The French may say, "Comme ci, comme ca." This past weekend was so-so. The Red Sox ended the series against Toronto with two wins and two losses.

What's up Doc? It may have been asking too much for the Red Sox to beat Toronto's Roy Halladay, (a.k.a. "Doc") three times in a row. The Toronto Star reports that Halladay won the pitching battle . MLB.com says it may be because "Doc Changes Speed" However, it was close. The pitching lines look similar. Pedro Martinez: 7 innings, 8 hits and one walk and 6 strike-outs. Roy Halladay: 7 innings, 8 hits, two walks and 6 strike-outs. What more could you ask for? MLB.com writes Halladay is on top of his game The difference between the two: Halladay, the 2003 Cy Young Award winner, only allowed Boston to score one run; Pedro allowed three. The other difference-maker may have been the performance of Reed Johnson. The Star also reports the "Part-time Jay comes to play, not to pout".

The team is changing a little bit with addition of Kevin Youkilis, who made his Red Sox debut Saturday. He did so in style - going two-for-four with a home run. I must say I laughed when Youkilis returned to the dugout after the home run and no one greeted him. Rookie. Youkilis made the most of it though -- "high-fiving" the air. After a few moments the team welcomed its newest member.

The "greeting" didn't stop there. After the game Youkilis and Lenny Dinardo, the new lefty pitcher, had to make the trip down to Tampa Bay dressed as Hooter's waitresses. Boston.com writes Youkilis got a hoot out of initiation. I wish I had seen that. Is this a fun team?

I do not think that Youkilis will stay too long, but while the team plays through some injuries he is a welcome addition.

There may be some more new faces soon. Rumor has it that the Red Sox may be interested in Carlos Beltran. To acquire him they may trade Johnny Damon and Byung Hyun Kim. Wow, blockbuster. While I enjoy watching Damon hit, run and catch, I have real hard time watching him throw. Beltran is flat out better and he is younger. He is in his last year of a contract with Kansas City and if Boston could keep him beyond this year, would make for a fine centerfielder for years to come.

ESPN's Peter Gammons says that the Yankees are also willing to make a deal to grab Beltran. Are we in for another battle?

Beltran might very well be the best player in the game. To me he is second only to A-Rod. ESPN's Rob Neyer suggests Kansas City has to forget about this year and concentrate on the future. He writes It's all about '05 for Royals. I have to agree, send Beltran to Boston, but please do it quietly.

Monday was an "off-day." The team spent it in Tampa Bay where they will play the Devil Rays Tuesday through Thursday.Projo.com reports "Frayed Sox get breather

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