Serious Series' foes
It was an interesting weekend filled with sunshine and folly. The Sox beat the Angels 2 of 3. I think it was mostly due to David Ortiz, although my colleague, Colleen Stone, would have you believe it's the "Queer Eye" cast.
Nonetheless, it was a good series. But it is time to move on.
The Red Sox are heading back to the scene of a crime. Starting today they'll face the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-game interleague series.
Yes, it was a crime. Not theft, because the Cardinals never had possession of anything. The way the Sox took care of them in the World Series was more like a hit-and-run; perhaps even an assault-and-battery.
Things are a little different this year.
Last year, the Red Sox boasted the best WHIP (walks+hits/innings pitched) in the A.L. and was second only to St. Louis in the majors. Batters only hit .255 against them. This year, The Red Sox rank 23 in WHIP (1.42) and 25 in batting average against (.277).
St. Louis is still an offensive force with Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds leading the way. The team is tops in run scored in the National League. Their pitching is holding its own as well, where they are fourth in ERA and fifth in WHIP.
The Cardinals are sure to have a little chip on their shoulder. The Sox are in for a struggle.
Boston will put Game 1 starter Tim Wakefield on the mound tonight. A repeat of that performance (5 ER in less than 4 innings) would not be welcome. To state the obvious - Wake is struggling. He has lost his last four starts, while his counterpart, Matt Morris, is undefeated this year.
The good thing about playing in Busch Stadium again, Edgar Renteria will feel right at home. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says he'll be welcomed by his former team, but they question how the fans may treat the shortstop.
I can't see any reason why St. Louis fans wouldn't welcome him back. Who remembers the last out of a World Series anyway? That said, I'd be surprised if he got anything less than a standing O.
I know, I'll be standing on my couch applauding loudly.
A few things to keep in mind:
Johnny Damon is doubtful for tonight's game. He's suffering from pain after sacrificing his body for the umpteenth time. Apparently he strained his rotator cuff, I believe it was the injured when he made a diving play in centerfield on Saturday. I think it may have been a combination of things, including running into the wall last Tuesday, when he cut his eye. Boston.com reports on Damon's injured shoulder.
After breaking out of his slump, Kevin Millar may be heading to the bench. The Boston Herald says the surge came at a bad time. I'm sure they'll find a way to give Millar's some at-bats.
I've got to stop lamenting over Boston's stats. Yankee pitching is no better. The league is batting .292 against them. So much for getting Randy Johnson. Both Javier Vasquez and Brad Halsey are pitching better in Arizona than Johnson is for New York.
The Mets have finally accomplished what they've been trying to achieve for quite some time. No, not first place, they still trail the Washington Nationals by 1 game, but headlines. The local newspapers, The New York Post, The New York Times and the New York Daily News are all sporting positive Mets headlines. I guess the additions of Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran are paying off.
While the Yankees struggle (losing 7 of their last 8 games, including a Royals sweep), the Mets have won seven of their last 10. The Daily News reports that the Yankees winning streak struck at one.
The New York Times reports that though upset, Mr. Steinbrenner seems to be washing his hands of it. Instead placing the turn-around in Joe Torre and Brian Cashman's hands. Yeah, right. I'll believe that when I see it.
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