What a weekend. By now you have all heard that David Ortiz has decided to make Boston his home through 2007. He and the Sox have agreed to a contract extension.

This is wonderful news, I couldn't be happier. I am not surprised that he wanted to stay, but I'm a little surprised who helped him make up his mind. According to an interview with Ortiz in Saturday's Boston Herald, Pedro Martinez told Ortiz, that he should re-sign with Boston. Could this advice be a hint of Pedro's own intentions, despite all that he has said about the organization over the last month? According to the Boston Globe, Larry Lucchino hopes it has some influence on Pedro. We'll see.

Much of the Red Sox success can be attributed to Ortiz. He has 10 home runs and 36 RBIs. At only 28 years old, Oritz still has some time to put up some nice numbers for this club. I look forward to watching him over the next few years. I hope to see him start in this year's All-Star game. Don't forget to add him to the ballot at MLB.com.

Another person who has been contributing to the Red Sox wins is the underrated Wakefield is the true ace of the staff at least so far. I agree. Ace or not, since coming to the Red Sox in 1995, he has done everything in his power help this ball club win games. Although he deserves to be one of the starters in the regular rotation, he has pitched in middle relief and has closed games. He is the definition of team player.

I did not expect the Sox to sweep the Blue Jays, but I'll happily take it. The bats are finally alive. It couldn't of come at a better time. The Oakland A's are coming to Boston and they are bringing with them some talented arms. Oakland comes into the game with a six-game winning streak.

Whenever I hear about the A's, my mind wonders to last year's Game 3 of the Division Series. I remember it well. I was there. Oakland's Ted Lilly (now with the Blue Jays) was pitching the game of his life, only allowing one unearned run. My wife and I were in the left field box seats with a tremendous view of the field, celebrating our anniversary. She wasn't sure she'd be able to stay the whole game due to morning sickness. Then the interference call and subsequent error by Gold-Glover Eric Chavez. She didn't need much coaxing. The Red Sox rallied. Then in the 11th, Trot Nixon hit that home run. Fenway Park erupted. I get goose-bumps thinking about it. Easily, the best game I ever witnessed live. ESPN.com has a series summary to help re-live the memories.

I do not expect such heroics this week, especially without Nixon. Tim Hudson goes against Curt Schilling in the series opener Tuesday night. Both are five-game winners with ERAs below 3.00. Truly, something to watch. It will be better than the Roy Halladay vs. Pedro duels.

The Red Sox will have to get to Oakland's bullpen in order to win. That bullpen hasn't been the same since it lost its closer. It should be interesting to see how Keith Foulke does versus his former teammates. I'm glad the Sox no longer have to face him.

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