Inside this edition of “Without a Curse,” Alex provides a comprehensive look at the Red Sox as they head back to Fenway Park to take on the Indians over Memorial Day weekend.

It was a successful nine game road trip for the Red Sox, as they went 6-3. However, they dropped two of three games to the White Sox, and their offense continued to struggle. Alex looks at the lack of production the team has gotten out of Jacoby Ellsbury in the leadoff spot, and asks if it is time to demote Ellsbury to the bottom third of the lineup.

Will Middlebrooks had a difficult series in Chicago, as his nearly season-long skid continues. Alex says the Red Sox have no choice except to continue to play Middlebrooks at 3B, because of their lack of organizational depth behind him. Plus, this is the year in which we should find out if Middlebrooks can be a viable everyday 3B. The Red Sox shouldn’t allow their good start to deviate them for the long-term plan of this season, which is to bridge the gap to the “next great Red Sox team.” They have to see if Middlebrooks is going to be a part of it.

Jose Iglesias has begun to play various infield positions in Triple A, as the Red Sox may be grooming him for a utility role. Is this a sign that the Red Sox no longer view Iglesias as a potential shortstop of the future?

The Indians come to Fenway this weekend, and though Terry Francona returning is a big story, it isn’t the only story of the weekend. Alex says that is a testament to John Farrell, and how the Red Sox have returned to stability this season.

In the “Around the League” segment, Alex looks at the AL East standings, where the Orioles and Rays are experiencing troubles with their bullpens.

Don Mattingly called his underperforming Dodgers team this week, and questioned their baseball character. The commonalities between this year’s Dodgers team and the Red Sox of 2011 and 2012 continue to increase.

The Nationals remain around the .500 mark, and though Alex isn’t worried about them, he is worried about Bryce Harper’s possible fear of outfield walls.

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Inside this edition of “Without a Curse,” Alex talks about the suddenly red hot Red Sox, as they have won five of six games on their current nine game road trip.

Alex talks about two potentially hallmark come from behind wins on Thursday and Friday night, and how though it may sound like a cliche, those kinds of wins are indicative of a team’s character. The 2012 Red Sox would not have won on those two games.

Dustin Pedroia had a terrific weekend, and though the power production is down, he’s had a sensational start of the season. Alex discusses the Pedroia and Robinson Cano comparison, and wonders why this debate hasn’t raged on like the Nomar and Jeter comparison of last decade. Could it be a commentary on the lack of venom currently associated with the Red Sox and Yankees rivalry?

David Ortiz’ power outburst on Saturday night, John Lackey’s superb start on Sunday, Andrew Bailey’s return and more Red Sox notes are discussed as well.

In the “Around the League” segment, Alex looks at the AL East standings, where the Orioles are facing serious adversity for the first time this season.

Terry Francona’s Indians lead the AL Central, as they gear up to head to Fenway Park this upcoming weekend. Alex says starting pitching has been the biggest key to Cleveland’s 14-4 month of May.

The Dodgers and Angels continue to slump, as the Dodgers blew two late leads against the Braves over the weekend. Though the Dodgers and Angels are better than this, they may not be that much better.

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In this edition of “Without a Curse,” Alex recaps the first two games against the Rays, and previews the rubber match of the series tonight.

Alex talks about how a struggling offense, and those damned catwalks bit the Red Sox in the loss on Tuesday night. There is nothing we can do about how aesthetically displeasing Tropicana Field is, but can’t we fix the ground rules surrounding the catwalks? It would be a shame if an important playoff game was decided because of those things. (Which is possible, because in case you haven’t noticed, the Rays are good now.)

Jon Lester, for the second consecutive start, rescued the Red Sox from falling into an even greater losing skid. Lester moved up to fifth all-time on the Red Sox strikeout list last night, and put forth another excellent performance in the win. Plus, Stephen Drew hit a grand slam! So there’s that…

The trade rumors surrounding Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Daniel Bard’s continued struggles in the minor leagues are talking about too.

In the “Around the League” segment, Alex takes a look at the AL East standings, as the Blue Jays have seemed to begin to hit their stride.

The Mets have dominated headlines this week for all of the wrong reasons, as utility player Jordany Valdespin continues to cause controversy with his antics on and off the field. Yes, a utility player has caused this much commotion…

Bryce Harper has been in the news this week too, after he collided with an unpadded scoreboard in Dodger Stadium on Monday night. The fact that this story has dominated ESPN for the past week, Alex says, is a great thing for baseball (the injury, of course, isn’t).

Email Alex at areimer@bu.edu, and follow him on Twitter @AlexReimer1.

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In this edition of “Without a Curse,” Alex speaks with Steve Buckley of The Boston Herald. Alex and Steve spend the bulk of their time discussing whether it is appropriate to openly speculate about a player using PEDs, as columnist Dan Shaughnessy did with David Ortiz last week.

The Red Sox have lost seven of their last nine games, and have fallen to third place in the AL East. Alex looks at a disappointing weekend against the Blue Jays, and the Red Sox’ continued struggles with runners in scoring position.

The Red Sox are 3-7 this season when they’ve allowed four or five runs, as it seems as if they can only win consistently when their pitching is dominant. Unfortunately, even with Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz pitched as well as they are, the pitching isn’t always going to be dominant. The Red Sox have to win more games when their pitching is merely okay if they’re to seriously contend for a playoff spot.

In the “Around the League” segment, Alex talks about the first place Yankees, who continue to defy logic. The Yankees have failed to develop more than a handful (maybe) of regular contributors from their farm system over the past decade, but yet they still continue to win. Is it just sustained luck, or is there a formula to their success across all levels of free agency?

Speaking of free agency, the Cubs extended Anthony Rizzo for seven more years over the weekend. Is that extension another nail in the coffin for the future of the free agent market?

To close out the “Around the League” segment, Alex tells you how baseball can win back the 20-somethings, and ascend to popularity among the youth of America. It’s all about making the product more accessible, and a bill that was introduced in the senate last week may begin to start that process.

Email Alex at areimer@bu.edu, and follow him on Twitter @AlexReimer1.

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Inside this edition of “Without a Curse,” Alex looks at a Red Sox team that is still in first place, but has lost five of their last six games.

Alex first talks about the carryover from the allegations against Clay Buchholz last week, and the recent reports of Buchholz doctoring the baseball with a combination of sunscreen and rosin. Another chapter in the saga will be written this weekend, as Buchholz takes the mound against … THE BLUE JAYS!

The Red Sox walked off with the win on Monday night against the Twins, and Stephen Drew was the hero. Alex declares the Drew vs. Iglesias argument to be over, and says rationality won out. Don’t look now, but Drew is actually even having a better season than Albert Pujols is…

Joel Hanrahan, after blowing the save on Monday night, has been placed on the DL for the second time this season. Though it’s early to make a definitive judgment, Alex asks if the Red Sox may wind up spending more money to replace Jonathan Papelbon at closer than it would’ve cost to keep him. Unfortunately, it looks as if it may be trending in that direction.

Speaking of trends, Felix Doubront has seemed to be trending out of favor with John Farrell and the Red Sox, as Allen Webster took his turn in the rotation this week. Webster pitched poorly, so it is unlikely he will remain in the rotation. But, the Red Sox may have sent Doubront a strong message with this recent demotion.

David Ortiz’ hit streak came to an end on Wednesday night, but the PED suspicion is only beginning. Alex says it’s fair to ask that question of Ortiz, just as it’s fair to ask that question of any athlete today.

In the “Around the League” segment, Alex analyzes the AL East standings, and talks about how a troubling early season trend with the Rays. He also sends well wishes to JA Happ, who was hit in the head with a line drive on Tuesday night. The day is coming when pitchers will wear helmets on the mound, and incidents like these should begin to expedite that process.

The need for instant replay, Roy Halladay’s pending surgery and the Angels continuing struggles are talked about as well.

Email Alex at areimer@bu.edu, and follow him on Twitter @AlexReimer1. Alex finished his sophomore year of college this week, so … yeah. He just wanted you all to know that for some reason.

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In this edition of “Without a Curse,” Alex recaps a disappointing weekend in Texas, in which the Rangers swept the Red Sox.

The Red Sox are now 9-9 on the season against teams that have winning records. How much does their mediocre performance against winning clubs detract from their terrific start of the season?

The biggest issue for the Red Sox over the weekend was their poor performance with runners in scoring position, and Alex says a significant percentage of the blame has to fall on Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia. Though both Ellsbury and Pedroia have gotten on base at respectable clips, neither has provided much in terms of power thus far. For the Red Sox to continue to score runs, they need Ellsbury and Pedroia to provide more power at the top of the lineup.

Clay Buchholz takes the mound tonight against the Twins in his first start after being accused of throwing spitballs in Toronto. How will Buchholz respond to his critics? Also, will the Red Sox have Andrew Bailey this week when they return to Fenway Park?

In the “Around the League” segment, Alex looks at the AL East standings, and gives credit to … the Yankees teams that have “bought wins” over the past decade. The Blue Jays, Angels and Dodgers have all tried to buy wins this season, and have failed, just as the Red Sox failed in 2011 and 2012. At least the Yankees teams that have outspent the competition actually won.

At the end of the show, Alex plays his brief commentary on Jason Collins, the first openly gay male American professional athlete in one of the major American sports. The commentary originally aired on Alex’ NFL podcast, “Football Nation Today.”

Email Alex at areimer@bu.edu, and follow him on Twitter @AlexReimer1.

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