At least today started better than yesterday ended

Long-time SoxandPhils readers may have noticed that this year we post a lot more often before games end. Last year, Christine thought I would jinx Phillies wins if I posted mid-game, but this year I have to wake up earlier in the mornings, so I don't wait for games to end.

Last night, I knew it was dicey starting to write when the Phils trailed 3-2 in the 7th. I thought the Red Sox were safe with a 9-1 lead. But I woke up today to terse e-mails from my Red Sox mailing list that said things like "Ugh" and "&*($@$&." Translation: biggest Orioles comeback in team's history. The vaunted Red Sox bullpen gave up five runs in each the 7th and 8th inning to lose 11-10. Entering the game, the Red Sox pen led the majors with a 2.89 ERA. It now trails the Rays with a 3.34 ERA.

Today, Josh Beckett took the hill in a matinee. I figured the ugly loss would be the beginning of a skid for the Sox or that Beckett would be the stopper to will the team past the debacle. Neither happened. Beckett was hit early - five runs in four innings - but managed to tough it out through the 7th to help preserve a depleted bullpen.

But the Sox got some revenge against the Orioles, scoring four in the 9th and ultimately winning in the 11th, 6-5. Ugly one-game losing streak over.

The Phillies ugliness continued. Cole Hamels wasn't a stopper either. He was knocked out after giving up seven runs in four innings. But he can't take all the blame - the Phillies didn't have a hit until Paul Bako singled with two outs in the 7th. Braves 11, Phillies 1. Unfriggin' real. This is supposed to be a world-class offense, yet they're nearly no-hit every other day. I know they're missing their MVP, Raul Ibanez, who had a setback.

Other news: This morning I told Christine I had a feeling that Rodrigo Lopez would get Friday's start because his name has come up all of a sudden, and the major argument against him is that he's out of options. I didn't think that would be a deal breaker because either he pitches well and is up for the season, or he stinks and the Phillies lose minor-league filler. Neither option is particularly bad. Well, guess who's getting the start.

Better news: This should cinch a spot for Tim Wakefield on the All-Star team.