Boston Red Sox get back over .500

Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

After a rough start the beginning of the 2014 MLB season, the defending World Champs are back over .500 for the first time since the first three games of the year. Boston beat the Rangers 5-2 to improve their record to 19-18.

After being nearly no-hit by Yu Darvish on Friday, Boston went on to win two in a row and take the series from the Rangers. John Lackey was on the mound to start, and went 7 innings, allowing only 2 runs on 7 hits. With dominant pitching handling the Rangers offense, Boston took to work at the plate, scoring 5 runs. Second baseman Dustin Pedroia hit his 2nd home run of the season (career home run #101) and lead Boston offensively. Boston has played well the past 2 games, and look to continue their hot streak against Minnesota on Tuesday.

After struggling to hit in the early stages of the season, their bats have come alive as of late. Their starting pitching and bullpen continue their impressive start where they stand 5th in the AL in ERA at 3.72. While the Yankees and Orioles both have gotten off to faster starts, Boston can easily string together a good week or two and be back at the top of the division like last season.

Boston still sits in third place in the AL East standings, two games behind the division leading Baltimore Orioles. With the returns of Shane Victorino and Will Middlebrooks in the past few weeks from their respective injuries, the Red Sox look poised to begin their ascent in the rankings.