I hope it’s not an aberration, but the Sox have come out like they plan on taking control of the division. They have won 2 straight in Detroit, beating Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer in the process.

That’s the first time this season the Sox have beaten a Central team, not named Cleveland, in 2 straight games. 8-2 and 5-0 scores look good. The Sox are even getting clutch hitting, going 8-24 with RISP through the first 2 games.

Juan Pierre has come out like a man on a mission. 5 for 10, with 2 stolen bases so far. I told you, if Pierre reverts back to his previous seasons play, the rest of the division is in trouble. It’s only 2 games, but things look good for the much maligned Pierre. Talking to Pierre at the end of spring, he said as he was walking to his car, “Get ready to party, we are gonna win big this year”. I hope his prediction comes true.

Carlos Quentin is also looking quite spry, going 6-9 with a home run and 3 RBI. Not bad for the All-Star.

Can we quiet the Dayan Viciedo talk for a bit? Viciedo is playing right field in Charlotte, or Quentin’s position with the Sox. I keep hearing that Viciedo or Quentin would move to left or center to fill Pierre’s or Rios’ position. That’s not as easy as it sounds, folks. Quentin wasn’t the best left fielder when he played over there 2 seasons ago, and no one on the Sox roster, except maybe Lillibridge, can play center. Are you really gonna promote Viciedo, and stick him in an unfamiliar position? And, have you ever seen the size of Viciedo? I have, and it’s hard for me to see him prowling center field of US Cellular. Unless he has gone on slim fast, that 230 lbs he is listed at, is very generous. I guess anythings possible.

I read again that with the Marlins job available, that this will be the last year for Ozzie Guillen in Chicago. I guess it’s possible, as Ozzie’s kid plays ball down in the state, and he has a home down their, as well, but I still have a hard time seeing him leaving the Windy City on his own accord. He is revered in Chicago, and loved by the owner, but weirder things have happened. It will be enticing for Guillen, who would get to open the new Stadium in Miami as the new manager of the Miami Marlins. They do have quite a but of talent down their as well, led by Josh Johnson and Hanley Ramirez. From a personal angle, I think it would f’n suck. Wasn’t there also a rumor that the Sox offered Guillen to Florida for Logan Morrison this past off-season? If that is true, than Guillen is out of Chicago at the end of the year.

Maybe Ozzie would trade for Adam Dunn, who may be swinging his way out of Chicago. Dunn had a real nice 2 RBI single on Friday, but came back with another 3 strikeouts on Saturday, giving him 4 in two games. His average is now at .159.

The Sox have received 2 great starts from Gavin Floyd and Edwin Jackson post All-Star break. Floyd allowed 1 earned rn in 7.2 ip on Friday, while Jackson threw a complete game shutout on Saturday. That was Jackson’s first complete game since his no hitter last year against the Rays. He was with the D’backs at the time.

The best thing about Jackson’s effort was his pitch count. He threw 101 pitches vs. the Tigers. That is normally his pitch count through 6 innings. Wow, what a revelation, pitch in the zone and your pitch count actually drops. Let’s see if he can keep that going in his next start.

Loved the throw back uniforms the Sox wore, but I really want them to wear the shorts from the 70′s. That would be a hilarious.

Nice to see the Sox solve Scherzer. The first time they faced him this year, he shut them out over 8 innings. He only gave up 2 runs on Saturday, but that was enough for him to lose.

People want to see more out of Gordon Beckham. Well, they are getting their wish. 4-8, 3 RBI, plus a stolen base for the 3rd year player. All the RBI came in the clutch. Huge singles off David Pauley on Friday, and Jose Valverde on Saturday. I don’t know what everyone expects. He is getting better by the day, and his play at second is second to none. He has great range, and the arm of a 3rd baseman.

I don’t know what the problem is, but why is Mark Teahen starting on place of Brent Morel. Is Morel sick, or injured? Teahen is a better than average player, it’s unfortunate that injuries have derailed his Sox career. I know it doesn’t mater on the baseball field, but you won’t find a funnier guy than Teahen. And don’t confuse funny for lack of competitiveness.

Phil Humber and Brad Penny in the finale on Sunday. Penny has already beaten the Sox twice this season. Back in April he threw one hit ball over 7 innings, but the Sox got him for 3 runs in 5 innings in his 2nd start against them. Let’s see if they can complete the sweep, and get themselves back to within 1 game of the .500 mark.

Go Sox!!