It was a tough outing for our Portland Sea Dog Thursday. One that I'm sure Abe Alvarez will remember for a while. The Portland Press Herald's Kevin Thomas writes about his major league debut. It wasn't pretty, but he showed promise. It's tough being a lefty in Fenway Park. Luckily for Sea Dogs fans, we get to watch Alvarez for a little longer. I'm sure he'll be called up in September though.

The Sox ended up splitting the doubleheader Thursday. The Orioles are indeed spoilers. The Sox are now 3-6 vs. Baltimore. I can't explain it, so I'll move on.

The Red Sox await the arrival of the Yankees who will play a three-game series in Fenway starting today. Boston needs an unlikely sweep. To get things started
Curt Schilling faces Jon Leiber. This is why we pay him the big bucks. He will shine.

But if you were to ask anyone in New York, it would seem like all these games are a waste.

The New York Times says the Red Sox are running out of time. Not so. There are plenty of games left. If Boston gets into the playoffs, no other team's pitching compares in the American League.

The Times' Dave Anderson suggests that the rivalry is the same but the Yankees are different The difference - a willingness to sacrifice. He writes that the Red Sox have always been waiting for a player like Jeter - who's willing to sacrifice his health, dive head first into the stands and make the big play.

The red Sox have had plenty of players like that over the years starting with Dom DiMaggio and continuing to Nomar. And what about Tim Wakefield? The man has been a middle-reliever, set-up man, closer and starter. He'd hit too if they'd let him.

I'm so sick of hearing how Derek Jeter made the big catch. Yes, it showed some speed, concentration and agility. But he made the catch on the field long before he headed into the stands. The fact is he couldn't stop and momentum carried him into the stands. A good catch, not a great landing.

Anderson goes on to gloat about New York's 26 championships. Blah, blah, blah. Man, even the New York writers are cocky.

The New York Post chimes in. Two of its columnist couldn't resist planning the Red Sox funeral. George Willis writes Rivera doesn't care about the Sox< /a>.
Well, I'll have you know that the Red Sox couldn't care about him either. Last year Boston batted .356 against him. They can do it again too if it gets that close.

The Post's Mike Vaccarro believes the race is over. His article "Not in Boston's wildest dreams"

The New York Daily News agrees with the other New York writers. Sam Borden pens Boston in wringer as Red Sox unravel.

Inconsistent yes. Unravelled? I don't think so.

The Yankees do not scare me, like they scare others. Kevin Brown is still on a rehab assignment. Mike Mussina is banged up. Derek Jeter has a broken hand. And Jason Giambi, well, no one knows what's wrong with Jason Giambi.
ESPN.com updates New York's injured list. According to the New York Daily Post, a fractured hand will not keep Jeter from playing in Boston.

Good, I don't want any excuses. The rivalry is indeed different, for once the Red Sox have the edge. Boston is 6-4 in the series with a chance to add a few more Ws.

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