The 10-game win streak didn't happen. Baltimore simply has our number. I wish the Orioles the best versus the Yankees. The Red Sox could use their help.

The Sox can't catch a break. When the Sox win, the Yankees win. When the Sox lose, the Yankees lose. The Yankees lost against Baltimore on Thursday so maybe we can bring the deficit one game closer. The Sox trail New York by eight games. The Yankees have a world of porblems so the difference can be madeup, but it will take some work and luck.

Meanwhile, Boston continues its road trip. Starting today the Sox will face a talented, deep Minnesota team. The Twins may use that depth to acquire one more pitcher before the weekend is over. However, Twincities.com reports the Twins options are fading. The Star Tribune says their refusal to move certain prospects may leave the team in limbo. There is also a little controversy surrounding Minnesota's firstbaseman Doug Mientkiewicz.

The Red Sox options also may be disappearing.

On Tuesday night, Tim Wakefield didn't look himself. He allowed four runs on five hits. It wasn't looking pretty, thankfully the rains came. Projo.com writes "Sox get respite on the road".

Tonight the Sox face Baltimore. Curt Schilling will start for the Sox, weather permitting. With the postponement of Tuesday's game, there was nothing left to do but speculate on possible deadline moves and question the manager's.

The Boston Red Sox are not ready to throw in the towel. The team has a new energy and I would not be surprised if they were to string together 10 consecutive wins after three very emotional games. The rivalry continues.

Time and time again, Jason Varitek has proven he's the unofficial team captain. His actions on Saturday only added more evidence. He wears that uniform like a badge of honor. He's a throwback. He plays with intensity, brains and guile. He also has the respect of every player in Boston's clubhouse. ou never hear anyone say a bad word about "Tek." So it's no surprise he stood his ground against Alex Rodriguez, thus protecting his pitcher, Bronson Arroyo.

What was A-Rod thinking? You are truly a Yankee now. Was that your point? You needed to justify your role. Well, it backfired buddy. Spouting off obscenities to both Arroyo and Tek, is only going to get you in trouble.

The skirmish has only unified the team.

It was a tough outing for our Portland Sea Dog Thursday. One that I'm sure Abe Alvarez will remember for a while. The Portland Press Herald's Kevin Thomas writes about his major league debut. It wasn't pretty, but he showed promise. It's tough being a lefty in Fenway Park. Luckily for Sea Dogs fans, we get to watch Alvarez for a little longer. I'm sure he'll be called up in September though.

The Sox ended up splitting the doubleheader Thursday. The Orioles are indeed spoilers. The Sox are now 3-6 vs. Baltimore. I can't explain it, so I'll move on.

The Red Sox await the arrival of the Yankees who will play a three-game series in Fenway starting today. Boston needs an unlikely sweep. To get things started
Curt Schilling faces Jon Leiber. This is why we pay him the big bucks. He will shine.

But if you were to ask anyone in New York, it would seem like all these games are a waste.

Eight games and counting. That's what separates the Sox from the Yankees. I am growing weary. The Sox have got to sweep today's doubleheader in order to stay ahead in the wildcard. They would also have to pull out two of three against the Yankees this weekend.

Baltimore must be inside Pedro Martinez' head. There is no other reason to explain its success against Boston's ace. Pedro is 0-2 in three starts against the Orioles this year; posting an 8.69 ERA. Last night was no exception. The Boston Herald calls the homecoming a "fiasco". I would not go that far.

Pedro did not pitch badly. He had seven strikeouts and retired the first 10 batters he faced. But he came up short.

Overall the team gets a D for lack of defense. On more than one occasion the outfielders seemed out of position. The Boston Herald reports Damon relays an explanation on at least one misplay.

Sometimes I wonder why I expend so much energy following this team. The season is playing more like a daytime television drama than a pennant race. I'm not the only one that has noticed. Tribnet.com writes When you play for the Sox, life is one big 'soap opera.'

This club, which last year was all about teamwork, is now moving towards the ugly 25 men, 25 cab scenario. However, the situation may be getting better.

Boston.com reports Manny has returned to left field. We can at least put that behind us.

Nomar's recent success has quieted the trade rumors. But, man he looks depressed. It makes me sad. To think that the fans and media have turned on this All Star.

Will David Ortiz be suspended or not? I can't figure out why it is taking the commissioner's office so long to make a decision. Give Ortiz the four games you gave Milton Bradley (formerly of the Twins, now with the Dodgers), who bumped up against an umpire earlier this season. Ortiz did little more than that. Four games is the penalty for going batty. He'll appeal the decision, as they all do, and still get to play against the New York Yankees. What are you waiting for Bud?

Keith Foulke blew another save opportunity last night. In his last 10 appearances, he has only recorded one save. He has blown three and has two losses during that time. He has already reached last year's blown saves total (5) and we have over 70 games left. He has got to turn it around.

I have to admit I did not see the entire game last night. I tried but these extra inning ballgames on the West Coast kill me. The Seattle Times reports that Brett Boone slams the Sox in the 11th. Ouch.

It's official - the Red Sox will have home field advantage in the World Series, thanks to David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. Both jacked home runs at Houston's Minute Maid Park to help the American League earn a victory in the All Star Game.

You can see the home runs at MLB.com.

Manny's home run came off Roger Clemens. He blasted it to left field. Clemens got rocked so badly, people were speculating that his battery mate, Mike Piazza, was giving away the signs. ESPN has a script of what may have happened. There was no conspiracy. Piazza is a professional. The Rocket just fizzled. Plain and simple. Too much pressure.

Yes, baseballs were flying in the game, but so too were the rumors.

The media are speculating that Nomar may be traded to acquire Randy Johnson. According to the New York Times, the Cubs may provide the Red Sox with the prospects needed to get the 40-year-old lefty in exchange for Nomar. The Chicago Sun Times, writes that the Expos Orlando Cabrera may be a better fit for the Cubs.

The way I see it. The Red Sox are once again in a Catch-22.

The winning streak is over, but it didn't have to be. Without Manny in the lineup, we lose, it's that simple.

Why didn't Manny play? Hamstring tightness. Hmm. The Boston Globe writes about Manny's day off. He always seems to disappear or "rest" a little early around the break. Wasn't he "sick" last year? Projo.com reports how Manny begged out of Sunday's game. The day off is a "sore subject" in the Boston Herald. As it is with me. I believe Manny wanted to get a headstart. For if he were to sweat during Sunday's game, that would have meant taking a shower. Manny couldn't spare the time. He probably had to meet up with his Yankee All-Star pals at some Houston hotel. I wonder if he will be healthy enough to start in Tuesday's All Star game? Just a hunch, but I think he'll be okay. Yes, I'm bitter, because we desperately need him to make a run at the playoffs.

The hot streak continues. Without Manny, Johnny Damon tried to carry the team again. While he hasn't the best throwing arm, you can't argue with his stats. Since July 1, he has a .480 Avg., 4 HR, 9 RBIs, 14 Runs, and 3 sbs) Incredible! He is truly a table setter. Boston.com reports though a sweep would have been nice, Johnny Damon and the Red Sox remain upbeat.

Myself, I'm a little concerned.
At a recent family cookout my cousin proposed a theory: What if Major League Baseball is set up like NASCAR? In NASCAR drivers form teams and help each other win races. Drivers then receive compensation for their assistance. So some drivers are racing not to win but to make sure a certain teammate wins. The are paid spoilers.

Could this be happening in baseball? For instance, the Red Sox trail the Yankees in the AL East by 7 games. I think the difference can be attributed to two AL East teams. Combined the Yankees are 17-4 vs. Baltimore (8-1) and Tampa Bay (9-3). The Red Sox are 7-5 combined against both teams, leaving a differential of 10 wins. The Yankees are not that much better than the Sox.

Here's a few other facts to consider: Lou Piniella and Lee Mazzilli are former Yankees, the Yankees train in Tampa Bay and George Steinbrenner is a Tampa Bay resident. Hmm, collusion? Probably not, but it is interesting.

The Sox have to work a little harder in the second half to make up all of those games.

At the break, everyone wants to grade the teams. The Boston Herald offers its Red Sox report card. CBS Sportline's David Ortiz is looking forward to the home run derby. Talk about fun: Bonds, Palmiero, Sosa, Blalock, Berkman and Ortiz. The only bummer Ken Griffey Jr. is hurt.

Reader comments: How would you rate the Red Sox first half? Why?

I'm back from a holiday break. I couldn't have picked a better time. While I watched the Atlanta series, I'm glad it's over. Being swept by an inferior team is not my idea of fun. The Yankees also got swept by the surging Mets which eased the pain. Who would have thought I'd be rooting for the Mets? But I have found that at least twice a year I become a Met fan.

The return to Fenway has been good for the Sox. Boston.com reports the Red Sox pounded the A's for 11 more runs. We have begun to see the offense that propelled Boston to the playoffs last year. 22 runs scored in the last two games - fantastic! Plus, the pitching has been stellar.

If the saying "to err is human," is true, the 2004 Red Sox must be super-human. The Red Sox have committed 67 errors and have allowed 60 unearned runs. The have the second worst defense in the entire Major Leagues, only Detroit is worse. Horrible. ESPN.com has a list of Boston's worst stats in what they call the Boston 'E' party .

Boston is giving these games away. If it's close, beware. The New York Post reports Bosox blunders pave the way for yanks again. The New York Times writes Yankees tighten hold, Sox lose grip. In fact, most Web sites I've seen have reported the Sox have lost their grip. What grip? Did they ever have their hands around this thing? The team has been struggling with injuries. And the errors continue to add to the woes.

I do not blame David Ortiz. He should not be playing first (unless in NL parks). He's the everyday DH and a very good one at that. He's leading the AL in home runs (21) and RBI (75). These are MVP numbers. Why he is not an All Star candidate, I'll never know. Projo.com says Numbers not enogh for Ortiz. But more on that in a later entry.

Manager Terry Francona is to blame.