Somber pause

We take a moment from the feelings of joy, pride and relief that our teams are headed to the playoffs for the third straight year to remember two of our loyal and aged soldiers who won't be seeing action in October and maybe never again: Tim Wakefield and Jamie Moyer.

They've combined for 40 seasons, more than 1,000 starts and 440 wins.

They were drafted when we were still in grade school.

They are consummate pros who played vital, at times under-appreciated roles in our championships.

They aren't the splashiest players and probably never the most important member of the team, but I can't picture the SoxandPhils without them, but for the next month, because of different injuries, their roles will be ours: cheerleader.

Last night, Christine noted that we haven't heard much from J-Moy since he was dumped to the bullpen. He spoke yesterday and sounded like the old Moyer, not the guy who was bitter about the demotion:

"You know what? You deal with it. That's life, and you roll with the punches. I'm not going to complain about it. I had a good run here. My time isn't over here. I'm going to enjoy it, make the best of it, and be a cheerleader."

While Moyer says he will be back, sadly, Eric Wilbur isn't so sure that Wakefield will be:

It's been so long since we've seen a season without Tim Wakefield, and nobody is exactly looking forward to one. But maybe it's time.

Then again, after that awful parting gift last night, the Red Sox should feel obliged to pick up the $4 million for next season, so just Wakefield can get a proper goodbye. I fear though that sometime in November, we'll get a press conference instead. The highlight reel is going to be a cool one.

Tonight's games: The Red Sox beat the Indians 3-0 in an irrelevant game except that Jon Lester pitched really well in his first appearance since taking a liner off his knee last week: two hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 shutout innings.

Former Phil prospect Carlos Carrasco started for the Tribe, but had to leave in the 3rd inning after he took a liner off the knee.

In a game that matters only for playoff positioning, the Phillies lost to the Astros 5-3. They are now a game ahead of the Cardinals and one behind the Dodgers, so there is some intrigue left as to whether they will be the first, second or third seed.

A sincere tip of the hat to a Yank

Among all Yankees, one I don't despise too much is Mariano Rivera. He's not utterly overrated like Derek Jeter, a hired gun like Alex Rodriguez or just obnoxious like Joba Chamberlain. He's a consummate professional who dominates.

Even after the Red Sox knocked him around a few times in 2004, he still scares me. He won me over at the ring ceremony in 2005 when he tipped his hats to the fans who gave him a standing ovation for blowing those games in the ALCS.

Last night, he became the second pitcher in history with 500 saves. I congratulate him. Sincerely.

Interesting read by The Record's Ian O'Connor. It turns out Mo was nearly traded for Felix Fermin in 1996 because there was some concern about Derek Jeter being able to hack it in his rookie year. I never knew that tidbit. I wish it were true because then it would rank among the worst trades of all time, and we'd probably still be hearing about how the Yankees haven't won a World Series since 1981.

Back to our teams: The Phillies, who still haven't announced Carlos Carrasco will debut Thursday, were off. The Red Sox, with seven shutout innings by Jon Lester, beat the Orioles 4-0.

And they're off

Last year, the big competition in SoxandPhils camp was between Coco Crisp and Jacoby Ellsbury for the Red Sox starting centerfielder job. But you had the feeling that it was Ellsbury's job to lose.

This year, the only big competition is Phillies fifth starter, and while Kyle Kendrick seems to be the favorite, I have the feeling anyone could grab it. The two most untested candidates, Carlos Carrasco and J.A. Happ, went today.

Scott Lauber declared it a draw, although Carrasco had the prettier line - three strikeouts in two innings with no baserunners. Happ also tossed two shutout innings, but he allowed a hit. It's good to see the youngsters show some desire to grab the job and take it. Unlike last spring when Adam Eaton pitched poorly but kept his job anyway.

Free agent nibbling

A Yankee-loving colleague, who hasn't been thrilled with the Yankees' desire to have CC Sabathia open their new park, wasn't happy either with recent reports that the Angels are about to jump into the fray. If CC gets his wish and stays out West, he reasoned, there's even more of a chance the Yankees would overpay for A.J. Burnett.

Burnett, who has just two seasons (both preceding free agency years) of making at least 30 starts, has been linked to several teams. He's already been mentioned in Boston, but that seemed like a move to drive up his price for the Yankees. And now, perhaps more puzzling, he's being discussed in Philadelphia.

I don't buy it. The Phillies overpay for mediocre free agent pitchers - see Eaton, Adam - but not usually for ones who will command top dollar. They're also linked to Derek Lowe, who makes a bit more sense given he won't cost as much in dollars or years. But as Christine reasons, even if they lose Jamie Moyer, they still have J.A. Happ, Kyle Kendrick and Carlos Carrasco to fill the last two slots in the rotation. Oh yeah, I'm forgetting somebody else. Did I mention him already today?

Christine and I have thought it's been a quiet off-season. I didn't think too much about it because neither of our teams faces major overhauls. But turns out it's one of the slowest starts to off-season maneuvering ever.