While Boston wasn't able to lock down the series sweep over the weekend, taking three of four games from the division-rival Rays is a great feat. The successful series appears to have elevated the Red Sox past their dreadful 1-5 start to the season, and Bobby Valentine looks to have his team headed in the right direction.
Monday's 1-0 loss may have delayed Boston's return to .500 baseball another few games, but while the Red Sox weren't able to pick up the win, they did finally see the elite potential expected from Daniel Bard. Bard only allowed one run and struck out seven through 6 2/3 innings on the mound, and he showed that he may indeed have the stuff to be a legitimate starter in the major leagues.
David Ortiz also displayed some serious pop over the weekend, looking like the same Big Papi that Red Sox fans have grown to love over his eight seasons in Boston. Ortiz went 9-for-16 at the plate, smacking one home run and driving in eight RBIs over the four-game stretch.
The most surprising positive from the weekend series, though, may have been the pitching out of the bullpen. After a brutal start to the season, which saw Red Sox relievers allow 13 runs in 13 2/3 innings over the first six games, the Boston bullpen has finally found its groove. The Red Sox' bullpen only allowed one earned run over 9 1/3 innings in the series, with the lone run coming in the ninth inning of Friday's 12-2 blowout.
Overall, it was a solid weekend for the Red Sox, but what was the biggest take away from the successful series?
What’s the biggest positive take away from the Red Sox weekend series?
