This past series versus the Twins wasn't that much fun. I can already hear the boo-birds ready to comdemn Garciaparra. The Boston Herald reports that Nomar accepts blame for blunder. Don't get too down on yourself, Nomar. It's unfortunate. But let's remember it takes a team to win and a team to lose. There were other chances to stop the Twins. Blame can not fall on one man's shoulders. The loss put the Red Sox 5 1/2 behind the Yankees. We need to buckle down for Philadelphia.

This weekend should be fun.

Ever since I can remember, I've had a soft spot for the Philadelpia Phillies. It all started with Mike Schmidt, who I tried to emulate back in my Little League days. He, at least in my view, is the greatest third baseman to play the game. His offensive numbers are staggering. Learn more about the Hall of Famer at baseballlibrary.com.

This current Phillies team also has some offensive prowess. Jim Thome, Pat Burrell and Bobby Abreu make a scary trio. Thome, in fact, leads the National League in home runs with 24.

But as we have witnessed with other teams, Philadelphia's pitching is suspect. It is becoming a theme. I still believe no one can match the Red Sox pitching staff from top to bottom. Much of the Phillies' ERA woes may be due to its new Citizens Bank Park. Learn more about the park at Ballparks of Baseball.

Friday, the Red Sox will put staff-ace Pedro Martinez on the mound vs. the Phillies' Paul Abbott. There really is no comparison between the two. Pedro however better have his A-game and through lots of breaking stuff. The three offensive guys I've written here can certainly hit a fastball. I' like the Sox chances here.

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, the Phillies were all abuzz about facing Pedro and Schilling. Bronson Arroyo isn't getting too much credit but look for him to have a pretty good game.

Bronson Arroyo goes Saturday against the soon-to-be-activated Randy Wolf. Wolf has been on the DL with elbow tendonitis. He is the wild-card here. Wolf before getting injured was having a fine season. In 10 games, he has an ERA of 2.91 and a WHIP of 1.14. Outstanding. We'll have to see just how healthy he is.

Sunday, we'll cross our fingers that Curt Schilling's ankle is as strong as he says. He's a workhorse. He faces an organization he once played for. I, even now, think of Schilling as a Phillie. Strange? When you pitch for a team for almost nine seasons, it may just stick. He faces a young, talented Brett Myers. He has a good strikeout to walk ration but he gives up a lot of hits. At 24, he is a star in the making.

It is not even the All-Star break, yet people are already chomping at the bit to grade the Red Sox performance. The Boston Globe's Bob Hohler writes Sox earn no extra credit.

Now that Carlos Beltran is now in Houston, the Boston Globe is wondering what are the Red Sox next options. I could care, I'm more than happy with the Astros acquiring Beltran, at least he did not go to the Yankees. ESPN speculates that Boston should go after Arizona's Steve Finley. They think the Sox need more depth. If the Red Sox get anything from Arizona it should be Randy Johnson. Wouldn't that be something?

That Houston team is interesting. It is almost completely made up from Boston and New York players. Adam Everett, Jeff Bagwell, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte all played for the Red Sox and/or Yankee organizations. Add David Weathers and Jeff Kent who both played for the Mets and you have a lot of former east coast players. Let's not forget Jimy Williams is the manager. Too bad we don't face Houston this year, it would be a reunion, of sorts.

Reader comments: How do you feel about losing out on Carlos Betran? What should the Sox do now?

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