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Today's Game Hat:

None

PREGAME
What's this, you say?  Liveblogging a game that has nothing to do with the Sox?  It was a spur of the moment thing, so I don't have time for a whole big pregame spiel.  Andy Pettitte @ Chris Carpenter, first pitch: whenever FOX gets around to it.

PREGAME, Cont.
I guess Steve Lyons, Thom Brenneman and Bob Brenly can be considered 'better' than Buck and McCarver (and Pinella!), but not by much.  Regardless, this is going to be a hell of a series, and just hearing the pitching matchups I'm starting to doubt my prediction of a Cards win in 7 already.  I definitely think this will be a classic, though.

PREGAME, Cont., Cont.
FOX just described Chris Carpenter as the 'Probable Cy Young Winner'.  Getting a bit ahead of themselves, I think.

FIRST PITCH
Ball 1, high and in to Biggio.

Today's Game Hat:

PREGAME:
This is it, folks.  The final 'Sunday' Game Blog of the 2005 season, the penultimate game of the ultimate series.  Time Wakefield, Yankee-killer, vs. Randy Johnson, mirror-killer.  1st place on the line, two playoffs spots in the air, and the attention of, apparently, every single human being on the planet and perhaps, in a couple hundred years, the rapt attention of the population of Alpha Centauri.

I don't want to do a whole big thing here.  Everything that can be said has been said: if you want to know the various permutations for these next two days, click here, if you want to know what chance we theoretically have of reaching the postseason, click here, and if you want to read about 50 other people making comments about every little thing in addition to this post, click here.

One thing is clearly known: a Red Sox win today guarantees that tomorrow will not be the last time these 25+ take the field together.  Either in the ALDS or in a one-game playoff, there will be Boston baseball next week.  Furthermore, if the Sox can win tonight, and Cleveland takes a loss, the Boston Red Sox will clinch a playoff berth, either as the Wild Card or as the division champions.  Nervous yet?

FIRST PITCH:
Ball 1 to Jeter.

Today's Game Hat:

PREGAME
I have a feeling that neither the between-inning entertainment nor NESN will let me get away with not mentioning the date today.  So I'll say this and only this.  It was a tragic, horrible day.  It has been made even more horrific by the constant memorializations.  So, if I make a crack at some point in the next nine innings over some schmaltzy analogy or remembrance, remember that I mean no disrespect to the dead.  I just find the endless hand-wringing ridiculous.

So, with that out of the way, let's get to some baseball.  Today's game is about two numbers, and two numbers only.  Those numbers are 5 and 3, the Red Sox' potential leads in the AL East.  Anyone who lived through 1978 will give me bloody hell for saying this, but if we win today, the division is ours.  A five game lead with 20 games to go is quite simply a commanding lead; even were the Sox to play only .500 ball from here on out, the Yankees would have to win virtually all of their games to catch up.  If we lose today, we would have to go one better than the Yanks over the next 17 games to assure the division before the Yankees get to Fenway.  And I think we can all agree, that would be for the best.

Injuries have necessitated an interesting look for the Sox lineup today.  Damon is back in the leadoff spot, but DHing; Kapler will stay in center.  David Ortiz has been feeling some back soreness, and will take the opportunity to sit vs. Randy Johnson; Nixon will obviously not face Johnson either, with Millar patrolling Yankee Stadium's short right field.  The other surprise is Kevin Youkilis getting the start at first; Kapler in center forced Millar in left, and Johnson on the mound necessitates a lineup full of righties, so our two actual first basemen (Olerud and Petagine) will sit.  Doug Mirabelli will obviously be in to catch Tim Wakefield.

So, win today, and root for Cleveland; ironic that a team for whom my hatred once rivaled my hatred of the Yankees now occupies such a central place in this drive toward a Yankee-free postseason.

FIRST PITCH
Called strike to Damon.

Today's Game Hat:

(Old-school plastic-strap adjustable)

PREGAME:
This is the first time this year I've been able to actually watch a pregame, while writing one.  Looks like a gorgeous day on Yawkey Way, and I wish I were there; I will be attending on Tuesday, which should be nice.

Softball this morning was good, though my long time off from it means I'll likely be sore tomorrow; as it turns out, sitting around in a studio apartment reading about Ghana for a year isn't great exercise.  But, I had a couple nice hits, including a rare opposite field double, and made a decent catch on a pop-up in the sun, so I'm happy.

Today, David Wells - back from his suspension and presumed bender - faces off against Red Sox Nemesis Rodrigo Lopez.  Both pitchers have a great deal of experience going against their given opposition; Lopez in particular has a well-known track record vs. the Sox (8-3, 3.73 ERA between 2002 and 2004, 2-1 2.96 vs. Boston in  2005).  Wells, of course, has faced the Orioles frequently during his stints with the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Sox.

Tony Graffanino is back in the Red Sox lineup today, playing second.  The only other surprise is the day off for Jason Varitek, as Doug Mirabelli gets the start behind the plate.

Sorry for the mildly abbreviated pregame, but I have an Italian sub from Newton Center Town Pizza waiting for me.  A Town Pizza Italian sub is potentially my favorite food in the world, so... write yer own pregame.

PREGAME, Cont.
I made a somewhat bold prediction at softball today, with which I may as well put myself on the line in print.  Not only will the A's rough up the surprisingly effective Shawn Chacon today, but the Sox will finally figure out Rodrigo Lopez, and knock him around early.  You heard it here first, folks.

FIRST PITCH:
Called strike to Brian Roberts.

Today's Game Hat:

PREGAME:
After his last start, when it became known that Jonathan Papelbon would rather be known by the full name than by the shortened 'Jon', I scoffed.  For one thing, 'Jon Papelbon' really rolls off the tongue better.  Second, it kinda reminded me of a little kid who tries to make his or her name sound 'older', by using the full first name, or using the middle name, or whatever.  Then, I remembered people used to call me 'Andy'.  So, Jonathan it is.

I'll be getting my first actual look at Pap today, as Sportsnet is running a rare (as in, never before in my recollection) baseball tripleheader.  I'm currently watching the Jays put up a mini-comeback, with a 5 run 7th after going down 15-0 in the first 6 innings.  After that, it'll be off to Edison Field for the Sox-Angels game, and then some other game.

Here's the situation for the Sox coming into this game.  the cream is settling in the AL; the over-performing White Sox are sinking down to manageability, and currently hold a 4.5 game lead over the Red Sox for the best record in the AL.  Meanwhile, today's opponents - the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California of the United States of America of the World of the Galaxy of the Universe (no, I haven't let it go yet) - sit only percentage points behind the Sox in the overall AL standings.

Despite this fact, there is angst.  Evan over at Firebrand has a nice post up this morning countering some of it - or at least the anti-Francona portions.  Is this team perfect?  Absolutely not.  The bullpen, despite a fairly major overhaul, remains pretty bad.  The rotation is only mediocre.  The hitting, as usual, is exceptional, and that will win us ballgames, to be sure.  But the fact remains that the above has been true all season, yet the Red Sox have the third best record in the major leagues.  Can we win in the playoffs with this team?  I don't know.  The common wisdom is that you need certain things to win in the postseason, and though I'm not convinced they're all true, we don't have those things.  However, we absolutely can - and I'll go as far as to say will - win the division this year.  We've been winning it for a large chunk of the season, with the same problems we've got now; those problems, through troubling, will not keep us fro being the last AL East team standing.

So, today we defend the 2nd best record in the American League.  Jonathan Papelbon (0-0, 3.48) vs. Paul Byrd (9-7, 3.88), 4:05 pm.

PREGAME, CONT:
Very weird bonehead play just now in the Jays-Tigers game, as The Slowest Man in the Universe, Jays backup catcher Ken Huckaby, drove a ball down the RF line that clanged off the glove of Craig Monroe  Monroe just assumed the ball was foul, from where he was when he touched it, but it was called fair; unfortunately for the Tigers, Monroe didn't notice this, and tossed the ball into the stands.  Huckaby, who is - I swear to god - noticeably slower than even Doug Mirabelli, had 'cruised' into second, then took off for third when he saw the ball get away from Monroe.  Given that, the umps awarded him home plate on the error by Monroe; a double with a 2 base error.  That's the closest Ken Huckaby will come to an inside the park homer in his life.  It's probably the closest he's ever come to a triple.

PREGAME, CONT. CONT:
The Jays just completed their 17-6 loss to the Tigers, and Sportsnet is just gave me a touch of 'bonus coverage' of the Yanks-Chicago game.  Whoever is doing the announcing with Kay sounded frighteningly like Cleveland from The Family Guy.  I was struck.

FIRST PITCH:
A ball to Damon.

Today's Game Hat

(Old-school NYPL Lowell Spinners cap)

Note: Sunday Game Blog will be bi-weekly this month; next Sunday, I'll be in Baltimore for a little family gathering, and on Sunday 8/28, I'll be in a U-Haul somewhere between Toronto and Boston.  After that date, these missives will be coming from an Apartment to be Named Later somewhere in the Greater Boston Area.  But for today, Boston vs. Minnesota.

PREGAME:
After the Sox' season high  game in streak, these first two vs. the Twins on their home turf (ha!) have been a loud, angry return to earth.  Two of the uglier losses of the season, in two entirely differet ways; Friday's 12-0 loss was just a cavalcade of ad baseball from the Soxdifferent, in every department, while yesterday's close contest ended in ugliness as two throwing errors provided the Twins with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth.  Now, the Sox look to salvage the final game of the series and pick up a game on either the Yankees or the Jays (who are facing each other today here in Toronto).

The Sox lineup today is not inspiring a tremendous amount of confidence.  With Johnny Damon getting a day off, Tony Graffanino will take the leadoff spot at second base.  Renteria, Ortiz, and Ramirez form the usual 2-3-4, and Kevin Millar hits 5th, playing right field.  Petagine will get his second start here, playing 1st.  He'll be followed by Mirabelli (catching Wake), Alex Cora (playing 3rd, in lieu of Bill Mueller, in a very un-Tito move) and Gabe Kapler in center, batting ninth.

The Twins lineup is less hodgepodge, but is still missing two of its biggest offensive forces, in Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.  Mike Redmond gets the start for them behind the plate, and Mike Cuddyer, who disappointed a couple fantasy teams of mine by sucking this year, mans 1st.

Tim Wakefield (10-9, 4.23) vs. Joe Mays (5-6, 4.62), first pitch at 2:10.

While we're waiting, if you're able to lurk (or post) over at SoSH, check out this thread, on the importance of walks to an offense.  It starts off with a fairly indefensible post, but ends up veering into some very interesting discussion (complete with some star posts by former SoSHer and current Sox analyst Eric Van).

FIRST PITCH:
Called strike to Graffanino.

Today's Game Hat

(Old-school NYPL Lowell Spinners cap)

PREGAME
It's sweeps week here at Sunday Game Blog.

Not only are the Red Sox attempting to polish off a sweep of the Minnesota Twins and win their fifth straight game, not only is it the trade deadline, not only will Manny be sitting for the second straight game while rumors swirl, but we'll have our second ever SGB Major League Debut.  It's a doozy, too, as top Red Sox pitching prospect Jon Papelbon will get the start against Brad Radke.  In his honor, the Game Hat today will be the c.1996 Lowell Spinners cap.

Jon Papelbon was drafted in 2003, in the 4th round, out of Mississippi State University.  He was a reliever at MSU, but the Red Sox decided to convert him to starter, with fantastic results.

YEAR   Aff.     IP    W  L  ERA   K   BB   WHIP   HR
2003   Lowell   32.2  1  2  6.34  36  9    1.59   2
2004   Sarasota 129.2 12 7  2.64  153 43   1.08   6
2005   Portland 87    5  2  2.48  83  23   0.94   9

Papelbon was promoted to AAA Pawtucket on July 4th, where he's gone 1-2 with a 3.57 ERA, 21 K's, and only 2 walks.

It's unknown how long Papelbon will e with the Red Sox, and there are a few factors in play.  The first is the severity of Matt Clement's injury; it's currently believed that Clement will miss only a single start, but these things can change.  The suspension of David Wells is another factor, as he will have to serve it soon enough.  Finally, there is still really no conclusive word on Wade Miller; if the shoulder stiffness that held him out of Friday's game is any more serious than was reported, Jon Papelbon could be in Boston for longer than a single start.

In addition to Papelbon's debut, the trade deadline is today.  Obviously most of the discussion for the Sox has of late centered around Manny Ramirez, nearly to the exclusion of all other news (which if you ask me is more of a team distraction than any of Manny's antics, but... who asks me?)  I'll try to monitor the message boards throughout the game and report on any rumors that pop up which might either involve or impact the Sox.

Also, Wade Boggs and Ryne Sandberg will be inducted into the Hall of Fame today, along with Peter Gammons (who will receive the J.G. Spink Award).  Congratulations, especially to Wade and Peter.  Do you mind if I call you Wade and Peter?  No, because neither of you will ever read this.

Aside from Manny, no one is conspicuously absent from the early lineup announced by the Sox: Alex Cora gets the start at 2B.  While Millar plays left, Olerud remains at first batting cleanup (which I still fail to understand, but hey, it worked last night), and Gabe Kapler gets the start in right.  I don't know whether Jose Cruz, Jr., who the Red Sox acquired last night for two minor leaguers (Kenny Perez and Kyle Bono), is available.  According to MLB Gameday, he isn't.  I'm also uncertain what roster move will be made to accommodate him, though I'd imagine it will involve Adam Stern, as an odd man out.

First pitch, 2:05.  I'm very, very excited for this one.

PREGAME, Cont.
Okay, this has nothing to do with the Sox game, but I must share.  I've got the Jays game on, and it is Dog Day at Skydome, in which there is a special section set aside for people with dogs.  Jamie Campbell and whatever moron he has working with him today just had a miniature collie in the booth with them... wearing a headset.  I don't even know what to say.  I just hope a dog gets loose and pees on Hillenbrand.  Now back to your reguarly scheduled Game Blog.

Trade Deadline Update:
There's a rumor making the rounds that the Twins will spin Bret Boone, Kyle Lohse, and JC Romero to the Rangers for Alfonso Soriano.  If this is any indcation, Boone is not in the lineup today for the Twins.  Also, apparently the Mariners and Astros reacheda deal that would send Jamie Moyer to Houston, but Moyer nixed the deal as a 10/5 player.  No word on who the Astros were offering.  In addition, Gordon Eds is now suggesting that the Sox may go after Scott Eyre from SF, a lefty reliever with a good track record who's having a good year.  The Giants made a dal last night that sent Yorvit Torrealba, their backup C (And top 10 Pozo Award finalist) to Seattle with Jesse Foppert for Randy Winn; maybe Shoppach is headed West?

FIRST MAJOR LEAGUE PITCH BY JON PAPELBON:
Called strike to Shannon Stewart.  Welcome aboard, Jon.

Today's Game Hat:

(Old-school plastic-strap adjustable)

Special Commemorative Note: Somehow I missed this, despite referencing July 24th, 2004 in this post, but today is the one year anniverary of what I believe to be the best regular season game of 2004 for the Red Sox; the brawl game, which began with the Sox falling behind the Yankees, really got moving when Bronson Arroyo pegged A-Rod (after which Jason Varitek also pegged A-Rod) and the bences emptied into one of the more active MLB fights in recent memory, and ended on an intensely dramatic Bill Mueller walk-off homerun into the bullpen off of Mariano Rivera in the 9th.  It has become the symbolic turning point of the Red Sox' championship season.  So, happy anniversary, awesome game.  Too bad we couldn't produce one of your like a year later.

PREGAME
As the trade rumors swirl (and as Burnett to either Sox refuses to go away), the Red Sox line up for their 4th game vs. this year's Best Team in the Majors, the Chicago White Sox.  This makes my life difficult, as I'll be unable to refer to the Red Sox as the 'Sox' this afternoon.  I'll go with Bosox instead.

We've now taken 2 of the first 3, with yesterday's game making quite a statement.  Wade Miller went 7 strong innings, allowing 5 hits and 4 walks, while striking out 4.  4 of the 5 hits were singles; the other was a double by Tadahito Iguchi in the 5th.  A win today would make this trip an absolute, unqualified success, no matter what the Yanks and O's do.

I also wanted to point out a sequence of evens in the bottom of the 1st inning that - to me - speaks volumes about the 'small ball' tactics that the White Sox have so embraced this year.  The 1st inning - which ha plagued Wade Miller this year, started off potentially very badly, as Scott Podsednik (50 SB's) reached on a single up the middle.  Podsednik predictably attempted a steal of second, only to be cut down by Varitek.  One out.  Miller then walked Iguchi, putting another runner on first.  However, as Iguchi started toward second on a steal attempt, Miller picked him off first.  The Bosox executed a rundown that killed him.  The inning ended on the next batter, as Carl "No Dinosaurs" Everett grounded out to second.  Now, let's replay that inning, but without the SB attempts.  Podsednik singles, Iguchi walks, putting men on 1st and 2nd wit no one out.  Everett then grounds to 2nd.  Let's assume a double play here, Cora to Renteria to Olerud; that would leave the Chisox with a runner on third and 2 out.  Not a prime scoring opportunity, to be sure, but certainly better than none on with three outs, isn't it?  Obviously it won't always work out this tidily, but I found that sequence interesting.

Today, Bronson Arroyo - who is apparently still with the Red Sox despite approximately 9,000 rumors that he's been 'as good as gone' over the last couple weeks - goes up against Jose Contreras, who you may remember from such manhandlings as May 20th, 2003, August 29th, 2003, October 15th, 2003 (ALCS Game 5), April 23rd, 2004, and July 25th, 2004, the day after The Day.  First pitch in 5 minutes.

FIRST PITCH
Called strike, over the outside corner to Damon.

Today's Game Hat:

PREGAME:
I'm feeling a little under the weather today - was out a bit on the late side last night, and woke up with a nasty sore throat.  So if I'm a touch incoherent, you'll have to forgive me.

Today represents the closest to a 'must win' game we've had  this point in the season, as the Sox sit precariously atop the AL East; Baltimore could move into shared possession of first today with a win in Seattle (where they currently lead 1-0 in the 4th inning) coupled with a Red Sox loss.  A Sox loss would similarly narrow our lead over the Yanks to a mere half game.  To begin next week, the Sox host Tampa, while the Yankees take their tattered pithing staff to Texas and the Orioles head to the Metrodome, so a win today would put us in a decent position to open up a new gap in the division.  A loss, and we will continue to sit under artillery fire.  Big big game.

The Yankees have traded for Al Leiter, who was DFA'd by the Marlins earlier this week and acquired in the late hours following Friday's 17-1 drubbing.  He'll be starting today's game; Leiter is the owner of a shiny 3-7 record and a 6.64 ERA, all of which came in the NL and at least half of which came in a decent pitchers' park in Miami.  The Red Sox counter with Tim Wakefield, who has good recent numbers vs. the Yanks, and who has been very good in his last few starts.

There have bee rumors flying since yesterday regarding potential trades out of Yawkey Way; after the game yesterday a throwaway line from Dave Campbell spawned rumors that Bronson Arroyo was headed to Florida in exchange for A.J. Burnett.  Though nothing has been certified one way or another, I'm tending to disbelieve it; as many people have claimed to have heard about a 'done deal' from any number of sources or radio stations, I've been listening to ESPN Radio fora bit now and the only Sox trade talk was speculation that a move might be made over the next couple days to address 1B (a move I would welcome).  I'll continue to check what I can check, and report anything I hear.

But for now, the latest installment of an increasingly irrelevant rivalry, as both the Sox and Yanks are facing competition from any number of teams for both the wild-card and the division.  First pitch at 6:05.

FIRST PITCH:
Jeter grounds out to Renteria, with Millar making a nice stretch to get the out at first.

Today's Game Hat:

PREGAME:
The last game before the All-Star Break, the recognized (if not mathematic) end to the first half of the season, is upon us.  The Sox close out the first half in flux, after a flurry of activity this week.  With Payton and Vazquez gone, a couple of relievers potentially on their way, and Schilling inching closer to rejoining the Sox in the pen, the two weeks leading up to the trade deadline will be instrumental in determining this team's fate - and especially the fate of its largest hole, the bullpen.

Yesterday it was Wade Miller who put us in a hole, allowing 4 runs (3 of them on Rafael Palmeiro's 2,995th career hit, a 3rd inning homerun scoring Brian Roberts and Miguel Tejada) in 6 innings of work.  After his last start, in which Miller rebounded well from first inning woes, he took a step back yesterday, striking out 5 but walking 3, and throwing 108 pitches in 6.  The bullpen was responsible, however, for putting the game out of reach; first John Halama - a DFA candidate if ever I've seen one, and this is coming from someone who called his acquisition a 'great move' when it happened - allowed 2 runs in just 2/3 of an inning, on 3 hits.  He was 'relieved' by AAA journeyman Scott "David" Cassidy, who fared even worse, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits in his first 2/3 of work for the Sox this year.  By the time Mike Myers came in to mop up, the score stood at 9-1, the only Sox run scoring on an Edgar Renteria RBI single in the 3rd.

So today, with the current series sitting at 1-2 and the season series at 5-6, and with the Orioles perched (ha!) 3 games behind us, Tim Wakefield (8-6, 3.98) looks to take us into the break on a high note.  If the Red Sox can win today against nemesis Rodrigo Lopez (7-5, 4.72), we'll be guaranteed of a 3.5 game buffer in the division.  If they lose, that buffer will sit at 2, giving us less breathing room as the pen goes from what it is (horrid) to what it will be.

A quick bit of pure, unadulterated rumor:  Newsday - not exactly the most reliable of rags, but what the hell - reports that the Sox are closing in on a deal that would send Kevin Millar to the Houston Astros for reliever Chad Qualls (3.89, 34 K, 9 BB in 41.2 IP).  I normally dismiss Newsday rumors, but this one has a kernel of potential in it, as the 'Stros are in need of a 1B (allowing them to move Lance Berkman back to the OF) and they have a strong pen that can be messed with.  I can't say I'd mind seeing Millar goes; if you've read this blog for a while, you know I can barely hide my utter distate for him.  Interestingly, he will not be in the lineup today (though Olerud got the start the last time the Sox faced Lopez as well, going 2-4 in a loss).

Aside from Olerud and the Wakefield-mandated inclusion of Doug Mirabelli, the only lineup change fr the Sox comes as Alex Cora starts in place of Mark Bellhorn at 2nd.  For the O's, the only change is Sal Fasano getting the start behind the plate, in place of rookie Eli Whiteside who collected his first major league hit in yesterday's contest.

PREGAME, Cont:
I'm having some technical issues with Gameday Audio today - it cuts out every few minutes.  So, I might miss a play here or there.  But it's not like any of you actually sit there and hit refresh the whole time... right?  I mean, that would make you as pathetic as me, sitting here and typing it all out.

FIRST PITCH:
Long fly out to Jay Gibbons frm Johnny Damon, looking to extend his hit streak to 25.