Last night was one of the better games I've seen. Although there wasn't any offense, pitching duels always intrigue me. I love watching pitchers square off against hitters. I love watching how they set up each pitch, positioning to keep the batter off-balance, guessing.

I've watched Rodrigo Lopez before. I've studied him from time to time during fantasy league competitions. He is a special pitcher who has had some bad luck and injuries. In fact., this year he started the season in Baltimore's pen, making his first start May 20. However, Lopez has owned the Sox this year. He has a 1.13 ERA and three wins this season against Boston. He also has amassed 19Ks in 24 innings. Last night he allowed one run in seven innings, striking out seven against the best offense in the league. I only wish he did this well against New Yorkers. It takes two to have a pitching duel. Curt Schilling took ten paces last night.

Schilling has done everything that's been asked of him this season. Tuesday night was no exception. He came up big. He baffled Baltimore's lineup, striking out 14 - a season high. Eight innings of shutout ball versus a potent Oriole lineup - not an easy task. Truly amazing stuff. When he left in the eighth, I felt he still had some gas left in the tank.

Although Schilling did not end up getting his 21st win, the team effort put fourth in to the ninth inning was stirring. You didn't see Curt Schilling berating Keith Foulke after he blew the save. Instead there was hope. This team has faith in its players.

This team needed something, or someone to celebrate. It's been a long week. Enter Mark Bellhorn, the hero of Tuesday's game. With one single to right-center the team could release its emotion. All Lopez could do was watch as his team's bullpen blew its chance to win. One better not celebrate too much though. ESPN.com reports that Boston is cracking down on Sox-related partying. Good luck, if they won the World Series.

Now the Sox need to clip off five in a row. Keep the momentum. This is still a championship team, not to be reckoned with.

They have three playoff pitchers (Pedro, Schilling and Arroyo) and two MVP candidates (Ortiz and Manny). And about 25 heros.

Speaking of MVPs...The New York Daily News sizes up the MVP candidates. Who will it be? Ramirez, Ortiz, Sheffield, Guerrero? The Daily News of course picks Sheffield. Of course my pick - Manny. Numbers don't lie.

Speaking of numbers...According to Boston Herald, the Red Sox are looking to induct Wade Boggs into its Hall of Fame. Apparently the celebration will be held on Nov. 10. At first I wasn't in favor of this. I've never really thought Boggs was much of a team player. I found him to be selfish. But then I looked at the numbers. Boggs won five batting titles while with the Sox and led the league for six straight years in on-base percentage. His 3,010 hits obviously make him a first-ballot MLB Hall of Famer. He also has two Gold Gloves to his credit and has been a 12-time All Star. So he gets my reluctant vote. Wade Boggs was indeed a good hitter, ok great.

Speaking of (un)selfish....It also looks as though the Boston Red Sox are looking to change their image in the New York City area. The Bergen County Record reports the Red Sox score a hit in Oradell. The Boston Red Sox have donated some money to help renovate a library in Oradell, N.J. Why? Because it is an organization of nice guys.

The Red Sox as a whole must give more money away than any other team in the league. Of course we've all heard about the Red Sox and the Jimmy Fund. They have been partners for over 53 years now. The recent WEEI radiothon raised over $1 million. Ted Williams was a big supporter.
But now we have Schilling, Mike Timlin and a number of others working hard to earn money for ALS. In fact, you can bid on a sweet looking Harley right now to help the foundation.

Then there's Johnny Damon. He has shaved his beard so Gillette would give $15,000 to Boston's libraries. And for every one of his hits, he donates $100 to New England's children's hospitals - that's $17,900 so far.

I hope these nice guys don't finish last.

Reader comments: Who do you think deserves the MVP - Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Gary Sheffield or Vladimir Guerrero?

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