still no more than the teams interim manager, Tracy has been the perfect steward in his role.
He never panicked and never showed any signs of frustration while the team struggled to find its way.
In todays game, the role of manager continues to constantly evolve, but perhaps the two biggest prerequisites are to set the proper tone and foster good communication with the players.
Tracy has done both from the beginning.
He showed patience with journeymen pressed into more regualr roles and confidence in unproven rookies.
He benched Caleb Durbin for a week, but never abandoned him.
Hes leaned on three rookie starters, but never too much.
Not that its bought him much of anything.
He still holds the clunky interim title and that likely wont change until after the season.
His fate is inexorably tied to that of Craig Breslow; if the latter isnt retained beyond this year, it would seem a long shot that Tracy will keep his job under a new lead baseball executive.
But thats months away.
For now, no matter what happens, Tracy deserves loads of credit.
He still hasnt managed a game in which Garrett Crochet was his starting pitcher and he had all of a week of Roman Anthony before injury struck.
And yet, here are the Red Sox, having grown from also-rans to legitimate contenders.
Someone should thank the manager for a job well done.
The Home Run Derby was more watchable this year than its been in some time.
Funny that baseball got better when it introduced a pitch clock, while the derby got better by getting rid of one.
For that matter, even though the game itself lacked drama, last Tuesday was a reminder that the All-Star Game in baseball is, far and away, the most compelling All-Star game in any sport.
One thing, though: the elimination of the league offices, the increase in interleague play and the standardization of umpiring crews have all helped blur the lines between the leagues.
So how come the AL has been so dominant (11-2 in the last 13 meetings)? Tom Brady has become how do I put this politely? a walking contradiction.
Known for his obsession with nutrition, he also has become a spokesperson for a host of fast food brands (Subway, Pizza Hut, etc.) And while he insists he doesnt seek attention, he shows up to a pre-fight press conference to slap Jake Paul in the face.
Make it make sense.
Pro golfers are an entitled lot in general, but Bryson DeChambeau seems to take that to a whole other level on a regular basis.
Others have suggested it, so Im not the first.
But the Washington Nationals Luis Garcia Jr.
makes a lot of sense as a Red Sox trade target.
Garcia offers versatility (he can play all four infield spots), offers thump (20 homers, .554 slugging percentage) and wouldnt be as costly as some other options.
Garcia is lefthanded on a team which is already too lefthanded, but you cant have everything.
Its quite odd that the NHL and MLB schedules for next season came out on the same day last Thursday.
Odd, because one season starts in late September and the other begins in late March.
Once again, the greed of NFL owners knows no bounds.
If NFL stadia can install and maintain real grass playing fields for the World Cup, it can be done for football, too.
Another reminder that owners cant bring themselves to prioritize the well-being and safety of their players whenever theres money involved.
I have not ever been, am not now and dont anticipate ever being a soccer fan.
But that doesnt mean I cant appreciate the pageantry and excitement of the World Cup, and the joy its brought to so many this summer.
Bravo.
Theres talk that the Red Sox might be in search of a shortstop at the deadline, maybe even one with multiple years of control remaining.
Francisco Lindor, Willy Adames, Zach Neto are among the names being floated.
But that hardly makes much sense, especially when the Sox have a 1) a year left on Trevor Storys deal 2) Marcelo Mayer as part of their depth chart and 3) Franklin Arias, the highest-rated prospect in their system.
Recommended reading: Tana Frenchs Cal Hooper trilogy, a masterclass in writing and character development.
Im kicking myself for taking so long to get to The Keeper, the final installment.
Crime writing doesnt get any better than this.
The introduction of the 84-game NHL schedule, which was thought necessary by exactly 32 people in North America, means that the regular season now stretches into eight months, from late September to mid-April.
Throw in the Stanley Cup playoffs marathon and there are now just two months without any consequential hockey at all: July and August.
Who is Jarren Duran angry with today? - Red Sox starter screamed, went crazy with Chappys son after Wilyer Abreus homer - How Wilyer Abreus main focus from winter helped Red Sox to one of best wins of the year - Red Sox reactions: Wilyer Abreus heroics (another 2-HR game) help win streak reach 12 - Red Sox-Rays game delayed due to rain Saturday - Red Sox trade addition gets first start Saturday over Jarren Duran (lineups and more).