The Second Cup: The best of last week

There are absolutely no acceptable excuses for sub-par Red Sox stories at this time of year. Think about the tumultuous week just past in Red Sox Nation. There was the ebb and flow of a lead over the Yankees. There was the re-emerging story of Tim Wakefield, suddenly a 15-game winner at 42. There was the injury to Doug Mirabelli and the seamless ascension of AAA stalwart - and sub-.200 hitter - Kevin Cash.

David Ortiz has plenty to smile about, including the pending eBay sale of his Mercedes coupe.

And luckily for all of we who were reading, there was plenty of good writing.

BOSTON GLOBE

New pitch, same story for Papelbon - Nick Cafardo tracks down Jonathan Papelbon in Tampa, getting to the bottom of his success at the back end of the bullpen, complete with a new pitch called - and we’re not making this up - a “slutter”.

Big Papi’s car is a big eBay hit - Andrew Ryan gets on the front end of the spin cycle about Big Papi’s eBay car sale, as strange a story as you’ll see this side of Manny Ramirez selling a grill on - you guessed it - eBay.

Fenway faithful - The Globe’s Bryan Marquand writes about the burgeoning legions of Red Sox fans all across the country.

Right doesn’t make might - Gordon Edes leads a Sox Notebook with the struggles of right fielder J.D. Drew, but may be outdone by the picture of a makeshift sign for centerfielder Coco Crisp.

Debut had the trimmings - Globe summer intern Daniel Malloy nails a piece about new Sox call-up Bobby Kielty, leading with his erstwhile out of control hair.

BOSTON HERALD

Dice cleans up on No. 4 - The Herald’s Rob Bradford weighs in on yet another mystery surrounding Daisuke Matsuzaka: How he dominates great hitters on every team.

Schilling ponders free agent future - Bradford writes about the radio address of Curt Schilling, who was feeling out interest in Tampa, among other places.

Close quarters in Sox ‘pen - Bradford strikes yet again, weighing in on the tight-knit Red Sox bullpen.

Jon Lester is still searching for consistency as a second-year Red Sox starter.

Wakefield right on money - All Cash-based puns aside, Jeff Horrigan writes a terrific game story about a terrific Wakefield win.

PROVIDENCE JOURNAL

Lester didn’t feel like winner after inconsistent showing - Steven Krasner’s focus on pitcher Jon Lester shines the frustrating truth on Lester’s inability to maintain consistent command.

Finally, embattled Gagne finds some breathing room - Sean McAdam’s best piece of the week talks about Eric Gagne’s struggle to earn redemption after a rocky start to his Red Sox career.

- Cameron Smith