Zo needs to know Mo'

Christine and I have always liked Todd Zolecki. He lives baseball, is sarcastic and knows his pop culture.

Well, that last part isn't so true anymore.

He started off tonight's blog post with such a strong theme, linking Pat Burrell's compliment of the Phillies - "To be the best you've got to beat the best" - to Charlie Manuel's reaction to the line with a Ric Flair reference.

Then, it went downhill:

Does this make the Giants the Iron Sheik?

Update: I'm told Flair and Sheik were in two different wrestling leagues. So I guess that makes the Giants "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes?

So I guess Zo isn't so good with the pop culture after all. {Zolecki's pop culture knowledge is just fine. Greg's the one who regularly doesn't know basic pop culture references.}

But that reminds me of my Iron Sheik story. I knew a guy in high school who did some low-grade professional wrestling. One night the Sheik was on his card, and afterward when we hooked up at our usual watering hole, we were told the Sheik had been there, ran up a huge tab and left, apparently thinking it was still 1983 and that he was World Champ and that wrestling was real.

Sorry for the tangent, it's been a long week.

Rain forces our attention elsewhere

The Phillies and Marlins were rained out long before the game was supposed to start, postponing the perfect rematch of Josh Johnson and Roy Halladay.

That's OK, because it will allow us to focus on hockey to see whether the Flyers can avoid elimination and force a Game 7 in Chicago. (Full disclosure: I've been more interested in hockey than ever before, but I still feel like I'm listening to another language when I try to watch a game. Christine's interest is legit.)

Even if the Phillies were playing, our attention might have been a bit diverted, and Charlie Manuel might have blamed our lack of focus on the fact that it's our contract year, like he did with Jayson Werth. This incident is going to cause some hard feelings. It's hard for me to take a side, so I'll just blame it on Reggie Jackson.

Without the game, we can take a moment to salute Tim Wakefield for pushing Roger Clemens out of the Red Sox record books for most innings pitched. Congrats to Mr. 2777.

We also have the opportunity to look ahead to this weekend's rematch of the Red Sox and Phillies - this time in Fenway.

It has always seemed like the Red Sox have had the Phillies' number despite a fair number of close, spirited games. The stats backed up my hunch. All time, the Red Sox have a 24-16 record against the Phillies in interleague play. (That doesn't include the 1915 World Series in which the Sox beat the Phils 4-1.) But if you look at the run differential, the Red Sox edge is a bit closer, 223-206. That equates to a .539 winning percentage, not the .600 winning percentage they have had against the Phillies.

A Phillies sweep this weekend would go a long way toward evening up the series. I think the pitching matchups will be Jamie Moyer against John Lackey, Joe Blanton against Daisuke Matsuzaka and Cole Hamels against Tim Wakefield. That's not official yet, so don't be surprised if something changes.

It's too bad that the old guys will miss each other and that three of our team's aces (Roy Halladay, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz) probably won't pitch.

Tonight's game: We were missing a good one in Cleveland that pitted Clay Buchholz against former Red Sox Justin Masterson, who has fallen on some hard times since being traded for Victor Martinez. But he seemed on tonight, two hits and two walks with six strikeouts in eight shutout innings. Clay pitched well too, just not as good - three runs on three hits and four walks in seven innings.

But then Boof Bonser made his Red Sox debut. It didn't go well. It's now 11-0 Indians in the 8th.

Hockey: Flyers and Blackhawks are tied 2-2 in the 2nd period.

What's on TV tonight?

The Phillies are off today, and the Red Sox stunk it up in the afternoon. The Rangers and White Sox are playing on MLB Network and it's Bark at the Park night, but we're in the mood for something a little different.

Maybe a little Gran Torino?

Nah, might make Charlie Manuel upset:

"I got upset when I came in and saw everybody looking at movies. We had a whole audience in there looking at movies and [bleep]. And I thought, 'What the hell? We should be getting ready for the damn game.' I don't like things like that," said Manuel of the clubhouse television, which earlier had been showing "Gran Torino."

I've tried to remain level-headed, but this is starting to get ridiculous. I know you have to be careful about making comparisons between real life and the professional athlete's world, but I think that on some levels it's still a job. And when you've been sucking it up at work, you don't let the boss see you goofing off, whether you're a multimillion dollar athlete or just a schlub at a desk.

This afternoon, the Phils bowled for Jimmy Rollins annual charity event. I predict they'll win a squeaker tomorrow (Roy Halladay is pitching), but I think that they're going to explode on Saturday. Just a hunch.

And, Christine spotted The Goonies on AMC. I hope that one of her favorite movies of our youth can take her mind off the Phillies problems for awhile.

Today's game: The Red Sox exploded for eight runs on 18 hits, but that wasn't enough for Tim Wakefield, who isn't exactly making a strong case to stay in the rotation whenever Josh Beckett returns. Wake gave up six runs and put his mates in a 9-3 hole. They battled - five runs over the last four innings - but couldn't tie it up. A's 9, Red Sox 8. At least there was no concern about a perfect game controversy.

Milestones

Earlier this week, Tim Wakefield got his 2,000th strikeout, joining Jamie Moyer and a couple of cruddy Yankees, roider Andy Pettitte and Javier Vazquez, as active pitchers in the 2K club.

Last night, Jamie Moyer became the second pitcher in history, behind the late Robin Roberts, to give up 500 home runs. When you've pitched as long as those guys, you are going to have good numbers and bad numbers:

"There's a lot of chances out there," Moyer said. "You can't give up 500 in 600 at-bats, can you? I've thrown a few innings in my career. You're going to give up hits, home runs, walks, strikeouts, errors. I don't really keep track of it all."

I hit a milestone myself. Less than a year after I got my new bike, the odometer hit 1,000 miles this morning. I'm proud. I just wish I knew when I actually got it. I bought it on May 30, but I forgot to note when I picked it up - probably the following weekend.

Anybody wanna bulldog? Pat Burrell's career is over - well, the Tampa portion anyway. He was designated for assignment. Charlie Manuel thinks he'll rebound: "I think Burrell can still hit," Charlie Manuel said. "I think he'll get a job. I hope he does."

Either that, or he's subtly trying to convince the Mets to sign him, knowing full well that Burrell's done. I don't think Christie would handle it well if she saw Elvis in blue and orange.

Today's games: Joe Blanton is pitching well - one hit and no runs through four. But unlike last week, he's been efficient with only 43 pitches so far. In the 5th, Phillies 2, Brewers 0. {But just as soon as I was ready to post this, Blanton gave up a home run to Prince Fielder. Phillies 2, Brewers 1.}

The Red Sox play the Tigers tonight.

Whining

There's been a lot of whining lately:

*The Red Sox, mostly Dustin Pedroia, whined about the umpires yesterday, even though they had a point about Dale Scott's strike zone.

*The Mets Jeff Francoeur whined about the Phillies getting three extra home games. They're not home games. They will bat first and use a DH. Sounds like an American League game to us. Seriously, we know it's not the best situation, but what else could be done? It's a safety issue. If the Mets have a problem with it, they can simply win more games than the Phillies.

*Phillies bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer was reprimanded by baseball for using binoculars in the bullpen after the Rockies whined that the Phillies are cheating. The Mets and Dodgers have similarly whined in the past. And Charlie Manuel whined that the Dodgers are poor losers and that the Mets must be cheating or else their home and road records wouldn't be so different.

*Rays manager Joe Maddon didn't whine, but he had the best defense of Billmeyer, his former colleague:

"Are you sure he was looking at the other catcher's signs?" Maddon asked the St. Petersburg Times. "I hate to throw [Billmeyer] under the bus, but I would check something else first and then I would accuse him of stealing signs maybe third or fourth or fifth. Knowing him, I don't believe it was anything to do with stealing signs. I would actually bet on that. And I can say that because he's still a single guy."

OK, I get that he's a horn dog. But what else could be on the list before sign stealing?

Today's games: Both teams are off. Tomorrow they start series against the Central: Phillies at Brewers, Red Sox at Tigers. I hope there's less whining and more winning.

Mowing 'em down

When I got home tonight, I realized my grass had grown six inches over the past week, and with a decent chance of rain tomorrow morning, I decided to be a responsible adult and broke out the mower instead of watching the Red Sox battle the Yankees on MLB Network.

I didn't miss much. Josh Beckett got shelled, and Phil Hughes is pitching like Josh Beckett circa 2007. In the 8th, Yankees 10, Red Sox 2. Blech.

I did miss a fun little bit of history in Philadelphia, however, as Jamie Moyer became the oldest pitcher to ever throw a complete game shutout. He was beautiful: two hits and no walks. He needed just 105 pitches (71 strikes) to finish off the Braves 7-0. In the 2nd, he needed only three pitches, and that was one of the two innings he gave up a hit. He saw 25 pitches in his four at-bats.

Jayson Stark and Rob Neyer were all a-Twitter during the game.

Charlie Manuel got so excited that he's going to have to miss tomorrow's game. Just kidding. He will miss tomorrow's game, but that was announced before Jamie Moyer made his push to catch Roy Halladay on the all-time complete game list. They're just saying non-health personal reasons. We're guessing he's finally getting hitched to his long-time companion, Melissa Martin.

C'mon Todd Zolecki, get the scoop. We're dying to know.

Joe Maddon goes SoxandPhils

Rays manager Joe Maddon was all over SoxandPhils news this week.

First, he's a big Jacoby Ellsbury fan, offering a different prediction on our speedster:

"I could see this guy, he's going to get beyond just being speed," Maddon said yesterday before the Rays edged the Sox, 11-9, at City of Palms Park. "He could hit 20-plus home runs this year."

Maddon has based that prediction on his perception that Ellsbury "looks bigger and stronger," although Ellsbury said he gained only 3 pounds since last season.

Funny, on Sunday, Nick Cafardo noted that "the No. 2 jersey makes Jacoby Ellsbury look smaller."

Meanwhile, Terry Francona tried to approach Ellsbury the way that Lou Brown handled things when Willie Mays Hays started swinging for the fences in Major League:

"We don't have any intentions of telling Jake to be anything different than what he is," Francona said. "Over the course of him getting bigger, getting stronger, getting more mature, knowing the league, he probably will hit some more home runs. But I think when you tell guys what they have to do, it doesn't work very often." ...

And Maddon didn't just face his division rivals this week. He had a rematch of the 2008 World Series, and he suddenly became a Charlie Manuel interpreter (although Christine thinks he was making this stuff up). Here is his version of why the Rays were allowed to use a DH when playing the Phillies:

"So Charlie conceded, or acquiesced, to doing it and I appreciate that very much. We requested it and Charlie said cool. I don't know if Charlie actually said 'cool,' but Charlie said 'yes.' Actually, I think 'righteous' is what he said."

Righteous, dude.

I'm not talking to Christine

I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox. I will not jinx injury on the Red Sox.

Explanation for Christine's chalkboard punishment? Last night when writing again about our teams' quiet spring trainings except for flu bugs, Christine pointed out that neither team had an injury. Less than an hour later, she was wondering why Dustin Pedroia wasn't in the Red Sox game that was on MLB Network:

The injury bug had been biding its time with the Red Sox this spring.

Last night, it struck pretty hard.

Dustin Pedroia left the game against the Twins at Hammond Stadium because of a mild sprain to his left wrist. He was listed as day-to-day but the Sox no doubt will take a conservative tack in the days ahead to ensure their All-Star second baseman and team sparkplug does not carry the injury into the regular season.

Fortunately - for the Red Sox and Christine - the X-rays were negative and he seems to be OK:

"He's already lobbying to play tomorrow," Francona said after learning that the wrist was not broken. "That probably won't happen." Francona said Pedroia likely will take batting practice tomorrow to see how he feels and play Friday.

That kind of manager-bratty player exchange reminded me of Brett Myers, who will pitch against the Phillies tomorrow. He is already missed by Charlie Manuel:

"I miss Myers," Manuel said. "I miss getting on him. I miss his mouth. I miss everything. I think in our camp this year, it’s been a little quieter without Myers."

Cholly invades New York

After checking the traffic report on an FM station while driving to work yesterday, I flipped back to AM and heard Charlie Manuel talking, which was odd because the tuner was on New York's WFAN.

He was on to promote Nutrisystem and had a really good interview with Mets fans Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton, who pretty much acknowledged that they would love Cholly and the Phillies if they weren't supposed to be enemies. (Kind of like how, in a quiet moment, I admit I respect Mariano Rivera.)

Among the highlights:

Manuel laughed when asked whether the Mets were nothing but choke artists and losers who will never win. "What did you say, 'we're men among men?' I'm not going to answer that."

Carton:

If you played in any other town we'd love you and your team because It's a very likable team. You get dirty, you're gritty. You're as good as a clutch team as any in the last five, 10 years in baseball. Who doesn't like Chase Utley? He's like an old-timer. The only problem is that you're red and you come from Philadelphia. If it weren't for that, we'd love you guys. Sons of bitches is what I say.

Later, when Manuel was asked which Phillie will be a big surprise this year, he listed Danys Baez, Jose Contreras, Placido Polanco and Carlos Ruiz. He was ready to keep going, but Carton objected.

"You can't name the whole team," he said.

"Well, you know he's not lying to us," Boomer said. "He's telling the truth and he's making us miserable."

And, for the record, Charlie said he never went down the drug road that Ron Washington did.

I want a recount

In making the case that Charlie Manuel is the best Phillies manager ever, Paul Hagen was a little too quick to dismiss a man who has one more ring than Cholly - the one, the only, Terry Francona:

Sorry, Tito, you're the first to go. We always knew you had the right stuff to succeed, but you never had a chance here. The front office raised expectations with a "Bring It On" slogan your last season without giving you the talent to back it up. Then-general manager Ed Wade has since said firing you was the biggest mistake he ever made. But we can't give you credit for what you did after you left. Especially in Boston. Remember, this is a National League game.

Seriously, I can't argue with this, and I'm actually surprised to see a writer from Philly speak so well of Francona. I thought he was unfairly loathed. And we're always glad to see a reference to Bring It On - a classically cheesy Phillies slogan.

If former Phillies got to vote for their favorite manager, I think Pat Burrell, who misses Philadelphia, would pick Cholly:

"I don't know if there is any way of saying this without getting myself in trouble," Burrell said. "But there is definitely a different excitement level [in Philadelphia]. I think more than anything, there is a stronger tradition for baseball there. That goes without saying."

I'm certain Chan Ho Park would vote for Chuck:

"Say hi to Charlie for me. Tell him he's the best manager I've ever played for."

So Cholly is the best Phillies manager ever. Terry will have to settle for being the best Red Sox manager.

Shagadelic

There has been buzz this week about the first impressions made in camp by top SoxandPhils prospects Domonic Brown and Casey Kelly, but thanks to the unintentional comedic stylings of Charlie Manuel, they were overshadowed by a minor leaguer ranked the 205th best prospect in baseball.

Mr. 205, Tyson Gillies, made a big impression on Cholly: "He's something, man. He takes shagging to another level."

I don't know much about Gillies or his prospects, but I think he should retire tomorrow. No matter how well he does in his career, he will never have a highlight as good as this one.

Pat Burrell's impact

According to The Bill James Handbook, Charlie Manuel used more pinch runners in 2007 (56) and 2008 (62) than any other manager. He also used a lot of defensive substitutes in those years (75 and 60).

Those numbers plummeted last year: only 20 pinch runners and 16 defensive replacements. In the National League, a manager averaged 20 pinch runners last year and 38 defensive switches.

How much of Cholly's decreased use in switches is due to the fact that our beloved Pat Burrell, a plodding left fielder, was jettisoned for Raul Ibanez?

Incidentally, the Phillies also, by far, used the fewest number of lineups of any team last year. Cholly used only 68 lineups the entire season; the only other team with fewer than 100 lineups was the Marlins with 97.

Missed one: The other day, I noted that while Roger Clemens was making his 375th start for the Red Sox on Aug. 17, 1996, an unknown named Rich Hunter was making his eighth start for the Phillies. Christine, however, noticed that for Seattle on that day, a 33-year-old pitcher was making his 243rd start. His name? Jamie Moyer.

Speculatin'

Baseball writers throughout the country again snubbed Charlie Manuel for Manager of the Year while our teams' scribes have been busy posturing potential player acquisitions.

Terry Francona spoke today (it seems like a long time since we've heard anything from the Red Sox) and discussed his wish list. It sounds like he wants Jason Bay back and additional pitching - but his comments about John Lackey convinced me that the Red Sox are not pursuing the free agent:

Every year, there's a couple guys that seem like they can sway the fortunes of an organization. I think he's that type of pitcher. Now, to get that type of pitcher, you're going to have to make quite a commitment. That's something that makes our organization a little bit uneasy. It doesn't mean a guy can't come in and help you win, but if there's an injury along the way, that can set your organization back quite a bit. So there's a lot to think about besides just the year 2010. You're possibly talking about 2015. That's a lot of years.

Funny, they weren't too uneasy about paying more than $100 million to acquire and retain Daisuke Matsuzaka.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, jettisoned George Kottaras and were linked to Braves free agents Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano.

The Phillies seem to be all over the place. Todd Zolecki says they're the front-runners for Mark DeRosa - I don't want him, but I didn't know he went to high school near where I grew up. Chan Ho Park's agent says despite the player's stated preference of starting, a role in The Pen II wouldn't preclude Chan Ho from returning to the Phillies. And David Murphy has a litany of bench options the Phillies may consider.

I have bad feelings about the offseasons for both our teams. I don't know why. {Let's hope Greg is wrong about this prediction, too.}

Fresh coat of paint

Too often we focus on what could be instead of realizing the good things around us.

I'm guilty of this all the time, and I think many Phillies fans are doing so after yesterday's 2-1 loss.

Yes, it was a bitter pill to swallow, but it's not the end of the world. Cue the big man:

While disappointed, (Ryan) Howard kept an even temperament. That's a reason for his success - he doesn't allow his emotions to get the better of him.

"I am not going say it was a heartbreaking loss because a loss is a loss," he said. "We're still very confident, and we're now going back home."

I know the instinct is to say that Pedro Martinez's masterpiece should have yielded a win, sending the Phillies home with a 2-0 lead and in excellent position to secure a spot in a second consecutive World Series. But consider this: Don't you think Dodgers fans are saying, "Hey, we scored four runs off Cole Hamels in Game 1, we could be up 2-0?"

Fact is, the Phillies split the first two road games, effectively taking home field advantage away from the Dodgers. They are the defending World Champions, although, it's hard to tell that from the criticism Charlie Manuel is getting for pulling Pedro after seven innings yesterday. (Someone on my Red Sox e-mail list noted, "Somewhere, Grady Little is smiling.")

That reminded me of another conversation I had recently with a Red Sox fan who was upset with the first round sweep. He demanded they fire Terry Francona, cut David Ortiz and trade Jonathan Papelbon. Why? Because after winning 95 games this year and two World Championships in the last five, they couldn't win three more games?

I've noticed I've been a lot more mellow lately as a sports fan. I can't decide whether I'm losing interest or gaining perspective. Probably a bit of both. I love the game. I love the strategy. I love the mental mind games trying to decide whether it makes sense to trade Jonathan Papelbon - not out of scorn because of one blown save, but because it may improve the team for next year.

Sorry, I don't know how I got so diverted.

Point is, Phillies fans, relax. You had a great ride in 2008, and the sequel is by no means over. Big picture, your team has to go 7-5 to win its second straight championship. Charlie Manuel may be frustrating, mind-boggling and seemingly overmatched at times, but he has provided us great entertainment and that elusive title. And in a couple weeks he may hoist another trophy.

(Christine's of a similar mindset, but is worried about falling into the more pessimistic outlook because we have a whole rainy day to stew about it before Cliff Lee takes the mound tomorrow night.)

Oh yeah, the reason for that picture up top: Remember a few months ago, we noticed that the Phillies sign beyond centerfield needed a new coat of paint? Well, just as Pedro refreshed the ending of his brilliant career and a fresh outlook is needed after yesterday, the Phillies took care of that sign. I don't know exactly when, but we're pretty sure it was still cruddy for the last regular season game and repainted before the playoffs (we took the picture at our game last week).

Look back at 2008: On this day last year, the Phillies were waiting for the World Series while the Red Sox were heading to Tampa for Game 6. Our fish were in a bucket.

Talking points from the weekend

As we try to clear our heads from the lost weekend, some of our SoxandPhils gave us some talking points today.

1) We do not shoot our friends. (Even a chum with 11 blown saves.)

Last week, I wanted to compare Brad Lidge with a champion race horse that could no longer run. Christine outvoted me 1-1, and the insensitive metaphor wasn't published. Since then, she has said I should say the same thing about Jason Varitek. I don't disagree, except for the fact that we have a longer relationship with the Captain, and he has been supplanted as starting catcher by Victor Martinez.

I say all this as background because Charlie Manuel doesn't think Brad Lidge should be shot:

"I don't want to shoot Lidge. I think he'll get back to where he's at," Manuel said yesterday when asked about the status of the closer's job. "He needs a little break."

Maybe Cholly is just a better person than me.

2) The Phillies aren't playing as poorly as you'd think from Christine's reaction. Yesterday I heard they played .500 on their last road trip. Watching Christine mope all weekend, I thought they were 2-12 or something. Cholly says we're both right:

The 5-5 trip was not easy for manager Charlie Manuel. "As bad as we played, we played .500, didn't we?" he said. "Bad as we played, is that accepted? It will have to be, I guess."

3) It's OK to celebrate the Wild Card. It still feels wrong, but several Red Sox said some things to convince me. Here's a SoxandPhil quoted in coverage of his former team:

"You don't want to take [getting to the playoffs] for granted," said the Red Sox' Terry Francona, the only manager since 2000 to take a defending world champion to the postseason the following year. "Because it's tough. You want to get excited, but you also don't want to lose sight of your goal.

"We always like to say that every year is different. So why shouldn't you celebrate?"

Here's the players' take:

"As of right now, obviously (the Yankees are) the better team," left fielder Jason Bay said. "Once the postseason starts, everything else is kind of thrown out the window."

Didn't it sting just a little watching the Yankees celebrate?

"I don’t care," Kevin Youkilis said. "I want to get into the playoffs. Once we get there, it's a whole other game."
[...]
"I was a wild card once and got a World Series," (David) Ortiz said. "That means I don’t care."

4) It still would have been nice to clinch in New York.

"Damn, man," David Ortiz sad. "It gives the carpet a smell a few days later. It kills me. That's why I want to do it here. But it's not going to happen."

Patience, big man. You can stink up their new jaunt once you beat them 4-2 in the ALCS.

Tonight's games: Days after Jon Lester took a ball off his knee, Josh Beckett was scratched from tonight's start with a bad back. Perhaps the baseball gods aren't happy with a team that was setting up its playoff pitching rotation at least a week before it clinched.

In game action, it's like the SoxandPhils are playing chicken with each other to see who can clinch last.

Emergency starter Michael Bowden gave up seven runs in three innings. The Red Sox trailed the Blue Jays 11-5 in the 7th inning when downpours delayed the game. In case they don't resume this one, it will be up to the Angels to beat the Rangers if the magic number is to be reduced from two.

Cole Hamels gave up six runs in 6 2/3, increasing Christine's concerns that the baseball gods are putting the Phillies on the opposite end of the historic collapses they've dealt the Mets in recent years. In the 9th, Astros 8, Phillies 2. Magic number expected to remain stuck at three.

State of the SoxandPhils

Each of our teams reduced their magic numbers by one today - two left for the Red Sox, three for the Phillies. The Phils held on to beat the Brewers, but Christine remains cranky. The Red Sox inched closer to the playoffs - not by winning and delaying the Yankees' division clincher, but by the Rays stealing a win from the Rangers in the 9th inning.

I was, and probably still am, more mellow than Christine about the fact the our teams' killer instinct has gone from Rambo to Gandhi, but I think we're both getting a little antsy.

Saturday night, when I was getting exasperated with Christine's reaction to the Phillies walk-off loss to the Brewers (amazingly, Brad Lidge had nothing to do with it), she turned the tables and pointed out that I'm not too happy with the Red Sox right now.

Sure, they've been embarrassed by the Yankees. But I truly believe that the Red Sox have had their fair share of success in recent history, and I don't mind sharing the wealth as long as they play hard, are competitive and are better than the Empire.

Two stories this morning illustrate the state of our teams. The Inquirer game-day story starts off with Charlie Manuel addressing a handful of players after the loss. Although he struck a comforting tone, he's a little more of Christine's mindset than mine:

"I know some say it's in the bag," the manager told them. "We ain't got a thing yet."
[...]
Asked whether he was worried about complacency, given that the Phillies have seemed inevitable division champions all summer, Manuel said: "I'm not [complacent]. You'll have to go ask them. I talk to them every day, and I hadn't seen nobody tell me that. I'm not taking it for granted that we've got the division won. No. Not at all."

The story also mentioned something Christine has been concerned about for quite a while:

"When we were in Atlanta [last weekend]," said Werth, "I just happened to look at their schedule and notice that, like, seven of their last 10 games were against the Nationals. Ever since I saw that, I realized that, potentially, they could still make a run at us. As far as I'm concerned, it's over when we've got it."

I'm still not worried.

This Dan Shaughnessey column, however, pointing out how the Yankees have been the better, hungrier and more focused team all season, did make me pause for concern, especially because it reinforces my point yesterday that the Red Sox seem content with second best.

One team is going all out to win every day.

The other team is the Red Sox - asking you to stand back and look at the big picture.

That got me riled until the following line reminded me of the success of the Red Sox over the past few years is because of strong management and solid planning. There may be mistakes along the way, but the big picture will usually be pretty good.

Two managers. Two theories. Sox fans might not agree with Francona, but he knows his team and has a pretty good track record in this area.

So I took the following advice from the column, closed my eyes, held my nose (and switched the channel before the final out).

Today might be a good day to employ the half-full theory. Cover your eyes, let the Yankees celebrate, and think about October.

I'm not sure if our teams are aware, but October begins this week. The playoffs start next week. We're just two clinchers and two rounds away from the SoxandPhils Series.

Weather watch: On my last training day before the bike ride, I stayed in due to rain. I figure I'll have plenty of time to get wet on my bike next Saturday. Weather.com still calls for rain on both days; AccuWeather still disagrees. Christine, usually the more pessimistic about such things, is more optimistic than me.

Breaking point

All weekend, I've had to talk Christine off the figurative ledge - as if her team was the one in a scrape for the Wild Card, not the one with a six-game lead in a division with marginal competition.

But this morning I learned that her frustration is nothing compared with Charlie Manuel's, who let loose what reporters have depicted as his biggest can of whoop-ass the players have ever seen from him. The Daily News had the best headline, Snarly Manuel (I would have gone with Snarly Charlie). Scott Lauber had the complete transcript, with some censorship:

[Expletive] the last couple years. That don't mean [crap]. We're playing today. Last year is dead and gone. Having to win? No, I don't get that. I think when you have a lead, you're sitting better than you are when you absolutely have to win a game that day. I think having a lead's got to be better than that. I'll take the lead. That's what I'm trying to say. Last year, what happened in the past, that's gone. We played tremendous baseball last year the last five, six weeks. Best baseball we've ever played. I'm not going to give our lead up and say, 'We'll start here.' No, I'm not going to do that because I don't know if we can come through or not. I like our chances better where we're at, but at the same time, we have to win some games. That's what I'm trying to say.

I wonder if being on the receiving end of a Cholly riff is like when your grandmother expresses disappointment in you. It's just got to feel bad.

How'd it work? So far, so good (except for Brad Lidge - who was pulled and could be done as the Phillies closer this year). The Phillies had five solo home runs - two by Raul Ibanez and one each by Chase Utley, Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz - to beat the Nationals 5-3.

With their blasts, Ibanez and Utley joined Ryan Howard and Werth with 30 home runs this season. Three home runs came in the 7th. For the formerly ancient Mariner, that's three home runs in his last two games after he had gone nearly 80 plate appearances without one. Is RAAAUUULLL!!!! BAAACCCKKK????

Definitely not back is Lidge. He was removed mid-inning after loading the bases. Closer-in-waiting Brett Myers had already pitched 1 1/3 innings, so it was Ryan Madson who got the call and pitched out of Lidge's jam without allowing a run.

This is the night that Cholly officially acknowledged what the fans have known: Brad Lidge is broken.

Fortunately, he did not spoil another strong start by Pedro Martinez. When he signed with the Phillies, he had 99 career losses. Christine anticipated that the round number would come in his first appearance. He's managed to avoid it through six starts. He pitched well again: three earned runs in six innings. Despite throwing 105 pitches through six, they sent him out for the 7th. I thought it was a mistake. He got two outs before giving up a solo home run.

Why can't the Red Sox play the Orioles every week? They're now 12-2 against the AL East cellar dwellers with tonight's 10-0 win. Clay Buchholz went seven innings, giving up three hits and a walk with five strikeouts. Big night for Dustin Pedroia: 2-3 with two runs, three RBIs, two home runs and a walk.

Hittin' hurlers

Pedro Martinez pitched poorly yesterday, but he had a good day at the plate. He struck out in his first appearance, but that was after he ran the count to 3-0, prompting Jerry Manuel to embarrass Oliver Perez by removing him in the middle of an at-bat against a pitcher.

In Pedro's next appearance, he singled in a run with the bases loaded. He added a sacrifice in his last appearance.

Several times over the past few days, I've noted how well things have been going for the Phillies, but this is getting ridiculous. Even their pitchers are hitting well. Over the past six games, Phils pitchers have gone 7-19 (.368), raising their season batting average to .138.

That doesn't seem like much, but this could turn out to be the second-best hitting season for Phillies pitchers since Charlie Manuel took over in 2005. Currently, they're hitting .138/.198/.182. That .380 OPS ranks second to 2007, when the Phillies pitchers posted a line of .155/.202./.185 (.387 OPS). That was a marked improvement over 2006 when they posted a .260 OPS.

Ironically, the year before hitting guru Cholly took over as manger, the Phillies had a fairly respectable season, going .165/.198/.241 with an almost passable .439 OPS.

Maybe pitchers just preferred hitting for Larry Bowa.

Or, perhaps, it's all the new guy. Cliff Lee, despite going 0-2 this afternoon, is out-hitting his opponents .313 to .175 after today's game, a 6-2 win over the Mets. He went seven innings, giving up both unearned runs on six hits with five strikeouts. Brad Lidge closed it out without incident or help of a triple play.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, still clinging to a one game lead for the Wild Card, are trailing the White Sox 4-1 in the 3rd.

Hitting season

The heat of summer has been delayed this year, and we wondered whether the unseasonably cooler weather has also delayed Charlie Manuel's favorite time of the year - hittin' season.

Last night might have been the beginning of the season. Trailing 7-3 in the 9th, Matt Stairs led off with a pinch-hit home run. I withheld a sarcastic comment for Tom McCarthy who said Cholly had the opportunity to use the big guy.

But the Phillies kept coming. Jimmy Rollins and Chase Ultey got on board, setting up a three-run home run for Ryan Howard. Then, they loaded up the bases for Paul Bako (I think he resembles Chris Coste), who singled to end the game.

Ironically, when I was contrasting John Smoltz's solid start with Cole Hamels' subpar outing last night, I was tempted to write, "But these games appear headed in different directions." I refrained, however, because the Pirates tacked on a couple of insurance runs before the 9th.

Following that dramatic ending, I thought the Phillies would romp or come out dead today - no middle ground. They bookended last night's five-run 9th inning with a five-run 1st inning, highlighted by a Pedro Feliz grand slam. They chased Pirates starter Virgil Vasquez after 48 pitches in the middle of the 2nd. But the Phillies suspended hittin' season for the All-Star Break. They didn't score again behind another good J.A. (Halladay who?) Happ outing - one run in seven innings. Christine predicted the Phillies wouldn't score again when the Pirates pulled their started in the 2nd. In the 9th, J.C. Romero gave up a home run but held on for the 5-2 win, capping an 9-1 homestand to end the first half.

Red Sox: Another fine outing for Josh Beckett, who could make a case for starting the All-Star game if he didn't pitch today. He pitched his second shutout of the year, needing just 94 pitches to blank the Royals on three hits with seven strikeouts in the 6-0 win.

All-Star change: Dustin Pedroia is out of the game to tend to his pregnant wife who has had complications.

"This was certainly not an easy decision," Pedroia said in the statement. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for the game of baseball and for the All-Star Game and am incredibly honored that the fans voted me this year’s starting second baseman for the American League. I am disappointed that I will not be able to enjoy the amazing experience with the other All-Stars, especially with my Red Sox teammates, but it is important that I put my family first at this time."

Guess which slick-fielding second baseman Joe Maddon replaced him with? How about another Ray, Carlos Pena, who didn't deserve to be on the final spot ballot, let alone on the team. Currently there is not another backup second baseman on the team. Maddon is becoming just as bad as Joe Torre.

At least Cholly's outfielders are justifiable.

42-year-old virgin & hometown star going to St. Louis

I thought we were going to be disappointed today - mainly because no Phillie, besides the two who were certain to be voted on, is having a stand-out season. And, I thought nostalgia wouldn't be enough to put Tim Wakefield on the team.

I was wrong. Tim Wakefield, a Red Sox hero and two-time World Champion, is now an All-Star:

Wakefield got a standing ovation this afternoon when the Sox' All-Stars were announced at Fenway Park, and acknowledged the cheering crowd with a wave.

"That was pretty cool," said Wakefield. "It was phenomenal, it just shows how much the fans really care, not just about me but our players here. For them to give me the kind of ovation they gave me, it makes me feel very welcomed here and I've felt that way for a long time because the fans have been behind me since I've been here. Like I've always said, they’'e our 26th man on the roster -- I owe a lot of my success to them.

"I have a lot of emotions running through right now. It's a pretty proud moment for me and my family."

He'll be joined by starters Jason Bay and Dustin Pedroia, reserve Kevin Youkilis, and pitchers Josh Beckett and Jonathan Papelbon.

On the other side of the diamond, the Phillies will be able to match the Red Sox at 2B, LF and 1B: Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez were voted starters, and Charlie Manuel made just one indulgence pick: selecting St. Louis native Ryan Howard as one of four first basemen on the team.

"There's not many opportunities where you get to play in an All-Star Game in your hometown," said Howard, who grew up outside St. Louis. "I think everybody is definitely excited and can't wait for it."

Oh, and Shane Victorino could also make the team as an injury replacement for Ibanez or Carlos Beltran, or as the final fan selection. Don't let him get Pat Burrell'd. {When we started watching the selection show, I told Greg that I thought Victorino would be on the ballot for the 33rd man. Time for some voting this week.}

Managerial strategy: While Cholly chose just one Phillie, Joe Maddon is taking three Rays as reserves. When I noted that he didn't take any pitchers, Christine observed that he selected three Red Sox pitchers. On the NL pitching staff, there are no Phillies, but two Mets. We wonder whether Maddon and Manuel plan to blow out their oppositions' arms. The Rays weren't happy with the way Terry Francona used Scott Kazmir last year. {And let's not forget that Brad Lidge lost the All-Star game last year after he warmed up for about five innings. Cholly was similarly displeased with that move.}

Today's games: The Phillies completed a sweep of the All-Star-laden Mets 2-0, behind Joe Blanton's 7 1/3 shutout innings. Brad Lidge pretended it was 2008 and struck out the Mets in the top of the 9th on only 14 pitches. The Red Sox scored five in the 7th to beat the Mariners 8-4 and avoid an embarrassing sweep.

Personal: This is our first post on our new laptop. {Just a warning: I think Greg plans on live-blogging the All-Star game next week. Great. This is going to be just like a real game - when he needs a bathroom break or concession stand run at the ballpark, I have to keep score. I foresee something similar happening next Tuesday with the blog.}