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Late Hits
Over the course of the season, Ed Walsh will be scouring the Web to bring the latest news, polls, and commentary about the Boston Red Sox to these pages.

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May 03, 2006
Rain, rain go away

My daughter's new favorite song is "Rain, rain go away, come again some other day." And as I sit I can't but think of her sweet voice pleading with the sky. She too wants to see the Sox game, or go to the playground. Yeah, probably the playground. Regardless, I can't sit through another night without baseball.

The rain ruined my entertainment last night. Yankees - Red Sox no less. Man, I know we need it but can't we have rain Monday through Friday, say from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. That way I can see during my commute.

So instead I had to succumb to an episode of the "Gilmore Girls." It was a good one too. You see, Lorelai was having a problem with her daughter, Rory, and they talked in this really cool rhythmic, cascading dialogue... Just kidding...

I actually looked over some fantasy stats (my team had 5 HR, 11 RBIs and 11 runs, not too shabby) I knew I'd be rewarded for moving Johnny Damon.

Damon has parted from Fenway as well with only a smattering of what he is deserved. And although Newsday.com says he was unfazed. his words suggest otherwise.

An excerpt:

"These guys (the fans) were planning their lives around what I do, which is pretty amazing," Damon said. "Thanks for caring so much. They didn't care about cheering on their team, all they cared about was booing me. If that's what they want to do, so be it. I'd rather be cheering for Big Papi than booing me."

Well, rest assured, Johnny, I was cheering for my team. I was cheering Big Papi's home run and well your 0-for-4 evening, I mean the pitchers. As if "these guys" were planning their lives around you.

But that was last night or the night before. The goofy-haired one is gone, see you next week.

I find myself checking Weather.com for the slightest change in precipitation.

When I last checked, the site reported rain turning to showers by game time. Well, it's an improvement.

With Tueday's postponement, Josh Beckett is scheduled to go today against former Cy Young winner Roy Halladay. What a matchup!

Halladay (Doc to his friends and fans) is a special pitcher to be sure. If he hadn't got hurt last year, he would have been a contender for another Cy. Before the injury Halladay had a 12-4 record with a 2.41 ERA. This year, he's picked up where he left off (3-1, 2.84 ERA and 1.18 WHIP), beating the Red Sox and the Yankees in the process.

He relies mainly on his fastball, but his curve is nearly unhittable. He has yet to pitch more than 99 pitches. He hasn't needed to. When he is on the mound, Toronto scores, usually early. When playing Boston on April 22, the Blue Jays scored four runs in the first inning off Lenny DiNardo, putting Halladay in a comfort zone.

ESPN's Short Hops says without a solid No. 2, Halladay must deliver.

Things may be a bit different tonight. First the weather will play a role; second, they are in Fenway; third, the Sox put a better pitcher on the mound. Josh Beckett looks to rebound from two uncharacteristic outings - one against the Blue Jays, in fact.

The off day may mess with the Sox offensive momentum. The Red Sox will need to jump out early before Halladay puts it into cruise control. Kevin Youkilis will have to make sure to see Halladay's full arsenal, as a benefit to the team.

Youk will also have to stop watching strikes go by. Whether the last pitch was a strike or not, it was nearly the same as the two before. You've got to swing at it. Make some contact, foul it off. Don't watch it. I'm not trying to knock on Youkilis. Leading off is a tough position, but there's a job to do. Regardles of Youk's good eyes, he's not the type of superstar that is going to get the close call.

Speaking of super stars, Halladay has got to be weary of Big Papi. Ortiz has had some success against the right-hander (5 home runs, 15 RBIs, .302 AVG.) So has Trot Nixon (.400).

Well, it sure is wet outside. The field at Fenway is sure to be covered, but it looks like another night ruined.

Go Sox!

Posted by Ed Walsh at 11:37 AM

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Comments

You could tell Damon was taking it all in as he walked up to the plate the other night...he was joking with teammates and then security by dugout, but as he walked by all the box seats next to and behind home he could see how pissed fans were that he plays for the Yankees...I'm sure it hurt a bit...He's a good player and good guy who has a habit of talking without thinking(like me), he says things like "to put on this Yankee uniform is a true honor" "I apologized to Arod for calling him a joke" "I love playing for my captain, Derek..."
The nation will never forgive those statements....
Bring back Cabrera, now!


Posted by Midge
May 3, 2006 02:30 PM

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