It's a different hero every day. Wednesday Orlando Cabrera came up big, no huge. A walk-off home run in the bottom of the 12th. Yes, this is what baseball in September is all about. And to think that earlier Wednesday he was in South America checking on his wife who is recovering from surgery.

How did he know he was needed in Boston? Boston.com writes about Cabrera going the extra mile. Not only did he hit that home run, but made some key defensive plays too.

He's a very capable shortstop with more potential to tap into.

Wednesday's victory put the Sox 2 1/2 games behind the Yankees. We need a little help but a division title is still within reach. Go Devil Rays!

These last two games have been emotionally draining. I'm not sure my heart can take it. Tonight will probably be more of the same.

My friend Bill called me this morning with a trivia question. "Who has the most wins from opening day 2002 to the present?" he asked.

The first name out of my mouth was Curt Schilling.
"Nope."
"How about Pedro Martinez?"
"Nope."
"Mark Mulder for Oakland? He's had a couple good campaigns."
"No."
"Tim Hudson?"
"Try again."
"Randy Johnson has had a few good years. How about that Roger Clemens guy?"
No and no.
"Hmm. I'm stumped."
"Derek Lowe."
"You're kidding?"
Turns out Bill wasn't kidding. Derek Lowe has 52 wins since the beginning of 2002. More than any other pitcher in the major leagues. Schilling and Mulder have 51; Pedro and Hudson have 50; Roger Clemens only has 48 and Johnson doesn't even come close.
Amazing.

Why am I so surprised? Lowe hasn't shown that kind of dominance lately. He's 14-12 with a 5.19 ERA this season. His numbers against tonight's opponent, the Baltimore Orioles aren't great either. Actually, they are down right scary: 1-1 with a 7.36 ERA. Ouch.
He needs to turn things around and in a hurry, like sometime between now and 7:05 p.m.

Keith Foulke is another player who has got to get it together. Although he clipped off 16 saves in a row, he has failed to convert his last two chances. CTnow.com says that Foulke's failures not a concern, yet. I'm not giving up on him. He still has great stuff. His change-up and fastball are solid, but he seems to be lacking a little intensity. These are the games that he needs to close. The Sox are in the stretch drive. They are going to play the Yankees this weekend. The playoffs are right around the corner. Where's the fire?
Luckily for Foulke, the Sox have been able to endure.
This Boston team is ready for the long haul.

The New York Post writes that their division rivals are also ready. This weekend series should be fun.

The New York Times reports that no two teams have finished 1-2 more often than the Red Sox and Yankees. The newspaper 's Dave Anderson gets a headstart on this weekend's matchup. The newspaper also reports that Curt Schilling gave WEEI an earful, responding to the radio station's accusation that he and Pedro do not get along. Man, the media can be so opinionated.

It's a fairly safe bet that the Sox will be in the 2004 playoffs. But that means that the current roster will indeed change. Everyone on the team is playing for a playoff job. Who will start Game 3? 4? What will the bullpen look like? Baseball Prospectus takes a little look at possible playoff rosters.

The New York Post takes a look at what postseason decisions Yankee manager Joe Torre will have to make.

We may be getting just a little ahead of ourtselves, but these two teams could meet again after this weekend. I can think of nothing better.

Reader comments: Have your feelings about the deadline trade changed after watching Orlando Cabrera play?

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