WHAT PAUL REVERE SAID, SORT OF: THE RED SOX ARE COMING

On April 19, the Red Sox having lost their fifth straight game, had a record of 4-9. Since then, they’ve gone 23-12 (.657). In that time, they’ve hit and scored 5.8 runs a game, while allowing 4.8 runs a game. Let’s not let those numbers alone, but place them in the context of the AL East (see table at bottom):

we’re seeing the AL East turn into what we thought it would be all winter long -- a fight between three terrific teams (parenthetically, David Ortiz in May: .368/.421/.809, nine home runs. Holy Turnaround, Batman!), with the added, unexpected twist that the Blue Jays have also played terrifically well. This is in large part due to unexpectedly good offensive performances from players like John Buck, Jose

WHAT’S THE USE OF WONDERIN’?
If Alfredo Aceves has to start the season on the disabled list, does that open up a spot for Mark Melancon, or is it more likely that Boone Logan claims the spot, giving the Yankees the fabled “second lefty?”

WHAT’S THE USE OF WONDERIN’? II
Anyone at all bothered by CC Sabathia finishing spring with an ERA of 7.23 in 18.2 innings? I don’t think I am as much as I have been bothered in the past by consuming a dish of bad mussels, and chances are it’s nothing to worry about given that his strikeout rate has been solid, but it’s definitely food for the paranoid.

NATE ROBERTSON TRADED, SO WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THE YANKEES?
Only this: Robertson is a 31-year-old left-hander who has been rather mercilessly

MAY JOBA WAVE FOREVER AS LONG AS WE STOP TALKING ABOUT HIM
It has been fascinating watching the different opinions on Joba Chamberlain’s future come out of Fortress Yankee. As The New York Times correctly observed this morning, this never would have happened in George’s day. Dave Eiland has an opinion. Pro scouting director Billy Eppler has an opinion. Brian Cashman has an open mind on Joba, but is of the opinion that his subordinates don’t have to hew to the company line. It’s a bright new day in Yankeeland. What it all accomplishes, beyond shifting the air around, is a different matter. The fact is, until Chamberlain shows consistent stuff and results, you can project any future for him, and by “you” I mean Cashman, Eiland, the sanctified ghost of Joe