Over .500 is better than under .500...

... and the 2012 Red Sox have finally gotten there, in their 7th attempt. Each of the first six games that they played with a .500 record, they lost. Last night, they took the field with a .500 record and won. Without Ellsbury, Crawford and Lackey.  Without Pedroia. Facing Justin Verlander.

Through 49 games, they're two games behind where they were a year ago (25-24 vs. 27-22) and three games further out of first place. In a league where run scoring has increased by about 5%, the Sox have increased their runs scored and runs allowed both by about 13%, resulting in a Pythagorean winning percentage that is very close to where it was a year ago at about .537.