Saturday Afternoon Thoughts

(Note: I did a run this morning in 95% humidity with a 78F dew point.  So my brain is maybe not operating so well right now).

I have two thoughts on this lovely -- albeit hot -- Saturday afternoon:

1) Despite the fact that I love Robert Kraft and everything that he has done to create what is undoubtedly the best football team I will ever see in my lifetime, I am not agreeing with the lack of signing Tom Brady.  Now, I don't want to say that TB is the linchpin that holds the Patriots together, but I don't want to say that because it is, in fact, an understatement.  There are three things that made the Patriots team of the decade:

•  Bill Belichick and various other coaching genii around him (although then they leave and become much less genius-like)
• A strong, solid defense (or else you'd just be the Colts and fizzle out year after year)
• Tom Freaking Brady (see: Brett Favre in numerous pressure chokes, Tony Romo, etc...)

Now, I know that Cassel did not play shamefully when he was put on the spot, but he was still no Tom, as the games against equivalent/better teams showed (see: Pittsburgh [it still makes me wince]).  There is no other Tom in the entire game and may never be.  So sign him!  Now!  Do it!

I had mostly been ignoring this story on the grounds that it was probably another fruitless media hunt against the Patriots ('Belichick neglects to say 'Bless You' to woman sneezing in restaurant'-type material).  But more and more is surfacing to show that he is not happy.  Now I will continue to be in happy denial.  Pass that Foxborough Kool-Aid.

2) I like the Red Sox's chances.

Yes, really.

You never thought that you would read that here, did you?

Now, it has been a trying season.  In fact, that's an understatement.  This has been one of those seasons where you actually start to see why Red Sox fans mention the Tobin Bridge so often as a jumping point.  Remember when Papelbon blew two saves in a row?  Or when we came back against the Yankees, then lost it in the bottom of the ninth (due to A-Rod no less)?  Or when Bard came in against Cleveland and was a disaster zone?  Or the countless injuries that we've had to endure (Buchholz pulls his hammy running the bases)?  Or Bill Hall at the start of the season?  Or Papi being on-again-off-again?  Or....or....or....  The list goes on and on and on and on.

But, one thing we did see after the hideous start is that this is, in fact, one of the best teams in baseball.  Run prevention-schmrum prevention.  They can hit, pitch, and even have dramatic moments from guys just called up from Triple A (Daniel Nava, Darnell McDonald).  And they did have one of the best records in baseball through May-June.  Here is my logic: if we get people back off the DL (Pedroia, Martinez, and the pitchers, who are getting off the DL), then we could make a run for it.

Conversely, the Yankees and Rays will probably slump.  So we just need to time this for when they are.  I feel like the Yankees are evil mutant robots who never tire or get injured in a big way, so I'm thinking it might be the Rays.  Either way, I -- of all people -- have not given up hope.  So neither should you.

'Streaky'

It described the Habs post-all star break, and now, I'm afraid, it is the moniker I have to apply to the Red Sox.

Having looked just fine prior to the current series against the White Sox, I was almost ready to leave PANIC MODE. But no. Then Byrd had a dreadful start (allowing 7 runs in Friday's game) and then Wakefield did not play the way he has been all season yesterday, leading to a 5-1 loss. Again, inconsistent is the best term for our pitching right now.

What's not helping is that suddenly the bats have been silenced as well. The Red Sox (as of the 3rd inning in today's game) have scored 2 runs in the series so far against the White Sox. Pedroia is hitting nothing this week and everyone else seems to be following his lead -- except J.D. Drew who just always has to be contrary.

The Red Sox still have a 2-game lead in the wild card race, but they need to start playing like it's September because in case they don't own calendars, IT'S SEPTEMBER, PEOPLE!

More signings

The Red Sox announced that they have signed Dustin Pedroia to a 6 year deal worth ca. 40M.

And just two years after that, I can get my ticket to see the Bucs play the Pats in Tampa....

Congratulations to Dustin Pedroia!

Every Red Sox fan's favorite little kid just won the American League MVP. Whoo! And well deserved. He had a great season (only his second) and I hope many more to come!