Divergence

Despite another rocky outing by Brad Lidge, the Phillies held on for the 5-4 win today, completing the sweep of the Rockies. Other than Lidge, things appear to be settling for the two-time NL Champs.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, are headed in the opposite direction. They're 4-7 since the All-Star break and have to face the Angels' new acquisition, Dan Haren, tonight. Things are going so poorly that people aren't even watching anymore:

The Boston Red Sox's six-year reign atop MLB's local television ratings is about to end, as the team's local numbers have plummeted from first to fifth this season.

Entering the All-Star break, ratings for Red Sox games on NESN have dropped nearly 36 percent from last year, for a 6.25 average rating.

The last time the Red Sox finished out of the top spot was in 2003, when the Mariners posted an 11.53 rating on FSN Northwest. The Sox averaged a 7.86 rating that year on NESN. This year, Red Sox ratings trail the Cardinals (9.70 on FS Midwest), Twins (7.85 on FS North), Phillies (7.20 on CSN Philadelphia) and Reds (6.52 on FS Ohio).

Christine has theorized that a bad Red Sox season wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing because it might weed out some of the front-runners and pink hats. I haven't given up hope, but if things don't improve, I'll accept that silver lining.

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.