Maxbialystock

I count 7 bad starts, all games when he pitched 4 of fewer innings, which put too much of a burden on the bullpen and also allows Perez to avoid facing any hitters more than twice. To me those games are nonstarters.

In this 4 game series, the Sox vs. Yankees starters will be: Houck (ERA 3.38) vs. Montgomery (ERA 4.18) ERod (ERA 5.19) vs. Cole (ERA 2.63) Eovaldi (ERA 3.57) vs. Taillon (ERA 4.60) Perez (ERA 4.16) vs. German (ERA 4.16) I think Cole has the edge (over ERod) for the Yankees in game 2 and Eovaldi (over Taillon) for the Sox in game 3. The other two are crapshoots--remembering of course moonslav's adage that mismatches often produce surprising outcomes. The Sox to date have a +63 run differential and the Yankees +10--the latter mostly because of their tepid hitting which, however, just might be coming back to life. Both teams need this series even though the Yankees need it more. For the Sox tonight's game is the first of 11 back to back games vs. the other three AL East contenders: 4 vs. the Yankees, 4 vs. the Jays, and 3 @ the Trop vs. the Rays. Then, after 3 @ Detroit, the Sox play 4 more at Toronto (not Buffalo), including a double-header with the make-up game) and 3 at Fenway vs. the Rays. So that's 18 of 21 games vs. three winning teams, all of whom have a shot at the wild card or the AL East title. Oh, and right in the middle of those 21 games comes July 31, the so-called final date for making a deal for this season.

Yankees have now won 4 straight thanks to the boost the Sox gave them. They are 7 games back and 7-3 vs. the Sox 4-6 in the last 10 games for each.

And so he (Houck) is starting--tonight at Fenway vs. the Yankees, who will have lefty Montgomery (ERA 4.18, 99K) going for them.

An unusual movie with a very good cast even though bigger stars (than Reynolds, Voight, Cox, and Beatty) were considered/asked. No stunt doubles were used, also no insurance. Dickey was an alcoholic who showed up drunk on the set and got into a fight with the director Boorman (who lost teeth and the fight). It is preserved in the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress.

He sure did.

Lovely win. Richards was very, very good--before he was horrid. And the bats went wild.

3d time thru their lineup.

Richards continues to impress with, I hasten to add, Vazquez behind the plate.

He has a plus DWAR this year. Plus Richards made sure the guy on 2d base didn’t score.

Great 3D inning by Richards. Did not let that error get him down.

Hernandez!!!

Professional at bat by Chavis—moved the runner.

I’m also no fan of Dalbec, but sure do like that double!

To remind: I’m as anti-Richards as anyone. But fair is fair. Plus I’d like the Sox to win this one.

Two good innings by Richards.

Nice play, reaction by Chavis on that high hopper.

Good 1st inning for Richards.

Right you are. Weaver and the Orioles were both great—before Camden Yards opened.

Right you are. Weaver and the Orioles were both great—before Camden Yards opened. My older son became an Orioles fan because of their success and proximity.

The pig isn't the team as much as it is Peter Angelos. In Earl Weaver's day, the Orioles were pretty good.

And Cora is going with an all-righty lineup except for Devers. Verdugo and Duran are out.

Agree on Camden Yards, where I have watched the Orioles play several times. A tough drive from Fairfax County, however, not so much getting there but getting back.

My info says the Sox are paying Garrett Richards $8.5M. That is a bargain only with respect to what they are paying David Price, $18M--because he is pitching for someone else.

Wow. Stunning.