Lots of news - some expected, some not

A year ago, Sports Illustrated pulled a pretty good prank, picking the Mets (Hahahahahahahahahhahahahaha!) to win the World Series. This time around, the magazine is picking the Phillies to win the National League for a third straight year. But the pundits still aren't over whatever they were on last year, because they're not picking the Phils to lose a spirited contest against the Red Sox, but to beat the Rays in a rematch of the 2008 World Series.

I'm not big on jinxes, but I don't have a good feeling with "This might hurt" next to Roy Halladay on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

In other news:

The Red Sox and Josh Beckett may be progressing toward a contract extension. ... Junichi Tazawa has some tearing in his elbow, according to the dreaded Dr. James Andrews, but they haven't officially announced surgery yet. ... How long has Tim Wakefield been around? He played for the last Pirates team that finished over .500. ... Speaking of old pitchers, the Phillies officially named Jamie Moyer the fifth starter. ... And while Jayson Werth and Reggie Jackson weren't discussing playing for the Yankees, Mr. October must have mentioned the Yankees no-facial hair policy because Werth ditched the beard in anticipation of his big payday from the Empire.

(Yesterday, Christine wanted me to mention the facial hair ban when we dumped on J-Dub, but we forgot about it when we posted.)

Quotable SoxandPhils sluggers

The other day, I forgot to mention a quote that I just loved from Matt Stairs. He wants to play one more year for the Phillies and made his case why he deserves another year:

I'd like to be back, but that's a decision for the team. I'm inexpensive, and I don't complain that I don't play a lot.

While Stairs has been a fan favorite because of his key pinch hits (not so many this year), he's also likable because he's a rare average Joe in this era of athletes with super-sized egos. Who can't relate to wanting to earn $1+ million to sit on the bench, watch a game and chew on some sunflower seeds? You've got to love honesty from the big lug who has a history of being honest, if not the most cautious, with his comments.

The Red Sox big slugger, David Ortiz, also had a quote this week that was more like Stairs' famous postseason quote than his more recent one. Papi explained how Victor Martinez has motivated him this year:

Victor, man, he just push me, man. Every at-bat since he's been here, he just get in my face and start screaming at me and everything. I like it, I really like it. He gets me in the mood.

Eww.

But I guess I'd prefer Papi be turned on by our catcher than steroids.

Today's games: Billy Wagner is in Fenway, but unavailable tonight. (Brad Penny was released to make room for him.) B-Wags probably wouldn't be needed anyway; Junichi Tazawa couldn't follow up on his strong performance against the Yankees last week. He gave up nine runs in four innings. The White Sox lead the Red Sox 9-2 in the 5th.

The Phillies, behind J.A. Happ, lead the Pirates 2-1 in the 7th. Whose turn is it to blow a save tonight?

Hibiscus update: We have a full-fledged flower and more buds ready to bloom.

Civil War over

In May, I took a look at how both of our teams' bullpens were outperforming their starting rotations. Things improved when I took another look in June, but they've pretty much evened out now that I take a fresh look at the numbers.

Basically, the Red Sox bullpen has come down to earth while the overall dominance of Josh Beckett and Jon Lester has improved the rotation's numbers (we'll ignore the disasters of Brad Penny, John Smoltz, etc.).

The Phillies, meanwhile, have also seen their bullpen numbers dip to mediocrity, thanks largely to Brad Lidge and all the countless souls who have rotated through the injury-ravaged bullpen, but their starters have shaved more than a full run off their ERA. Perhaps the Phillies should have sold Jamie Moyer on his new assignment by saying it's not a demotion, but an opportunity to help the bullpen stabilize its ERA.

Here are the numbers:

BOS starters
May 18: 5.76 (28th)
June 4: 5.05 (26th)
Today: 4.59 (17th)

PHI starters
May 18: 6.35 (30th)
June 4: 5.58 (29th)
Today: 4.37 (12th)

BOS relievers
May 18: 3.02 (3rd)
June 4: 2.86 (1st)
Today: 3.67 (6th)

PHI relievers
May 18: 3.97 (12th)
June 4: 3.72 (9th)
Today: 3.90 (14th)

BOS total
May 18: 4.77 (21st)
June 4: 3.31 (14th)
Today: 4.28 (14th)

PHI total
May 18: 5.59 (27th)
June 4: 4.88 (27th)
Today: 4.21 (11th)

After looking at the numbers, I once again realize the Phillies fortunes are rising and the Red Sox are sinking.

To quote Mike Lowell after Friday night's embarrassing 20-11 loss:

I think that it was plain and simple that we got our asses kicked pretty good. Those are easier to forget than the ones that you lose, 2-1, because we didn't have a chance today. So we move on, and we'll see if things play out a little differently tomorrow.

They did. I had a feeling that Junichi Tazawa would have a statement game and he did, pitching six scoreless innings against the Yankees in the 14-1 revenge game. Hopefully, Josh Beckett gets the better of CC Sabathia tomorrow night, and this temporary patch of Yankee dominance will soon be over.

After losing a tight one to the Mets on Friday and watching them celebrate 1969 tonight, the Phillies trail the Mets 1-0 in the 6th. Jeez, does J.A. Happ have to pitch a shutout every night?

Beatdown

The Rangers have knocked the Red Sox out of the Wild Card slot, and witnesses are denying that Brett Myers really injured his eye in a bar fight.

And we still have plenty of time for more bad on-field news, as the Phillies are playing the Braves on Sunday night baseball. (Or will play, if it stops raining in Atlanta.) I can't think of any good examples, but it seems like the Phillies have more than their share of lousy outings on the featured game of the week. So far, all I can come up with is the franchise's 10,000th loss.

Thankfully, the Red Sox weren't on national TV today when they dropped their second straight to the Rangers, who are now the American League Wild Card leaders. That's in large part because they have gone 7-2 against Boston this year.

We suck right now.

Junichi Tazawa is no J.A. Happ, who is scheduled to pitch tonight. Our rookie pitcher got beat around a bit today - four earned on 10 hits and three walks without a strikeout in five innings. Where's John Smoltz?

Speaking of beatdowns, more is unraveling from the Brett Myers saga. He says, and witnesses back him up, that his bruised eye had nothing to do with a fight that happened in the bar he was in. Maybe that's the truth, but he lied about the initial story, and his current version seems awfully suspect.

Alumni - current and future

Last year's Alumni Batting Challenge was a washout. Literally. So we weren't sure that they would get this year's in, especially because we woke Sunday morning to monster downpours.

I know how hard it rained because I was off to the hardware store first thing in the morning to get supplies to fix the gaping holes the fallen shelf had put in our coat closet.

But by the afternoon, the sun was out, and the old-timers - Mitch Williams (hacking away at the right), Ricky Bottalico, Dickie Noles, Jim Eisenreich, Milt Thompson and Ricky Jordan - were swinging away.

That was largely the same lineup we should have seen last year, except swap in Tyler Green and Ozzie Virgil for Noles and Eisenreich.

We arrived a little bit later than we planned and were still gathering our concessions when the action started.

"Why is it so quiet?" Christine asked as the still-filling-up park sounded like a church.

"Ricky Bo's batting," I said. "They're letting him concentrate.

We missed his swings, but were seated for the sluggers: Eisenreich (seen on the left), Thompson (who could use some pointers) and Jordan (the only one who hit a home run - two out to left).

With so few balls leaving the yard, the former Phils gave plenty of fielding practice to those patrolling the outfield.

A young player, really green, was a crowd-pleaser whenever he caught one. We saw him nab at least two.

He had a real unconventional fielding method, which made him appear as if he were floundering about fishing for the ball.

In fact, you can see to the right that he seems perplexed by the ball he had snared.

In the end it was the gray team, the Rickys, Bottalico and Jordan, that prevailed.

When we heard Ricky Bo had 46 points, we had no idea that would be one of the highest totals of the day.

The Rickys won with 101 points followed by the Phils of '93 (Williams and Eisenreich) with 78 points while hitting coach Thompson and Noles took up the rear with 66 points.

But I'm sure the points mattered less to the alumni than gathering on the field again with their comrades and taking some hacks at the yard.

One funny thing ... after the contestants gathered for a group photo, Mitch Williams quickly ran off. It might have been the quickest we saw a Phillie move the whole day (except maybe when Shane Victorino charged the ump after getting ejected).

Future alum: Jamie Moyer may not participate in alumni gatherings after he finally retires. He's mad and feels betrayed by the organization for sending him to the bullpen:

I will take what they've asked me to do, but I'm not really excited about the decision that has been made. Ultimately, I'm a little dishearted because this past winter when I was negotiating with the Phillies this was a sore thumb, if you will, about this potentially happening.

You can't promise anything in this game, but I really felt that Ruben (Amaro Jr.) parlayed to me that this type of situation would not happen. Actually, even had some discussion with David (Montgomery) with them reassuring me that this type of situation wouldn't happen.

He got things off his chest before tonight's game, but wouldn't take questions. I thought he would take the move professionally - publicly at least.

Tonight's action: Junichi Tazawa's first big league start didn't go off well. A Nick Green error capped a three-run 1st inning for the Tigers. Mike Lowell - replacing Kevin Youkilis who was ejected for charging the mound - hit two home runs and Jason Bay hit one to give the Red Sox a 6-3 lead in the 7th.

Making his first start since being removed from the guillotine, J.A. Happ didn't pitch a shutout like last time. But he got NO support, until shortly after I typed that line. Carlos Ruiz spoiled Rich Harden's perfect game with a walk in the 6th. Jimmy Rollins ruined his no-hitter, shutout and hopefully win. In the 8th, Phillies 3, Cubs 2.

This kid must have a great fake ID

Toward the end of our game on July 26, we noticed people staring at a concession transaction occurring in the aisle.

I didn't understand the fuss - a kid was buying a frozen lemonade.

But then, I saw that while the kid waited for his change, he wasn't clutching a frozen dessert, but an adult beverage.

I know, poor job by us not getting the actual beer bottle in the picture, but he had one in his right hand, clear as day.

Greg didn't see it, but a few rows down from us, an adult was signaling that the kid was buying the drink for him. So then I was uneasy that the kid's parents would yell at us for taking a picture of their son buying them a beer. Or the vendor, for us having proof that he technically sold to someone a bit underage.

Sorry for the dearth of more current events - we'll still recouping from yesterday and have to visit with family today.

Ugh: The never-ending Red Sox-Yankees game ended in the 15th on a two-run home run by Alex Rodriguez off Junichi Tazawa. MLB Network was trying to figure out who would pitch next for the Red Sox - the only ones left were Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and Brad Penny.

Oh, forgot to mention yesterday: While we were stopped at a red light, I looked in my rear view mirror. The driver wore a Phillies hat; the kid in the passenger seat wore a Red Sox hat.

Divergent paths to SoxandPhils World Series

Every year, I am convinced that this will be the year that I've finally learned that baseball seasons are marathons and not to let myself get too excited during the highs or too bummed during the lows. I kept myself calm when the Red Sox beat the Yankees in their first eight head-to-head matchups and seemed primed for a third World Championship in my lifetime.

But it's hard not to get low after a night like last night that dropped them 3.5 behind the Yankees and just 2 up on the Rangers for the Wild Card. I can't believe I'm worried about the consolation prize in early August.

But last night, a washed-up John Smoltz got wiped away by the Yankees. The best first baseman in baseball, Kevin Youkilis, started in left field, and Jed Lowrie was injured again. The Globe's headlines included "Breaking point," "In reverse gear and skidding fast" and "Master plan shortsighted."

Everyone is convinced we're seeing a repeat of 2006 - the only time in the last six years the Red Sox missed the playoffs. It was capped by a five-game sweep by the Yankees in Fenway.

I'm not ready to give up. Sure, the glut of pitching has been reduced to Beckett, Lester and pray for nasty weather. But these guys are champions. Don't count 'em out.

While the Red Sox can't do anything right lately, their counterparts in our hoped SoxandPhils World Series can't do anything wrong. Ruben Amaro is walking on water right now: All his moves are working, the city loves him, and he's got the media wrapped around his finger. The biggest problem in Philadelphia is how beloved Jamie Moyer is going to handle the bullpen.

The other night I heard Amaro on the radio with Mike Missanelli, who tried to bait him into saying he celebrated closing the deal on the Cliff Lee trade. Nah, he said, the front office just shook hands and were pleased with their results.

Pressed again in a Sam Donnellon column today in which his players sang his praises, he still wouldn't bite:

Amaro was asked whether he'd received some congratulatory phone calls. He squirmed uneasily, then went on long and hard about all the help he received.

"We don't do this to receive congratulations," he said, finally. "We do this to win games, man."

Now, we just need the Phillies to keep winning games and the Red Sox to remember how to.

Today's news: We've been out of touch - we have had one of those home improvement days where we eat at 9 p.m. and are waiting for paint to dry at 10:30 so we can hang blinds and go to sleep. Needless to say, I had no idea John Smoltz was designated for assignment and Junichi Tazawa was called up until I logged on to post.

I found out for the first time the Red Sox and Yankees didn't score - they're in the 10th tied 0-0. I wish I saw this matchup between Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett. Phillies lost to the Marlins 3-2. Panic grips Philly.

Pitchers' Civil War may be ending

This morning I read a note in David Murphy's blog about how well the Phillies starters have been doing since Chan Ho Park has been banished to the bullpen:

Don't look now, but Phillies starters have recorded a victory in each of these six straight wins. Since a win over Washington on May 18th when Chan Ho Park allowed five runs in 1 1/3 innings and lost his spot in the rotation, Phillies starters have an ERA just over 4.00, which is nearly two and a half runs better than the 6.35 ERA they posted in the first 36 games of the season.

Actually, that start was May 17. The next day, I took a look at how much better both of our teams' bullpens were than the starting rotations. Things have improved since then:

BOS starters
May 18: 5.76 (28th)
Today: 5.05 (26th)

PHI starters
May 18: 6.35 (30th)
Today: 5.58 (29th)

BOS relievers
May 18: 3.02 (3rd)
Today: 2.86 (1st)

PHI relievers
May 18: 3.97 (12th)
Today: 3.72 (9th)

BOS total
May 18: 4.77 (21st)
Today: 3.31 (14th)

PHI total
May 18: 5.59 (27th)
Today: 4.88 (27th)

Although both teams' starting staffs still have poor overall numbers, things are moving in the right direction - enough so that the members of both teams vaunted bullpen can put their muskets down for the time being.

Speaking of pitching, interesting report the other day on Junichi Tazawa, who seems to be the anti-Daisuke Matsuzaka in that he is pitching well - and efficiently. The Red Sox put their AA pitchers on 85-pitch limits. That would barely get Dice-K through the lineup once. Tazawa pitched into the 7th inning last time out on that limit.

Phillies: J.A. Happ finished off the sweep of the Padres last night, pitching seven scoreless innings in the 5-1 win. J.C. Romero gave up an unearned run in 1 1/3 innings - his 2009 debut. Ryan Howard hit another home run, but much of the ink went to Greg Dobbs, who got a rare start in right field, because of a running catch he made to end the 2nd inning with the bases loaded. It was a win-win for me because it was a solid drive by Padres pitcher Chris Young, right after Chris Wheeler said he looked futile at the plate. So, Wheels looked dumb without the Phillies getting hurt.

The Phils return to Los Angeles tonight for the first time since beating the Dodgers in the NLCS.

Red Sox: They also completed a sweep when Tim Wakefield got his seventh win this afternoon against the Tigers, 6-3. For the second straight game, Kevin Youkilis was removed with injury. David Ortiz did not make an out today. He was riding the pine. But he made news by saying he's going to try to end his slump with an eye exam - or maybe just being happier. I hope something works.

Derek Lowe: Sox or Phil?

While the Red Sox introduced their newest pitcher today, reports indicate they may be readying an offer for old pal Derek Lowe, who might already have an offer in his inbox from the Phillies.

That's what the Boston Globe reports, but Todd Zolecki isn't so sure.

I'd love to add D-Lowe to the SoxandPhil rolls, but I can see him quickly exceeding the years and dollars the Phillies would be willing to spend. Same for the Red Sox.

The newest Red Sox, Junichi Tazawa, is hopefully a bargain at $3.3 million over three years. He met with the press today, praising Daisuke Matsuzaka and ready to test himself.

"The reason I came directly to the [United States] is I wanted to try to play here," Tazawa said through a translator at a press conference at Fenway Park today. "I wanted to challenge myself."

Dice-K pays dividends

When the Red Sox stunned the baseball world two years ago by bidding $51.11111111111 million for the rights to negotiate with Scott Boras and Daisuke Matsuzaka, it was an investment in more than just talent. It was about branding the Red Sox in Japan, and evidence of that strategy might be the fact that Junichi Tazawa is expected to select the Red Sox, even though they didn't offer the most money.

Although Dice hasn't exactly fulfilled the lofty expectations he brought to the United States, he's still a legend in his own country, and surely Tazawa (I think we'll call him Taz) would love to come out of the pen to relieve his fellow countryman.

Phillies: No problems with Chase Utley's surgery; Phils think he'll be ready before late May, which has been the worst-case scenario. Oh yeah, Pedro Feliz had surgery too. I've been forgetting to mention. He should be ready around Christine's birthday (late February).

What's in the bag?

The andPhils half of the blog trudged home with a large black bag full of ... of ... of ... I'll tell you on Dec. 26. But Christine didn't bring home any good baseball stories from her shopping expedition, so you're stuck with me still stuck on Christmas.

The season's shopping would have been so much easier if we were aware of this auction of Ted Williams' hunting memorabilia. What sparks the yule better than the head of a buffalo blasted decades ago by the Splendid Splinter? Could you imagine the joy on Christine's face, sitting beside the tree, opening up a rifle once held by the greatest hitter who ever lived? And I'm sure she could have found something for me.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox played Santa Claus today, offering a $6 million contract to Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa. They might have given a one-year offer to Jason Varitek, which I think is a fair balance of last year's awful offensive season and his history with the club, but Scott Boras played Scrooge and said no offer was made.

Boras argues Tek's value is that he's a catcher capable of winning 60 percent of a team's games. That's true, but that can be flipped to say the Red Sox are capable of winning 60 percent of their games despite a catcher with a .672 OPS.

Phillies: A Q&A on MLB.com attempts to explain why Chase Utley waited nearly a month into the offseason to take care of his nagging hip injury. It doesn't clarify anything for me.