If not the Phillies ...

From the looks of it, the Diamondbacks might make worthy foils to the Red Sox should the Phillies continue to falter and spoil the chances of a Sox-Phils World Series.

{I think Greg conveniently forgot that, like the Phillies, the Sox have a Florida team right on their heels. It will take two teams to win to make it a Phils-Sox World Series.}

Last night, the billed pitching match-up of Dan Haren and Josh Beckett lived up to the ESPN hype. Haren won 2-1. Even though it was a loss, I prefer low-scoring pitching duels and would have loved to watch, except I only caught an occasional pitch because of work.

Tonight the Red Sox, who blew a prime opportunity to come back against the D-Backs in the first game, stole one back with four runs in the 8th to win 5-4.

In other Sox happenings: Kevin Youkilis injured his eye during infield warmups Monday; he didn't start tonight but came in for defense in the 9th. Curt Schilling's surgery went well; he could start throwing in January if he decides to try a comeback. And the Sox are slumping at the polls, especially Jason Varitek, who's now trailing Joe Mauer for the starting spot in the All-Star game.

The Phillies are playing too late for us East Coasters. They're scoreless through three in Oakland.