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I think last night the team missed Scott Williamson. He's the perfect guy to help bridge the gap if a pitcher has to exit early (as Curt did last night) and missing him caused a big whole in the pen.

Ortiz, Francona (sorta) bashed Lowe after his last start.

I wouldn't go more than 14-15. He's part of the heart and soul of the team right now, but at > 15 mil / season....you could probably get 2 pitchers

I just have no interest in watching these guys have batting practice, and giving trophies for who's best at batting practice. Notice I said I wouldn't watch the All-Star game either....It's just a joke these days

I hope Giambi drops out.... Even if he doesn't....he doesn't have much of a shot to win anyway...

Let's hope the high-powered offense keeps scoring runs, and Bronson pitches well....oh yeah, and the bullpen doesn't blow it....

I heard him, Zenny! That's the first time he's bashed ANYONE.....

honestly, I hope that you're right. I just have that sinking feeling.....

Boston hopes to keep hot vs another Wild-Card contender. Last series before the All-Star break. Arroyo is 2-7 with a 4.50 era has been throwing better of late. Joaquin Benoit is 3-3 with a 6.03 ERA. The keys to the game tonight: Boston getting the early lead...and holding it (isn't that the key to every game?) Arroyo deserves better than a 2-7 record. Let's hope the offense (and defense) give him some support.

Most of this stuff has already been said, but I'll just spit out my opinion anyway: The moneyball theory works....in the regular season. Getting guys on base and waiting for the big boppers is a recipe for success when facing teams like Baltimore, Tampa Bay, etc who have weak pitchers. The problem is that it doesn't work in the playoffs. Games are typically closer, pitchers/teams are better, and three-run homers just don't come as often. This is when you have to be able to manufacture runs. I site the Atlanta Braves as an example for my argument. They have had TONS of post-season success getting good pitchers and waiting for the 3-run homer. However, they are infamous for their post-season failure. Oakland hasn't won a post-season series since the early 90s. YES, stealing, hit and runs, etc are risky. The Red Sox even killed a few rallies against the Yankees in the 2003 ALCS by trying to put runners in motion and getting double plays. Maybe they weren't doing it in the right situation, or maybe they didn't have the right people. It's a high risk, high reward situation. Small-ball wins championships. The Marlins and Angels proved that, and the Yankees teams who won three years in a row proved that too. If you can't get the bunt down, or execute hits and runs, etc....you are destined for post-season failure (in my mind).

I'm with you guys that I would rather have seen a 7-1 win (or even 7-3), but this team should be on an emotional high after a win like this...They give up a big lead, it's easy to get down on yourself, but they game back and got the win, and that's all that matters. Seems like Foulke's going through a little rough patch lately, hopefully he recovers nicely. Lots of momentum going into the Texas series....love to see that! Hopefully it carries into the Texas series!

I voted 12-13 and here's why: If he's throwing like he's been throwing lately, he's worth it. He's still one of the better pitchers out there, and will be the top pitcher available via free agency. He won't accept less than 12-13 when George will pay him at least that. He isn't worth more than 12-13 because there's a high probability of him getting injured and missing time on a 3-year deal. He's still a very good pitcher. Lock him up, Theo!

The hottest rumor has been the possibility that Randy Johnson MAY be coming to the east coast. The bad news is that Newsday is reporting he prefers the Yankees to Boston because they have a better shot at the series... I say if either team gets Randy, they (in my mind) instantly become the favorite in the AL..... All other Red Sox rumors are cooling off..... Peter Gammons chatted last night on WEEI about the possibility Roger Clemens may be traded (and want to come to Boston) before the deadline if Houston continues to struggle. He thought it was doubtful, with a more realistic option being Wade Miller... Gammons also said there's a good possibility Houston moves Beltran if they're not in contention...

It's against the rules, but people do it all the time....they just find ways to bend them. No news on the Nomar front at all....I think actually things have cooled off on Nomar and he'll probably be here (in Boston) until the end of the 04 season. Not sure about after that though....

Luis is currently hitting .346 with 5 HR in the Gulf Coast League. I'll try to keep people up to date as I hear things....but Luis is pretty low-profile right now.

Jack, Welcome! Hope you enjoy tour posting and reading on this board. We get a bit emotional about our Red Sox sometimes (as you'll notice) but overall it's a good place to talk about the Sox (and MLB too) Tim

Bottom Line: A win is a win. Every win is important, and every game is important. I was probably one of the people saying "this is the most important game so far" against the Yankees, but mostly because I wanted the Sox to pound them. These games are important, because Oakland and Texas are Wild Card contenders. If Boston can win tonight, they'll be tied with Oakland for the Wild Card lead. 6 games behind the Yankees, 4 games to go before the break. My goal of being Let's hope Tampa continues to be hot, and the Sox play good baseball over the next 4 games! Schill v Harden...should be a good game.

http://www.soxprospects.com/players/images/luissoto.jpg Age: 18 Born: December 7, 1985 Bani, DR Height: 6-1 Weight: 179 Bats: Both Throws: Right Drafted: Not drafted How Acquired: International free agent (Dec. 2003) A couple links to Luis Soto. http://www.soxprospects.com/players/soto-luis.htm http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/news/031210soto.html

I'm gunna try to do this, and I'm gunna pick Luis Soto (SS) of the Gulf Coast Red Sox.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/reds...kim_finds_form/ An article about Kim on Boston.com. No real new information...

Is Kim on some kind of plan to build up the # of innings he throws? Or are the Red Sox grooming him for relief? Did he throw a lot of pitches? Any word?

Sorry guys, but I just wanna say about the derby: I don't care. Ortiz could win or get shut out....The derby is just plain boring to me. I'm glad David gets to participate (He deserves it) but the derby doesn't interest me at all. That being said, I don't think I'll catch the All-Star game either.... I'm just glad Mueller, Petey, Nomar, Nixon etc get 3 days of rest. The team seems a bit beat up....the 3 days off will be nice. BTW, Manny DID say the Home Run Derby messes up his swing and declined to participate. I know someone else said that too...but they were saying it during last night's game also.

Great game. As always, caught it on the radio up here in VT. C'mon Shill! We need a sweep

I don't think a 100 million salary cap is really going to even out ANYthing except the Yankees. Keep in mind, most teams are under 100 million, and some of those teams are still cutting payroll. There's a lot of parity in MLB this year. Hell, the Devil Rays are almost competitive! I think a push for a salary cap is just going to piss the players off and piss the Yankees off. Bottom Line: Most teams have the money to spend on teams, they choose not to for greater profit. The Yankees spend without thinking about profit, they think about winning. I stand by my statement that the only thing a Salary Cap will control is the Yankees. Just about everyone else controls themselves.

Giambi's too sick to play in games, but is going to play in the Derby? I sense an outburst from George about his one....