It's official - the Red Sox will have home field advantage in the World Series, thanks to David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. Both jacked home runs at Houston's Minute Maid Park to help the American League earn a victory in the All Star Game.

You can see the home runs at MLB.com.

Manny's home run came off Roger Clemens. He blasted it to left field. Clemens got rocked so badly, people were speculating that his battery mate, Mike Piazza, was giving away the signs. ESPN has a script of what may have happened. There was no conspiracy. Piazza is a professional. The Rocket just fizzled. Plain and simple. Too much pressure.

Yes, baseballs were flying in the game, but so too were the rumors.

The media are speculating that Nomar may be traded to acquire Randy Johnson. According to the New York Times, the Cubs may provide the Red Sox with the prospects needed to get the 40-year-old lefty in exchange for Nomar. The Chicago Sun Times, writes that the Expos Orlando Cabrera may be a better fit for the Cubs.

The way I see it. The Red Sox are once again in a Catch-22.

Bringing Johnson to Boston may not be in the best interest of the team. Johnson's relationship with Curt Schilling is apparently not as strong as one would think. That fact alone should make the Red Sox management a little weary. However, if the Red Sox do not get Randy, he most assuredly will end up in pinstripes. The Red Sox can not afford for that to happen. So what are the Sox to do? The Providence Journal is preparing for Randy Johnson fortnight. The newspaper site suggests that it may take that long for a deal to get done, if at all.

Perhaps Boston should just pay Johnson to stay in Arizona. The Sun Journal suggests Boston should keep the lineup intact. It is finally healthy. Besides Garciaparra has been on fire lately.

I love hearing the rumors, but none of it matters. The more I hear; the less I believe.

I am ready for the second half. Boston.com reports that the team has a healthy outlook. The newspaper site writes Tom Werner, one of the owners, is also optomistic. This is important especially considering the team will be away from Fenway 18 of the next 24 games.

The away games begin today in Anaheim. The Angels are a very good offensive team, especially with Vladimir Guerrero. The LA Times reports that the Angels believe that its powerful offense may be enough to get a spot in the playoffs.

Due to pitching woes and injuries, the Angels have not been consistent according to the Orange County Register.

In the off-season the Angels acquired Kelvin Escobar and Bartolo Colon in hopes to strengthen the rotation. Bartolo Colon has been a mystery. His velocity is down and his 6.38 ERA is two runs more than his career average. In fact, the Angels find themselves looking for another starter. The team was in the running for Johnson, but the Orange County Register reports the Angels' owner has all but squashed the idea of acquiring Johnson.

In any case, this series is pretty important for the Sox. Boston is playing for a playoff spot and Anaheim is in contention for the wild card.

One of the Angels' bright spots is its bullpen. So the Red Sox have got to come out with guns blazing early or trouble will ensue. It will be a tough roadtrip.

Reader comments: Could Randy Johnson make all the difference for the Red Sox or would the team need more?

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