The fact that the Red Sox are in first-place is truly astounding considering the condition of its pitching staff.

First you're without David Wells, who I do not like. But that fifth spot has been a gaping hole. Lenny DiNardo is not the answer. Now, it looks as though Wells is gone again, says the Boston Globe.

Add another hole at the fourth position of the rotation. Matt Clement has not been the same since he was hit a year ago. And he has been hit again, though according to Courant.com, he's blaming his poor pitching on the injury. He may have the gusto to head to the mound but by the time the opponents get through the lineup, they have him figured out. Is he using the same pitching sequence? I don't know, but batters are tagging him from the fourth inning on.

Here are his numbers by innings (ESPN): 1-3 .256; .289 4-6; 7-9 .556 (He's only pitched seven innings twice this year). His days have got to be numbered. It may be time to place him in the pen, where they could use the help.

That brings me to the bullpen, where there are no bulls. In fact, the one constant (Mike Timlin) is gone on the DL with a tired arm. Used too much? Probably - considering the lack of confidence in the other staff members.

It almost doesn't seem fair. Or does it?

There's been lots of talk about the depleted Yankee roster. It's true they have lost Gary Sheffield, (though he could return today, according to Newsday.com) Hideki Matsui ( out for at least the next three months) and Shawn Chacon.

But the Red Sox too are without Coco Crisp (He may return within a week), David Wells (The Boston Herald reports he'll start Friday's game against Tampa Bay) and now Wily Mo Pena (missed a start).

Now I'm not saying that the injured reserve list is equal but it would appear as though the lineups are.

Man, this is the type of day I dread. Okay Yankee fans, let me have it. Last night, your team finally did something. Though, I give most of the credit to Curt Schilling.

Since when does Schilling have a palm ball, anyway?

At least Schilling didn't feel the need to have an MRI done after his debacle. Instead he took his lumps and simply stated "I didn't execute." True enough. He made some horrible mistakes, which let the Yankees back into a game.

After being singled-out by George Steinbrenner, A-Rod stepped up and according to the NY Post showed Boston who's boss. Schilling didn't even look back to see the end result. He knew from the sound of the bat that it was gone.

By the way, Steinbrenner says he never called out A-Rod. And if he did, he didn't mean it. Hmm. So did he or didn't he? Doesn't matter, The New York Daily News says the Boss has made A-mends. I, for one, am very relieved.

The Journal News, a site I have not visited before, writes about the "powerful response" of the Yankees, including Jason Giambi.

Did I jinx the BoSox?

Although it is recorded as a "L" in the book, the Red Sox had a couple of bright spots.

David Ortiz, who the New York media has been pleading for Yankee pitchers to "drop," went 4-for-4 with a home run. He's starting to reach his statistical norms. Yankee stadium is treating him well, the trend hopefully will continue. The N.Y. Post says the "pop is back in Papi's bat." Of course they credit the Yankees for the resurgence.

I had asked where Mike Lowell's hits may land in a bigger ballpark. Lowell answered the question for me. Much to my surprise - doubles in Fenway turn into home runs in Yankee Stadium. It was nice to see. Lowell, a defensive stud, is starting to return to his 2004 form. He has three home runs, 19 doubles thus far. For those of you wondering...the single season record for doubles is 67 for a left-handed bat, 64 for a righty. Lowell is right on pace.

NJ.com writes about the "one that got away

This is sort of what I expected from this series - tied after the first two games going into tonight's. Tim Wakefield has pitched pretty well in Yankee stadium, so it will be interesting to watch.

The Boston Globe's Dan Shaughnessy is stirring up trouble again. He's revisiting the Theo Epstein/ownership relationship. This time he reports that Epstein has not signed an official contract. Man, talk about beating a dead horse.

Hey Mr. Shaughnessy, he's working everyday for the betterment of the team. Get over yourself!

Am I bitter? You betcha.

Here are some thoughts as I watched the assault drag on.

We've all done it, it haven't we? That dreadful walk of shame. Whether we've given our best effort or skated by on something, we failed to get a job done. Having instead to face the wife, the boss or the fans owning up to the wrong doing. Such was the case for Randy Johnson. Walking from the mound with his head low. Okay so most of us didn't fail on live television in front of millions of viewers and 55,000 fans in the stands. Did you hear Johnson' reception? Yankee fans are brutal.

The Boston Herald has Schilling praising and ripping the Yankee fans. When I read the article I didn't hear much ripping, but whatever.

Now had Johnson been a rookie playing for anyone other than the Yankees, I may have had some sympathy, but he isn't and he doesn't. So...I was only sorry to see him leave.

Two earned runs? Why is it that if a pitcher makes an error (or wild pitch) that results in runs scored that they are not attached to his ERA? It has always puzzled me. Still, Johnson's ERA for the night was above 5.

Some MVP. How many times have I seen A-Rod mess up an easy play? Turns out over the past three seasons, A-Rod has committed 23 errors (not terrible). However, seven of those have been made while playing against the Sox. That's incredible. And helpful, considering he rarely hits when the game is on the line. He alone may to blame for some of the Yankee losses. Go figure. He certainly didn't do anything with his bat. I used to think that the Yankees had a Giambino Curse, but A-Rod is seemingly taking over that role.

According to NY Daily News, The Boss wasn't happy.

That is also the case for New York's new centerfielder, Johnny Damon. He, too, went 0 for 3.

Most people including ESPN broadcasters and the Boston Herald believe this contest between the Red Sox and Yankees will be closely monitored by a certain right-handed power pitcher.

And while the offer from Houston is a good one, Roger Clemens may in fact like what he sees in the AL East. Both the Red Sox and the Yankees have a better than average shot at the post season, while Houston is currently fighting a hard battle within its own division. With the emergence of Cincinnati, things look a bit bleak in the NL Central. The one thing theAstros have going for them, the chance to put father and son on the same ball field. Houston is prepared to do that for Roger's services.

The Herald's Tony Massarotti predicts the Rocket will return to the Sox. It's a better story.

Meanwhile John Harper of the New York Daily News says Clemens will return to the Bronx.

But no one is talking about the Texas Rangers. The Rangers have the best record in the AL West and with a boost to the rotation could be a force. Vincente Padilla, John Koronka and Kevin Millwood have been doing pretty well. Add a Rocket and they could soar. Though the Angels and A's may have something to say about that.

Mike Vaccaro of the NY Post says its time for the Bombers to drop David Ortiz to the ground. He says its time for the pitching staff to "give notice."

With Randy Johnson on the mound, I fully expect the Yanks to go after Big Papi. It won't be easy on the left-handed power hitter vs. the left-handed power pitcher. But if they intend on pitching him inside and giving Ortiz favorable counts, then watch the results. A walk to Ortiz could be detrimental. For Manny is waiting in the wings. Ramirez likes this stage. Being brought up in New York, this will be like a home coming for him.

The New Jersey Star-Ledger says that Boston will be like a tonic for Johnson. While he's had some success against the Sox, I look for tonight's game to give him fits. I'm not worried about it. Ortiz and Ramirez will get their chances, but the rest of the lineup will have to step up in order for a victory.

The key will be Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek and especially Kevin Youkilis. He needs to see and waste a lot of pitches. I do not want to see any grimaces on strike-three calls.

If these guys are getting on base, the rest will fall into place. Yes, indeed all eyes will be on this series.

Though Kevin Youkilis might think that The Rivalry is "no big deal" to the players, I beg to differ. He has been spoiled.

Consider where some of these players are coming from - Florida. Even in its World Series year, the Marlins only attracted and average of 16,000 fans per game. Granted they had 65,000 people in the stands for their home games during the 2003 Series, I suspect that most were Yankee fans.

Most often Beckett, Lowell and Gonzalez played to a seemingly empty house.

At Fenway, every game feels like a playoff game, every game is sold out. It's hard enough to get a ticket to see them when Tampa Bay is in town, let alone the Yankees.

The same can be said in Yankee Stadium. While most of the pinheads (Yankee fans) pretend that the opposition doesn't matter, there's still something special when the Sox are in New York. There is not an empty seat and it's electric.

The fans in the north east are downright passionate, sometimes venomously so. It's not the same in the south nor in the west. Ask anyone. It must have something to do with the weather. Here in the northeast we hybernate all winter. We read about the offseason transactions, we calculate odds, we add up stats, we speculate trades.

When season finally begins, we release all that built-up tension, energy.

It's not just Boston. The same can be said about New York and Philadelphia.

In cities like Atlanta, Miami, San Diego and even Los Angeles, fans are more lax about their sports teams. The games are almost secondary to the consession stands where there may be bands playing, arcades, contests, heck even televisions showing other sporting events.

The one downside is that with this added pressure, some of these players may be trying too hard.

Josh Beckett is playing for a contract - a sizeable one at that. Mike Lowell and Alex Gonzalez are playing for their baseball lives. All are contributing admirably, especially on defense.

It will be interesting to see how the three react in enemy territory. Where will Lowell's doubles fall in this bigger park? Will Gonzalez get his average up to .240 (which is all I ask)? Will Beckett return to 2003 form?

First things first they need to relax.

It will and should feel different for the Boston 9 or at least those three former Marlins. It will feel like the World Series all over again. Let's hope for similar results.

Go Sox!

Predictions anyone?

I think my daughter is a bit of a savant when it comes to the Red Sox. During the late innings of Sunday's game she started to sing "Clean Up, Clean Up Everybody Everywhere..." a popular children's song from Barney. Not yet two, she understood the meaning of sweep.

Indeed, everybody did their share. The starting pitchers kept the team in every game. And the offense is alive.

I wonder what people are saying about the Bronson Arroyo/Wily Mo Pena trade now. Pena is batting .319 with three home runs and 13 rbis. He looked magnificent in center - a position where one can get a better jump on the ball.

Don't be thinking that Pena is an everyday outfielder. Once Coco Crisp returns, Pena is back in a platoon role with Trot Nixon in right. There really is no debating it. In fact, Nixon has been hitting so well lately Terry Francona decided to use him against lefty Eric Bedard this weekend. This season, Nixon is hitting .313 against southpaws.

But for now, and at least the next week, we'll see a lot mo' of Wily Mo.

The pen also has been stepping up, aside from Julian Tavarez, who seems to give up at least one run every time he takes the mound.

I wish we could play Baltimore everyday. Their lineup does have some star power and threats to be sure, but there are many holes throughout the roster that will enable any team to exploit the weaknesses.

If you are an Oriole fan, you have got to be a bit upset with the way things have changed. Last year at this time the Orioles were in first place with a 20-9 record, looking down on the rest of the field. A few injuries and a steriod user later, the team finished just ahead of Tampa Bay for the worst record in the East. I'd be surprised if Baltimore could hold off the Devil Rays this year.

The pitching is atrocious. Before the game even started on Sunday, Kris Benson looked as though he was kicked in the stomach. Then he started to pitch. Before the fifth inning was over, the Red Sox had posted nine runs - all earned.

Bedard met a similar fate on Saturday. Only Rodrigo Lopez gave his team a fighting chance, but he couldn't keep the momentum running into some major problems in the sixth.

The Red Sox are finally hitting like I expect them to.

The timing couldn't be more perfect

I'm little upset with last night's outcome. Though there is a big "L" next to Jon Papelbon's name, I can't blame him for the loss. He was eventually going to give up a run, let's face it. The American League is full of fastball hitters and at some point one or more of those guys are going to get lucky.

The loss happened long before Pap entered the game in my mind.

Let's put it this way: You're batting say .181. It's your turn at the plate. There are two men on. You look over and the manager is signaling for a bunt. You've got to lay it down. You've got to advance those runners. This is your time to shine, do something useful in the box. It was Alex Gonzalez' moment and he simply jabbed at the ball. Ouch!

That's when the Sox lost.

It's times like this that I wish we had a more offensive shortstop in the lineup.

It looks as though the Red Sox may have the same idea. Though, they are stating publicly that Gonzalez is their guy, rumors suggest the Sox may be interested in the Dodgers' Cesar Izturis.

Izturis is currently on the DL. he had surgery in the offseason on his throwing shoulder or elbow, I honestly can't remember which. He is due back anytime. The Dodgers don't really have a spot for him once Jeff Kent returns from his injury. They have Rafael Furcal at short, Kent at second. So, they will request, ala Alfonzo Soriano, to have him make the move to the outfield - a position that Izturis doesn't want to play.

Izturis is a defensive-minded player, who thinks he is much bigger offensively than he is. He has speed and in the right environment could excell. I'm not sure where the Sox would bat him or if he would be the right fit. Plus his injury worries me.

I would think that the Red Sox would look for other options if indeed Gonzalez is not sticking around. Why we got rid of Edgar Renteria again?

Tonight the Sox again face the Blue Jays in better weather. Matt Clement gets the call for Boston. His counterpart will be Josh Towers.

A baseball season is all about cycles. It's time for Clement to turn things around. He has not been impressive this season. What makes Clement's outing more precarious is the use of the pen last night. Timlin, Foulke, Papelbon and Tavarez all pitched. Scary isn't it? That leaves only Seanez, DelCarmen and perhaps Foulke again.

However, it's a good night for baseball and hopefully a bad night for asthma.

Go Sox!

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.

Another chapter in the history of a rivalry. This one could have been a book on its own.

It started out slowly building the characters, the drama.

First the Wakefield-Mirabelli reunion; the return of Johnny Damon (that in itself sounds like a movie title); the tie game building to a climax (David Ortiz' deep shot in the eighth), then the resolution (Jon Papelbon striking out A-Rod and Jorge Posada for a perfect ninth). Oh what a story!

The waving signs and the money being tossed into centerfield painted the picture: Damon wasn't welcome here anymore. Sure when he was first announced the mixed crowd acknowledged him, he responded with a solemn tip of the hat.

The boo-birds were flying around the park. Throughout the game you could hear the flock chirp. Impressive, considering I was on my couch.

He wasn't the only one getting this type of reception, for him they were simply louder. I could still hear "Baaalcoooo" during Jason Giambi's at-bats. And the crowd got really fired up when Derek Jeter and Damon let a fly ball fall between them in shallow center. Last night, Damon became a Yankee.

The Boston Globe's Jackie MacMullen says all the fuss doesn't much matter to Damon.

She quotes Joe Torre "'I'm a little disappointed in the reaction by the fans," Torre said. ''I guess we should feel proud. Evidently, wearing a Yankee uniform overrides winning a World Series and busting your tail for four years. Without Johnny here, they may have been working on 89 or 90 years."

First of all I don't care a bleep what Torre thinks. Second, it is Damon who has forgotten about his historic efforts and loyalty, not Bostonians. Or has he? N.Y. Post columnist Mike Vaccaro suggests Damon left a lot of his heart and soul in Fenway's dugout.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable in these unfriendly surroundings, Damon when 0-for-4. He seemed bothered as he tried to block the verbal tirade from the stands. Tonight it could be worse.

I didn't waste my energy on the whole Damon thing. He was merely a footnote in this saga. I was focused on the Sox.

I just read some good, no, great news. Doug Mirabelli, Tim Wakefield's personal catcher for the last few years, is returning to Boston for tonight's game. According to ESPN.com, the Sox have given the Padres Josh Bard, Cla Meredith and some cash in return for Mirabelli's services.

Yea! This is fantastic. While it may be too much to expect Mirabelli to be completely ready for the knuckleballer, it is most definitely an improvement.

I love Mirabelli. He's a great clubhouse guy, great with the glove and he can get that clutch hit. I especially like his old-school ways. Who else swings a bat in the major leagues without batting gloves?

Tonight the familiar battery takes on the Yankees. Things are falling into place.

Now, all we can hope is that the wind changes direction. Believe it or not, Hattier is right, we want the wind blowing out for Wakefield.

The 2006 Yankee-Red rivalry begins at 7 p.m. in Fenway. The brief two-game series will be a memorable one.

Tim Wakefield is on the mound tonight. If the wind here is similar to what can be expected in Fenway, then the knuckleball will work well. However, Josh Bard better have his running shoes on - ready to sprint to the backstop for any passed balls.

Wake has had some success against New York. Those that he has faced before hit a collective .242 against him.

He'll need to keep Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon off the basepaths to enjoy success. Gary Sheffield has been a menace too, but his hand injury should keep him out of the lineup.

Over the weekend, I said goodbye to Damon. I traded him from my fantasy team in an effort to rid myself of a Yankee curse.

It had nothing to do with his ability. Since the minute I won the bidding war, I regretted my actions.

How could I have a Yankee on my team? His presence has kept me idle in 12th position in a 15-team league.

I can't say I got equal value, but I couldn't have him on the team when the Yankees arrived today.

And that USAToday's Sports Weekly article, tipped the scales.

While I typically hate to see "Yankees suck!" t-shirts and other questionable sayings found on gear around the ball yard, I truly wish I had a "Looks Like Jesus, Acts Like Judas, Throws Like Mary" tee right about now.

Damon has become the story. The Boston Herald says it hurts to see him; FoxSports.com calls him the new Benedict Arnold; Boston Globe's Bob Ryan previews the game and Damon's return; the Associated Press distributed an article "Damon: old friend, new enemy." Still more articles througout the nation, make today's meeting noteworthy.

In one such article, Joe Torre suggests that cheers for Damon will outweigh the boos. Don't bet on it. He is sure to get a mixed reception.

Every Red Sox fan knows what the centerfielder brings to his club. He has been on fire lately, perhaps gearing up for his return. He had two home runs on Saturday and went 3-for-4 on Sunday.

I will not boo, I will not cheer, I'll simply hope that the Sox take some chances against his weak arm.

Go Sox!