Note: This is the 2nd in a year long series of posts on the 2009 Red Sox season.  I’ll be taking a look at the team’s progress in 20 game increments throughout the year.  The first edition is here.

After 40 games:

24 wins 
16 losses
1.5 game out of first

When we look back on games 20 thru 40, we may look at them as the part of the season when the Sox treaded water for a bunch of games.  There was a good homestand, followed by a not so great road trip, and the beginnings of a series sweep against Toronto back home at Fenway.

It was also a 20 game period where the Sox were without Kevin Youklis (15 game DL stint) and Daisuke Matsuzaka (extended DL stint most likely due to the World Baseball Classic). 

Julio Lugo came back and showed that he can hit, but neither he or Nick Green seem to be able to lock down the position defensively.  Jed Lowrie will definitely have a shot at the position when (if) he comes back this year.

Asides from Dice-K, the rest of the front end of the rotation (Beckett and Lester) hasn’t exactly wowed the leage

Oh, and Papi finally hit a home run.  Finally.  But he’s still a big question mark.  There’s no doubt the Sox are thinking about a trade for a hitter.  Gammons has suggested the Delcarmen for Nick Johnson is a possibility.  (more on this in a future post)

So to be 1.5 games out after 40 isn’t so bad.

Just how good is Jason Bay?

Insanely good.  He’s on track for about 50 home runs this year.  Manny who?

Best moment of the second 20 games

Papi’s 1st homer of the season.  No doubt.  Priceless reactions in the dugout and a Fenway curtain call.  The love for this man is appropriate.  Despite totally underprodcing this season, his Red Sox legacy is secure and deserving.  He helped deliver two world championships.  Never forget that.