Like the Red Sox, Ed Walsh is off today. It's a traveling day I guess. But I understand neither is going anywhere. In any case, Management is signaling to the bullpen to put me in the game.

Considering I am writing for "Late Hits," perhaps pinch hitting is a better metaphor. But I am a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, I like commandeering better yet. Maybe I can get in a bit of pillaging and sacking in later.

Because it's an off day, the Red Sox's next opponent is the Pirates (Boston and Pittsburgh start the three-game series at 7:05 p.m. Friday in Fenway) and the weather is too lousy for me to go kayaking, I might as well take the helm for a day.

The Pirates aren't doing so hot. They are 30-33, 10 games out of first place. Part of the blame can be placed on the New York Yankees. The Bucs have dropped two games (9-0 Tuesday night and 7-5 Wednesday night) in the Bronx. Although there is an argument to be made last night's game was lost because of a bad call at first base that allowed Gary Sheffield to be safe.

But they try it again tonight. This time they bring out their best, Oliver Perez, to face Randy Johnson. Both teams are looking for a low-scoring game.

By now you're wondering why you're reading about the Pirates and not the Red Sox. (The Red Sox won last night. They beat the Cincinnati Reds, 6-1. Apparently the lack of cornrows didn't prevent Bronson Arroyo from getting the win. It completes a three-game sweep of the Reds. Happy?) You're going to end up reading more about them sooner or later. With no game being played today, the Boston media will be researching Pittsburgh to find something to write.

They don't have to look much farther than this weekend's lineup: Wade Miller, Tim Wakefield, who pitched for the Pirates before joining the Sox, and Matt Clement, a native of Butler, Pa (a suburb of Pittsburgh).

Wakefield pitched games 2 and 6 in the 1992 NLCS against the Atlanta Braves. He won both games. Unfortunately, it came down to Game 7. The Pirates led 2-0 going into the ninth inning. The Braves scored three runs to break my heart and go on to the World Series. Sigh.

But I'm glad to see Wakefield have a productive career in Boston.

And remember there is a Maine connection to the Pirates. Portland native David Littlefield is their general manager.

Did I miss any other connections?

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