The Nuggetpalooza this week is a little shorter than you’re used to, but I think you’ll find some interesting things in there anyway:

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* – Texas and Boston finished their season series with an average margin of victory of 6.40 runs, the largest margin in any major league season series since at least 2003 (min. 10 games):

6.40 – Red Sox vs. Rangers, 2011
5.87 – Brewers vs. Cardinals, 2007
5.80 – Red Sox vs. A’s, 2006
5.56 – Brewers vs. Cardinals, 2003
5.42 – Braves vs. Marlins, 2003

Since 2003, the Red Sox/Rangers series has had a 3.99 average margin (85 games), the highest of all series’ involving Boston (min. 50 games).

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* – John Lackey was the beneficiary of a line drive double play on Sunday, his first such play since last August 18. Here are the leaders in line drive DP’s since that date:

5 – Carl Pavano
5 – Jason Vargas
4 – CC Sabathia
4 – Doug Fister
4 – Joe Saunders
4 – Ubaldo Jimenez

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* – Since August 7, the Red Sox have hit just .172 (16-for-93) on full counts, the second lowest such average in the AL in that span:

.168 – Rays
.172 – Red Sox
.195 – Twins

Note this: Prior to August 7, the Sox hit .271 on 3-and-2 counts, the second HIGHEST average in the AL, trailing only the Orioles (.278).

And this: So can you guess which teams rank 1-2 in the AL in lowest average ALLOWED on 3-and-2 counts during that same span (since August 7)? Yep, the Rays (.135) and the Red Sox (.175).

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* – Erik Bedard, Boston’s new addition, has allowed the lowest on-base percentage in the majors this season on plate appearances lasting eight or more pitches (min. 20 such PA). Here are the AL leaders:

.174 – Erik Bedard, SEA/BOS (1-for-20, 3 walks)
.250 – Luke Hochevar, KC (2-for-23, 5 walks)
.261 – Josh Beckett, BOS (1-for-18, 5 walks)

Note this: John Lackey has allowed an OBP of .619 on 21 such PA (6-for-14, 7 walks), second highest/worst in the majors, better than only the Angels’ Joe Saunders (.625).

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* – Since July 18, Tim Wakefield has allowed two or more baserunners in 16 different innings and allowed at least one RBI in all 16 of them. Meanwhile, Andrew Miller has escaped without allowing an RBI six times in his last 16 innings where he’s allowed two or more baserunners (since July 20). For the season, Jon Lester leads the club with a 54.2% “escape percentage” after allowing 2+ baserunners, while Tim Wakefield and John Lackey have struggled:

54.2% – Jon Lester (32-of-59)
51.1% – Josh Beckett (23-of-45)
37.9% – Clay Buchholz (11-of-29)
29.6% – Andrew Miller (8-of-27)
26.5% – John Lackey (17-of-64)
19.1% – Tim Wakefield (9-of-47)

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* – After failing to record a 1-2-3 first inning in any of his first 17 starts this season, John Lackey has now retired the side in order in the first inning four times in his last seven starts dating back to August 1.

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* – The Red Sox allowed three triples on Sunday, the first time they’ve allowed three in a game at Fenway since the Mariners did it in 1987. It snapped a streak of 1,971 consecutive home games without allowing three three-baggers (a club record). The major league record, currently at 4,066 consecutive home games, is held by the Angels, who have NEVER allowed three triples in a home game in their 50-year existence.

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* – John Lackey is taking aim at a dubious record: Most hit batsmen in a season. He has hit 18 batters so far in 2011. The club record (since 1950) is 20, by Bronson Arroyo in 2004. The major league record in that same span is 21, by the Angels’ Tom Murphy, in 1969.

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Have a great week and look forward to my Patriots’ preview before their Monday night game against the Dolphins!