Everyone get on board for the ride of your life. If you thought 2003 was rough, 2004 is a thrill-ride. Win a game, lose a game; win a game, lose a game. Manny hits a home run; Manny goes 0 for 4. Tim Wakefield has one good outing, then one bad. Wakefield and the Red Sox need to start another accent today, with a win in the final game of the series against the Twins. MLB.com writes the Red Sox looking to bounce back. The veteran hurler, Brad Radke takes that mound for the Twins today. In the past, Red Sox hitters have owned him. Manny, Nomar, and Varitek hit a combined .361 with 10 home runs against Radke. I fully expect the Sox to get the needed second win of the series.

Much of Boston's struggles are due to injuries. In 2003, the Sox made a run at the championship using a healthy roster. This year Nixon, Garciaparra, Mueller, Kim, and Burks have all spent time of the DL. Pokey Reese is the latest to join the list of injured. MLB.com is calling the the injury and Wednesday's loss.

While Reese has played some fantastic baseball, his hole in the lineup isn't as large as others. I will miss is defense however. It's not the worst time for Reese to be injured. Mark Bellhorn has played well at second and the Sox need to show off Kevin Youkilis' skills for possible trades anyway.

Using last night's outing as ammunition, the Pioneer Press thinks the Twins pitchers should be added to the American League roster. The site writes Carlos Torri Hunter is holding his own in All-star voting. Hunter is talented, but unfortunately he is currently 10th on the list. That will not make him a starter. It may not even be enough to get him on the team at all.

While trade rumors are being discussed around watercoolers in businesses throughout New England, Johnny Damon continues to play his best ball. Globe says Damon is talk of the town. The long-hair has a .289 average and leads the team in runs and stolen bases. It would be hard to say good-bye to Captain Caveman. Projo.com's Sean McAdam writes Beltran would have the biggst impact on the Sox. He is good. I wonder if Carlos Beltran was to join the Red Sox, would he let his hair grow?

Reader comments: Many of the Red Sox players are sporting facial hair or allowing the hair to grow long. I think in some strange way it unifies the team. Do you like the look? Does it add to the "dirtdogs" persona? Or do you think it unprofessional?

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