a700hitter

It was a bad deal. Suppan spit the bit big time. I don't know if it was fear of the big stage or what (let's not forget his meltdown on 3B in game 3 of the 2004 WS), but if he hadn't sucked so much in Sept '03 and made the ALCS roster and won game 7 in relief, the trade would have been worth it to me if he never threw another pitch for the Sox. There's nothing wrong with short term success. A world series banner hangs forever. Sometimes young talent has to be sacrificed to get it. Obviously, the FO should try not to trade the next Albert Pujols or the next Pedro, but sometimes the guys you trade turn out to be pretty good, e.g. Freddie Sanchez.

You win some and you lose some when you deal. Teams want something in return in a trade. Rarely does a trade work out equally for each team. However, if Suppan had been able to win a playoff game in the ALCS (I'm not sure he made the roster) and the Sox won the 2003 WS, the trade would have been worth it.

Anything is possible, but the Sox are most probably toast tomorrow. The smart money is on the A's.

The SS-3B hole is nonexistent. Rarely does a ball that find that hole.

What a disgrace is Willie Harris. He botches that play so badly that it hits off the wall and it rolls all the way back to the SS. He never touched the ball. DOes he take fly balls before games. I mean he has nothing elso to do, but prepare, and when he comes into the game in the field or on the bases he looks lost.

He's getting good AB's the last two nights, which is a good sign. He's streaky, and he's due for a good streak.

What is the word on WMP being activated? I am assuming it will be Monday. I need to know so I can schedule my Willie Harris DFA party.

Manny with a hit. That three and four is a beast for opposing pitchers. How stupid must a pitcher feel when he walks Loretta to face Ortiz and Manny. You must want to take a bite out of the baseball, because you know one of those guys is going to take a bite out of your ass. BTW: Glad that Terry went right for the PR for Manny. Let him ice his knee and get ready for tomorrow.

A laser beam into the bullpen. Timlin showing some skill catching that blazer with a towel.

MDC has found himself. He is confident and shrewd with great stuff. That's quite a package.

Super-Sub Cora contributes with an RBI single.

Crisp is due.

But can that question be answered by the trading deadline? I don't think it can.

I am hoping that as the season moves on Beckett will start to go the curve more often. Maybe he has been consciously limiting the number of times he throws the hook, because it takes more out of his arm and he wants to stay healthy. In September, we might see a much different fast ball to curveball ratio.

If he can get a low pitch count inning next innning he could go 9.

It would be great if Schill Throws up and in to Bradley in his nnext AB. He's such a jerk

Nice shot by Schilling. Right in the small of the back. He has to protect his guy.

But they will have a tough time getting to the playoffs with the current staff, and this staff is not good enoughn to advance through the playoffs, if they get there.

That was some catch by Kotsay.

Lowell with the double for the lead.

They don't really have the luxury of waiting for Wells or Clement. They won't know what to expect from them until after the trading deadline. They need to do something before the deadline, because they are not going to the post-season throwing Snyder, Johnson and Pauley every 5th day. If Wells or Clement makes it back and contributes, it would be a luxury, but they can't depend on it.

Has anyone else (from outside of Boston Viewing Area) been having trouble with NESN on Direct TV? NESN has been going in and out on me since Thursday night. I get a message that says "Program not available in your viewing area." This is an error because I have the MLB package and the Sports Pack to get NESN. Last night, I lost the broadcast in the 8th inning. Then it came back up right at the end and then cut out again for the post game show. I've been on the phone with Directv several times, but its frustrating because they really can't do much for you at the lower levels of support which is where you start off each call. Last night after getting to the third or fourth level of support, I got to programming. They told me that it was some kind of broadcast issue, and they had been having alot of trouble with NESN. If anyone else is having problems with NESN on Directv, I urge you to call Directv. If enough people call they might take some action with NESN. They were kind of clueless until I got to a high level of support. It seems that they need to take this issue up with NESN.

It is time for concern, but not panic, but it is time for the FO to plug the huge hole inthe rotation with a reliable veteran.

I hope this is the last time that I have to watch Willie Harris.

Looks like there might be a winner in the 13 run pools in offices throughout the country. Edit: No winners. They've got 15 runs now.