Now It's A Sprint To The Finish Line

I write tonight from Portland, Maine. It's a little different than Phoenix, but I can accept the change of scenery and environment.

The coverage of baseball is different in New England as well. Of course, I'm in the midst of Red Sox Nation. What great fans. The restaurant went nuts tonight whenever the Sox did anything positive. Imagine what it was like when they won their first World Series.

One week to go in the regular season. It's always a melancholic time. If your team is still in the hunt, you're excited. If your team is out of the race, you're not.

If you're a Red Sox fan you're sick about Jon Lester. If you're a baseball fan you're sick about Jon Lester. He needs his legs to push off and make his arm action work properly. If he compensates for pain in his lower body, his arm action will suffer. So, it's a waiting game. The good news? From what I have heard, nothing is broken. Or torn. Soreness. What a smash he took. He went down with a thud and had to be helped off the field. We've seen a lot of that this year. Hitters are taught to hit up the middle. When they execute that plan, pitchers are vulnerable.

Terry Francona had indicated early Friday that it was distinctly possible that his playoff rotation would begin with Lester and then move to Beckett. Of course that could all change now. Buchholtz would pitch the third game and probably Matsuzaka the 4th. If he makes the roster, Wakefield could be the long man out of the pen.

Do you think Big Papi is heating up at the right time?

Joe Girardi told the New York media that he is considering using a rotation that begins with C. C. Sabathia and goes directly to Andy Pettitte and not A. J. Burnett. It would surprise me that he would use lefties back to back. Pettitte is a stud in the Playoffs. Just like Beckett. Girardi indicated it would depend upon who the team plays.

Some very tough decisions have to be made for the Playoffs. How many pitchers? Would you rather have a longer bench or a longer pen? We'll learn more next week.

Joba threw six innings Friday night. Here were the numbers: 5 hits, one walk. Three earned runs, 5 K?s and he threw 86 pitches. You be the judge. Good outing? He won. There was a clue to the Yankees playoff pen during that game. Here is how they lined up after Joba ruled---Aceves for 1, Albaladejo for 1/3, Marte for 1/3, Hughes for 1/3 and Coke for 1. Of course, if it were within 3, Rivera would have been summoned.

Have you noticed anything about the Reds lately? They?re winning. Joey Votto has stepped up. Jay Bruce has stepped back.

I wonder if Michael Bourn can do it again next season? Just asking.

Aaron Cook worked 5 innings against the Cardinals and gave up 4 hits and 0 runs. He was pitching against Chris Carpenter. Jose Contreras promptly blew the game for him. Mr. Contreras has a knack of doing it in both leagues. Huston Street got the win.

Will Venable never ever showed the type of pop in the minor leagues that we have seen so far with the big club in San Diego. He always had a slow bat and a long swing. I wouldn't bet the house on the production continuing. But some guys blossom when they get to wear the major league colors.

Is that the Jake Peavy we?ll see next year? Good command. Sharp repertoire. Confidence (actually, that was never an issue.) He was dominant for 7 innings against the Tigers.

If Minnesota wins the Central, I am not one that will say the Tigers blew it. I will say it's a great race and the better of the two teams will win it. Right now, I don't know exactly which is the better of the two. Can you imagine? The Twins are doing this without Morneau.

C. C. Sabathia thinks the Cy Young should go to Felix The Cat. I'm not so sure. I think the winner should come from a winner.

Matt LaPorta is hurt. That's why he isn't playing first base everyday.

What's wrong with this picture? Dioner Navarro hitting in the.200's and Greg Zaun in the 260's? Isn't Navarro a better hitter than that?

How in the world can you trade Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee and still be called a viable Major League Baseball Club? Sorry, I know there are money issues in my hometown, but please.

What a decision Charlie has to make in Philly. What to do with Brad Lidge? How about seeing Mr. Happ in the bullpen during the playoffs. I think you'll see it. Maybe not closing, but he may be down in the pen. And where does Pedro fit if he's healthy? Sore neck now.

Knock Knock. Who?s there? Manny. Manny who?

Good night from New England.