From our pals at Lester’s Legends, who graciously agreed to write a guest column for us, here are the top five stories for the Boston Red Sox. You can check out their great work at this link: Lester’s Legends.

2.  Chasing the Rays - I know, this isn’t exactly a Red Sox story as much as it’s a Rays story, but you cannot mention the Red Sox season to date and overlook the Tampa Bay Rays.  I didn’t imagine that the Red Sox would not be in first place for the majority of the season.  However, if I had two guesses as to who would unseat the defending AL East Champs, I would have guessed New York and then Toronto. (Ed. Note–we picked the Rays on this site!)  By no means did I envision a Worst-to-First run for the Rays.  The Red Sox still have 30 games remaining and are sitting at 3.5 back so I’m not ready to hand over the division title just yet, but for Tampa to take first place into September is impressive.  Even though I am a Red Sox fan, I am happy for baseball for this surprise.

3. Injuries - Papi, Lowell, Drew, Beckett, Dice-K…the list goes on.  Every team deals with injuries, but this year it seems the Red Sox have been asked to swallow more than in years past.  What amazes me is that the Red Sox sit with the fourth best record in baseball despite sub-par seasons from Big Papi (.267, 17 HR, 65) and Josh Beckett (11-9, 4.34 ERA).  When you consider the Red Sox two best offensive forces have either missed 50 games or have been traded and their top pitcher has been highly ineffective, you have to have admiration for the rest of the Red Sox scrappers.

4.  Youth is Served - The Red Sox avoided the temptation of depleting their farm system to acquire Johan Santana to start the season.  Sometimes the best moves are the ones you don’t make.  Jon Lester has rewarded them with a 12-5, 3.49 performance to date.  They have also got strong play from SS/3B Jed Lowrie who is hitting .299 with 19 Runs, 16 Doubles and 32 RBI in 53 games.  Defending Rookie of the Year Dustin Pedroia has avoided the sophomore slump by hitting .316 with 101 Runs, 173 Hits, 40 Doubles, and 68 RBI.  Jacoby Ellsbury isn’t hitting for average at .262, but he’s scored 74 Runs and terrorized the basepaths to the tune of 41 Stolen Bases. 

5.  Tito - I would be remiss to discuss the 2008 Red Sox and not mention Terry Francona.  The skipper has not only guided the Red Sox through the injuries and distractions to one of the best records in baseball, but he has displayed some amazing class along the way.  The way he handled the All Star Game in Yankee Stadium was a perfect example of that class.  He treated the stadium, the fans, and the players with the dignity that comes with sharing the same Pinstripes as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and countless others.  He let Derek Jeter hit in his customary #2 spot.  He made a defensive switch for A-Rod so he could receive a standing ovation (where was that this week).  He saved Mariano Rivera for his Closer.  The moves he made just oozed class.