Tim Wakefield's never-ending quest for 200 wins has officially become exhausting

Full disclosure: I can’t stand knuckleball pitchers.

Tim Wakefield the person is a tremendous guy. He does a ton of charity work, so much that he has been nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award eight times, winning it once (2010).

He’s a great guy, and he’s impossible not to root for.

But, as a pitcher, he drives me insane.

As far as knuckleballers go, he’s pretty good. He’s very good. Probably the best ever. But, to me, that’s like calling him the skinniest kid at fat camp.

He’s still fat, he’s just slightly less fat than the rest of the fatties.

But regardless of what you think about knuckleball pitchers, you can’t help but root for Tim Wakefield. On the other hand, he’s maddening to watch.

The juxtaposition is what makes his pursuit of 200 wins so exhausting.

He keeps trying, and he keeps pitching just good enough to lose. Or he leaves the game too early and the bullpen blows it. Or he’s left in the game a little too long and he implodes.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

It just won’t end.

I can’t stand it anymore. Wake goes from unhittable to batting practice fastball in the blink of an eye. How Tito Francona deals with him is beyond me. Whenever someone gets on base it’s like a free triple because he throws slower than most little leaguers, and once they get on third base they’re just as likely to score off a wild pitch as they are a base hit.

It’s maddening.

And his next start is going to come in Texas against the powerful Rangers line-up. I’m sure that’ll work out just fine.

Fact is, Wakefield is barely good enough to start in the Majors at this point in his career. Over the last three seasons, Wakefield has a 4.95 ERA. He’s like a soft throwing John Lackey.

So, please, baseball Gods, just let him get his 200th win. Then immediately hold a retirement ceremony, make a huge contribution to a charity or three in his name, and never, ever allow the Red Sox to sign another knuckleballer again.

Thanks!

Patiently waiting for Patriots DT Albert Haynesworth to no longer be "day-to-day"

Remember Albert Haynesworth?

The New England Patriots signed him a few weeks ago. There was a lot of hubbub about it, since he’s a known dirt-bag and a former defensive player of the year.

You may recall that Haynesworth didn't practice right away. When he finally did practice it was only for a few minutes, but he did show flashes of the dominance that convinced the Washington Redskins to give him insane money a few years back.

Haynesworth took a pay-cut and told the media he was a changed man who wanted desperately to rehabilitate his image while a member of the New England Patriots.

His job, he said, was to kill the quarterback.

After all that, Haynesworth disappeared. He hasn't practiced, he hasn't played, he hasn't been seen by anyone. Nobody knows where he is, why he's gone, or when he'll be back. 

Bill Belichick was asked about Haynesworth’s status and whether or not he expects his big defensive tackle to be ready for the season opener during his conference call with the media on Friday.

“He's day-to-day.”

OK, but is he in Gillette Stadium somewhere? Does anyone know where he is? Should we put out an APB? He’s a big dude, someone must have seen him. Right? 

“All the players are here.”

There is no more frustrating thing in the world than trying to pry injury information out of Bill Belichick.

The absence of Haynesworth has not gone unnoticed by the Boston media. Some have questioned whether or not we’ll see him play a down in a Patriots uniform.

After all, the defense looked pretty good without him Thursday night.

But that line of thinking is awfully shortsighted. To use a baseball analogy, that’s like saying “We already have a pretty good line-up. We really don’t need that Adrian Gonzalez guy?”

Well, maybe it’s not a perfect analogy. Unless Gonzalez cleat-stomped an opponent’s head and celebrated by sexually harassing a waitress without me hearing about it.

But you get the point. The Patriots defensive line looked pretty good Thursday night, but it would have looked even better with a healthy, motivated Haynesworth.

So let’s quit the “we don’t need Haynesworth, release the bum” talk and start up the “think about how good the Patriots will be once Haynesworth is ready” talk.

Because a healthy Albert Haynesworth is one of the few guys in the NFL who can do things like this:

Red Sox ace Josh Beckett says recent schedule "dumbest thing he's ever seen"

Red Sox ace Josh Beckett is not a fan of whomever puts together the Major League Baseball schedule.

According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, Beckett, never one to mince words, had this to say yesterday about the Red Sox recent schedule, including the ridiculous 3 games in 28 hours his team was forced to play earlier this week against the Tampa Bay Rays.

"Our travel hasn't exactly been great," he said. "I know that our offense is taking a lot of flack for that. How can you not be tired with the [expletive] that we went through the last week and a half? I don't know how they do it. There's been several days where a couple of these guys have played and I don't know how they did it.

"This travel has been horrible. I don't know who the [expletive] made that doubleheader that day. They [the Rays] come back one more time. We haven't exactly been treated fair here the last week or so. That doubleheader being the most glaring thing for me. I'm not real sure how that gets thrown on that day.

"I don't know how they expect them to still score eight runs after coming back from Seattle, having half an off day and then go get 'em for three games in a day and a half. ... I don't who the [expletive] agreed to that. It was the dumbest thing I've ever seen."

And that was Beckett after a WIN.

Two things I love about Josh Beckett: 1) He always takes responsibility when he pitches like crap, and 2) he always says exactly what he wants to say, however it is he wants to say it, to whomever he wants to say it, whenever he wants to say it.

And, by the way, he’s right.

It was insane to play a double-header this week given the schedule. As Peter Abraham points out, the Red Sox are in the middle of a stretch where they play 37 games in 38 days in six different states and three different time zones. Not exactly an ideal time to throw in a double-header.

The Rays come back to Fenway on September 15th. With expanded rosters, and off days on both September 12th and 22nd, that would have been a far more reasonable place to insert a double-header.

But, then, nobody ever accused Major League Baseball of being reasonable…

Super looking Patriots dominate helpless Buccaneers 31-14

A week ago the New England Patriots sent the scrubs out to face Jacksonville, and the scrubs mopped the floor with the pathetic Jaguars. While the Patriots looked good, it was hard to read anything into a game where the Patriots backups beat up on the Jaguars backups.

On Thursday, the starters got their first chance to play, and they didn’t disappoint.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a pretty good football team, and the Patriots made them look like the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Patriots cake-walked their way to a 28-0 half time lead behind an on-target Tom Brady and a dominant defense.

Brady played the entire first half, finishing 11-of-19 for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns, including an 8-yard touchdown pass to Chad Ochocinco. He led the Patriots to touchdowns on their first three offensive possessions.

Danny Woodhead and BenJarvus Green-Ellis both looked good thanks to a dominating performance by the first string offensive line. Nate Solder continues to look good filling in for Matt Light, and has proven to be a dominant run blocker.

But the story of the game was the defensive pressure.

The Patriots were in the face of the Tampa Bay quarterbacks all game long. Josh Freeman completed 5 of 10 passes for only 33 yards and was constantly harassed by Andre Carter, Jerod Mayo (2 sacks) and an extremely aggressive Patriots front seven.

You don’t want to overreact to anything you see in the preseason, but the Patriots are definitely looking Super. Bowl. Super Bowl. They’re going to the Super Bowl. Seriously, did you see the game?

Super Bowl.

The Patriots are now winning the preseason 77-26.

Super Bowl.

Celtics guard Rajon Rondo ruined by President Obama joke, says Shaq

President Obama: Closet Muslim, Socialist, Celtics hater.

Still looking for someone to blame for the demise of the 2010-2011 Boston Celtics? Shaq has the answer (and it’s not his injuries, his age, or his commitment to basketball).

According to excerpts from Shaq’s new book, courtesy of CSNNE.com, the problem started at the top.

The very top.

In early March some of the guys went to the museum of Fine Arts for a fund-raiser and got to hang with President Barack Obama. Everyone was a little bit in awe. The President turns to Ray, points at Rondo, and says, “Hey, Ray, why don’t you teach this kid how to shoot?” Everyone starts laughing.

KG told me he saw the look on Rondo’s face and the kid was devastated, embarrassed. Dissed by the President, even though I’m sure Obama didn’t mean any harm. Rondo smiled and went along with all of it, but KG told me he could see it in his eyes. It bothered Rondo. It killed him.

The next day Rondo shot the ball horribly. He stopped taking shots after that. He’s so sensitive. I think it was a real jolt to hear the outside perception of a basketball fan who happens to be the President of the United States. It messed with his mind. I’m sure of it.

According to Shaq, it was all President Obama’s fault.

Barack Hussein Obama, middle name included to remind you that he’s a closet Muslim, had the audacity (pun intended) to make a joke about Rajon Rondo’s jump shot.

That Socialist bastard!

Between destroying the stock market, sabotaging the economy, talking about taxing poor rich people (not actually taxing them, mind you, but talking about it), and ruining Rondo’s ability to hit jump shots, how has this guy not been impeached?

Rondo, meanwhile, is so sensitive that a single presidential joke ruined him.

Of course, that’s assuming Shaq didn’t just making this whole thing up. He wouldn’t just make up a controversial story to help sell a book, would he?

Regardless, if I’m Rondo, I’m not happy.

Either Shaq is a liar, or Shaq just revealed to the world that the Boston Celtics starting point guard has the skin thickness of an 11 year old girl.

If I’m Mitt Romney, I’m asking Rondo for an endorsement in the off chance the story’s true.

I don't think any less of Vince Wilfork, and neither should you...

If you’re angry at Vince Wilfork for what Yahoo! Sports reported was going on at the University of Miami, then you’re anger is extremely misguided.

Yahoo! Sports did a tremendous job uncovering what we all assumed was going on at the University of Miami. The detail behind their report was unbelievable. If you haven’t read it already, you can check it out here.

New England Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork was a huge part of the investigation. According to the report, Wilfork received the following from a booster named Nevin Shapiro while playing for the Miami Hurricanes:

• A $50,000 lump sum payment during Wilfork’s junior season
• Multiple cash gifts totaling in the thousands of dollars.
• Three bounty payments totaling $1,250 for hits on opposing players.
• Multiple trips to nightclubs where Shapiro paid for VIP access and drinks.
• Multiple fishing and leisure trips on the booster’s $1.6 million yacht.
• Multiple meals at Miami-area restaurants.
• Lodging, food and drinks at Shapiro’s $2.7 million Miami Beach home.
• A washer and dryer worth approximately $1,500.

It’s easy to look at that list and condemn Wilfork. He knew the rules. He broke the rules. That makes him a bad guy. Outrage. Anger. Blah.

Save it.

Vince Wilfork was a young kid with no money who just saw both of his parents die. David and Barbara Wilfork both died within 5 months of each other in 2002. Someone flashed $50,000 in his face. Put yourself in his shoes.

Are you turning down that money?

Me either.

Vince was as much of a victim as anyone else here. The NCAA needs to clean up this mess. They need to stop allowing their athletes to be put in a situation where they need to turn down $50,000.

Because no penniless college kid is going to turn down $50,000. Period. They aren’t. Even for a free education.

I respect Wilfork for getting through school and becoming an NFL superstar immediately after losing both of his parents. This story doesn’t impact that respect one bit.

Eli Manning is the good kind of delusional

Let’s get this out of the way right away.

Eli Manning is not a top 3 quarterback. He’s not a top 5 quarterback. He’s not a top 10 quarterback. Based on last season’s performance, he’s arguably not even a top 15 or a top 20 quarterback.

But, really, don’t you want your franchise quarterback to think he is?

Maybe the best way to answer the question was with some vanilla Belichick-ian response about how rankings, like stats, are for losers. But the idea that Manning should have admitted to the world that he isn’t a very good quarterback is stupid.

What was he supposed to say?

“No, I’m not in the same class as Tom Brady! What are you, crazy? Sure, I beat him head to head in the Super Bowl, but let’s be real. I’m not even in Kyle Orton’s class; I throw too many interceptions. Maybe Jay Cutler? Or Chad Henne? What do you think?”

Eli Manning may be delusional, but it’s the good kind of delusional.

If a quarterback doesn’t think he’s great, he won’t play great. I want my quarterback to be Tom Brady, and if he can’t be Tom Brady, I want him to have Eli Manning’s confidence.

And maybe Peyton Manning’s everything else…

Seriously, I have no problem with anything Eli Manning said. And neither should anyone else…

NFL's new instant replay rule is going to drive fans insane

A few things stood out during the New England Patriots preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but nothing more than the NFL’s new instant replay rule.

The NFL, in their infinite wisdom, has decided to make all touchdowns reviewable.

On the surface, the rule makes sense. A miscalled touchdown could swing a game, and in the NFL one game can be the difference between a bye in the first round of the playoffs and missing the playoffs altogether.

So it makes sense to want to get the calls right.

But reviewing every close touchdown is going to cause games to grind to a screeching halt. The time it takes to buzz the official, get him to the replay monitor, have him watch multiple replays, then report his decision is completely and utterly unacceptable.

The issue is not instant replay; it’s the process of instant replay.

Why does the official on the field have to review the play? Why not have an official sitting in a room with a bunch of huge TVs reviewing plays? If it needs to be overturned, buzz the official on the field and tell him to overturn it.

I’ll never understand why the guys who screwed up the call originally have to be the ones to overturn it. Is it a pride thing? Do we not want to show up on-field officials by having someone else review/overturn their calls?

There is no legitimate reason why we can’t have a replay official handle the reviews. It’d be faster, less disruptive, and you’d be more likely to have a close call looked at objectively if someone other than the guy who made the original call reviews it.

So, NFL, please feel free to review every close play. Get the call right. But let’s fix the process so we get the right call made as quickly as possible with as little disruption to the flow of the game as possible.

Logan Mankins, Patriots (finally) agree to a long-term contract extension

A year ago today things were not good between Logan Mankins and the New England Patriots.

Mankins wanted a long term contract extension, the Patriots were not willing to give him one before the lockout, and Mankins was just beginning a long holdout that would last well into the 2010 NFL season.

There were accusations of lying, reported demands for public apologies, lawsuits against the NFL, reported demands for cash and/or free agency, and finally a signed franchise tag tender.

But then Mankins showed up for camp on time and told the media he was open to signing a long term extension with the Patriots.

He then backtracked on the whole lying thing. Or, more specifically, he said he never called Robert Kraft a liar. Kraft, meanwhile, told the world that he expected Mankins to be a Patriot for life.

So, it seemed, it was just a matter of time before the Patriots and Mankins would work out a long term deal.

On Wednesday, they worked out that deal.

According to ESPN, the Patriots and Logan Mankins have agreed to a six-year contract extension. Terms of the agreement are not known at this time, but odds are it will make him one of the highest paid guards in the NFL.

And Mankins, who is universally regarded as one of the best and most underpaid guards in the NFL, definitely deserves the pay raise.

Mankins was due to receive $10.1 million in 2011 while playing on the one-year franchise tender. The extension will likely lower Mankins’ 2011 cap hit to a more palatable number while giving him significantly more than $10.1 million in guaranteed money.

The added cap space for the Patriots and long-term security for Mankins makes the extension, regardless of the terms, a win-win.

Between the Mankins extension and the Chad Ochocinco/Albert Haynesworth restructuring, the Patriots now have some cap space to play with.

Maybe they can use some of that cap space to extend Wes Welker…

Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth take pay cuts to play for Patriots

If you’re looking for an indication that newcomers Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth are buying into the Patriots’ way of doing thing, look no further than their contracts.

Ochocinco was scheduled to make $6 million in 2011, the final year of a 6-year, $35.5 million contract he signed back in 2006 while a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Ochocinco and the Patriots worked out a 2-year extension as a part of his restructured deal. Ochocinco will now make a cool $1 million in 2011 and $3 million in both 2012 and 2013.

There are likely performance bonuses built in that can bring his salary for 2011 closer to the $6 million he gave up, but this restructured deal is definitely team and salary cap friendly.

Haynesworth, meanwhile, had his 2011 base salary cut from $5.4 million to $1.5 million. Playing time incentives can get him back up to $5.45 million, and he could even earn an additional $400k if he makes the Pro Bowl.

Hayesworth’s restructuring wasn’t about taking a pay cut as much as it was about reducing the risk for the Patriots. If Haynesworth is on the week 1 roster, his base salary for 2011 becomes guaranteed. Now, if Haynesworth becomes more trouble than he’s worth, the Patriots are only on the hook for $1.5 million.

Haynesworth wants to rehabilitate his image, and restructuring his 2011 salary down to a more team-friendly number is a pretty good start. 

Related Stories: 

• Patriots defensive changes all about pressuring the opposing quarterback
• Patriots fans, media pounce as Albert Haynesworth misses first practice 
• Patriots get bad guy, potentially great player in Albert Haynesworth

Patriots will honor Myra Kraft, and Myra Kraft deserves to be honored

When I heard that the New England Patriots were dedicating the 2011 season to the late Myra Kraft, the first thing that came to mind was the Christian Peter situation from back in 1996.

Frankly, I was annoyed with myself.

Myra Kraft was so much more than the meddling wife that forced Bill Parcells to cut loose one of his draft picks. She was truly a great woman.

I’m not going to go into a ton of details, but it’s horribly unfair that Myra Kraft is remembered by anyone for just the Christian Peter thing.

Ask the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston what she should be remembered for and they’ll tell you her tireless work raising money for their organization.

Take a look at the great things the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation does and know that she was the primary reason for its existence.

Myra Kraft and her husband have donated hundreds of millions of dollars to charitable organizations, they run their own charitable organizations, and there are youth sports programs that wouldn’t even exist today if it weren’t for them.

She allowed her husband to buy the New England Patriots only after he promised it would help, not hurt, her charitable ventures.

Myra Kraft was a great woman who did great things. That’s what she should be remembered for, and that’s what I’ll think about when I see a Patriots player wearing an MHK patch this season.

I have no doubt that if there is a heaven, and if heaven needs someone to raise money for a good cause, Myra Kraft is up there strong-arming rich dead people into giving every penny they can afford to help the cause.

The world would be a much, much better place if there were more people like Myra Kraft.

And you know what else? She was right about Christian Peter.

Jerry Rice's petty, one-sided feud with Randy Moss is kinda pathetic

Jerry Rice’s petty feud with Randy Moss jumped the shark a couple of years ago. Someone needs to tell Jerry.

I’m admittedly a huge, unapologetic Randy Moss fan, but even I’m willing to concede that there are plenty of reasons to bash Randy Moss.

But Jerry Rice’s problems with Randy Moss have nothing to do with what he did on the field and everything to do with his feeling disrespected by Moss back in 2008.

It’s petty and ridiculous. Rice needs to get over it.

In case you missed it, Rice had this to say recently about Moss:

"To see a guy with that much talent not give it 100 percent, it was almost like a little slap in the face. But Randy was Randy. He could have been one of the greatest if he had worked just a little bit harder. I don’t think he wanted to give it 100 percent. You never knew what you were going to get with Randy."

There are probably more people who agree with those comments than disagree. But here’s my issue: Find one, single negative Randy Moss comment made by Jerry Rice prior to January of 2008.

You won’t find one. Not a single one.

You know why? Because this isn’t about Moss being lazy. This isn’t about Moss not giving his all on the football field. This is about Moss downplaying the significance of breaking Rice’s single-season touchdown record and then refusing to go on Rice’s radio show to talk about it.

It was “a slap in the face” that Jerry Rice simply can’t get over.

So, Mr. Rice, cut the petty crap and get over yourself.

Patriots defensive changes all about pressuring the opposing quarterback

The New England Patriots somehow went 14-2 while featuring a defense whose best pass rusher was Tully Banta-Cain.

Tully Banta-Cain.

If you don’t think Bill Belichick is the greatest head coach in NFL history, go back and read that first sentence again.

Tully Banta-Cain.

For the Patriots to get to the next level, they need to get to the opposing quarterback. I know that. You know that. Bill Belichick knows that.

So the reformation, rebuilding, whatever-you-want-to-call-it of the New England Patriots defense began with that very goal in mind.

Ty Warren and Tully Banta-Cain were sent packing.

Jermaine Cunningham and Eric Moore began practicing as 4/3 defensive ends instead of 3/4 outside linebackers.

They traded for Albert Haynesworth, a dominating 4/3 defensive tackle who doesn’t particularly care for playing in a 3/4.

They brought in Shaun Ellis, a versatile defensive end who tormented Tom Brady last season.

They signed Andre Carter, a 4/3 defensive end who, at this point in his career, is basically a situational pass rusher.

They brought in Mark Anderson, another 4/3 defensive end who has shown the ability to rush the passer.

They resigned Gerard Warren, who was a pretty good player for them last year.

Basically, if you were a defensive lineman who can play in a 4/3 and you have a pulse, the Patriots either signed you, or tried to sign you.

Here is what I know about the 2011 New England Patriots.

1. Their base defense will have four defensive linemen. Whether it’s a traditional 4/3, a 4/2/5, or some other alignment, it’ll definitely feature 4 defensive linemen.
2. The Patriots will get pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
3. The Patriots will be better on third down in 2011 than they were in 2010.
4. If your name is Ron Brace or Myron Pryor, you should probably be a little worried about your spot on the roster.

Belichick did a great job of hiding it, but his defense had a fatal flaw in 2010. It couldn’t pressure opposing quarterbacks. That fatal flaw resulted in one of the worst 3rd down defenses in NFL history.

Belichick is changing both the scheme and the personnel in the hopes that his defense won’t have that same fatal flaw in 2011.

Just a guess, but I’m pretty confident the 2011 Patriots won’t miss Tully Banta-Cain…

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Jonathan Papelbon is really, really good again

If you wrote an article previewing the 2011 Boston Red Sox, odds are the name “Jonathan Papelbon” appeared in the "Questions" section.

Papelbon was coming off his worst season as a professional, he hadn't been truly dominant since the 2008 season, and seemed to have lost the dominating fastball that made him one of the best closers in the game early in his career.

In that same preview article you probably asked when, not if, the Red Sox would move Daniel Bard into the closer role. You probably wondered whether Bobby Jenks was brought in as Papelbon insurance.

You probably wondered if Papelbon would still be a member of the Boston Red Sox after the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline.

Don’t feel bad. We were all wondering the same thing. We all thought Papelbon’s best days were behind him.

And we were all wrong. And we’re all more than happy to admit it.

Papelbon has been as dominating as any closer in the history of baseball over the last couple of months.

Papelbon last gave up a run on July 16th. He last gave up a run in a save situation on July 6th. He hasn’t blown a save since May 9th, a game he ended up winning. That, by the way, is his only blown save of the season.

Papelbon hasn’t walked a guy since July 10th. In his last 10 innings pitched, he has 12 strikeouts and 0 walks. During that stretch he’s given up only 2 hits and he hasn’t come close to giving up a run.

His dominating fastball is back. He’s once again one of the best closers in the game.

And if the 2011 Boston Red Sox win the World Series, Papelbon will be one of the biggest reasons why. 

All Hail John Lackey!

Say what you want about the guy, and I’ve said a ton of things about him (just take a peek at my Twitter account), but John Lackey came through today in a big way.

Lackey’s pitching line from this afternoon: 6 innings, 6 hits, 2 walks, 5 strike outs, and only 3 runs.

Yes please, and may I have another.

THAT is the John Lackey we all thought the Red Sox overpaid for...

Don't look now, but the New York Yankees are the best team in the American League

Everyone wanted to write off the New York Yankees this season.

They’re old. They have no pitching. Their third baseman is a complete tool. Etc.

But, unfortunately for those of us who despise anything and everything about the Yankees, they’ve been the best team in the American League all season long.

They’ve done everything. They’ve pitched. They’ve hit. They’ve beaten everyone.

Except the Boston Red Sox.

Even after Friday night’s 3-2 win over Jon Lester and the Red Sox, the Yankees are still just 2-8 this season against their biggest rival. Were it not for that 2-8 record against Boston, the Yankees would be running away with the American League.

The Yankees are 67-34 against teams not from Boston this season. The Red Sox, meanwhile, are 60-41 against teams not from New York.

While everyone is touting this series as important for the Yankees, the opposite is probably just as true. The Yankees have proven they can beat everyone in baseball except for the Red Sox. And while the Red Sox aren’t too shabby themselves, they’re simply not as good as the Yankees against the other 28 teams.

To keep their advantage in the AL East they need to keep beating New York.

Winning the AL East isn’t the most important thing in the world, but the path to the World Series sure is easier for the team that does win the AL East. The AL East winner gets the AL Central winner, who will be a much, much easier opponent than the winner of the AL West.

Nobody wants to play Texas in October, and while the Red Sox have a good history against the Angels, they’re still a tougher opponent than anyone from the AL Central.

So, don’t kid yourself into thinking it’s OK to lose 2 of 3 at home against the Yankees because they “need it more” than the Red Sox. It’s just not true. The Red Sox need these games as much, if not more than the Yankees.

And, by the way, Saturday the Red Sox send ace workhorse good pitcher mediocre fifth starter punching-bag John Lackey to the mound to face off against C.C. Sabathia.

Ugh.