It's Not Interleague 2006. That's Not a Bad Thing.

In 2006, the Red Sox racked up the best interleague record in history. They steamrolled through the NL East, winning all but two games in a stunning stretch in which their divisional lead grew to its largest of the season.

Everyone remember what happened next. Curt Schilling suffered the first of what eventually became a series of injuries, Jason Varitek went down for nearly the rest of the year with a completely debilitating injury, the pitching collapsed, Jonathan Papelbon's arm fell off at the shoulder, Craig Hansen and Manny Delcarmen showed they weren't ready for the big time, and the Red Sox gave up what was once a near insurmountable divisional lead in a five-game blaze of glory in Boston, at the hands of the Yankees. It was almost enough to return some of the pre-2004 luster and stigma to that franchise south of Yawkey Way.

Well, the 2007 interleague campaign proved a bit more trying. Sure, the Sox still won a hell of a lot more than the lost, but they lost enough to keep things interesting, perhaps none more than when the Rockies took two of three at Fenway, including losses by Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling.


Of course, 2007 ended a lot more satisfyingly than 2006 did. Struggles against the Rockies and, to a lesser extent, the Diamondbacks, may have seemed problematic at the time, but in the end they made the Sox more adaptable come the World Series. And don't think that Beckett didn't appreciate the early looky-loo at the Rockies, despite the momentary setback.

Cut to 2008. The Sox jumped out of the interleague gate with a spark, sweepuing the Brewers and rolling through the Reds and Phillies before hitting the bottom with a thud, dropping two of three to the Cardinals. Since then, they've taken a step forward, though it didn't come without a bumpy road. Think back to last week. Oh, how the days go so fast. Still, a series win against the Diamondbacks, followed by a win Friday night in Houston sets a strong tone for a solid, winning interleague record.

So, one question remains: Is that such a good thing? Simple answer: Yes, it's a good thing. After all, both the 2004 and 2007 teams had good interleague campaigns -- the 2004 squad was 9-9, 2007 was 12-6 -- but you don't want to be TOO good. After all, the post-interleague confidence of 2006 evaporated, leaving a so-so Red Sox team with a fragile psyche that crumbled in the clutch. We've already gone over that meltdown, and it's far too painful to visit twice in a single post.

With that in mind, here's the rest of the Red Sox' interleague slate:

Two in Houston; Lester vs. Backe, Beckett vs. Moehler
One vs. Milwaukee: Date, pitchers TBD

Three more games, which ensures that the Sox will finish the slate with a winning record, even if Boston drops all three. Which is not to say WMYM is lobbying for that alternative, we're just saying that we're superstitious, and the way this interlague slate is shaping up beats the 2006 alternative.

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