Three Games Each

Could this weekend have been any better for our respective teams? I hadn't heard definitively, but did the Yankees break a record for runs scored across a span of three games? If not, I'd have to think it was pretty close to the record. C'mon, 45 runs in 3 games? That is freakin' ridiculous!

As for the Sox, Friday night's game, to my mind, was a pivotal moment. Robbed of two runs in the first inning because of a botched call, the team still came through and, especially, the three players who had been struggling most -- Crisp, Lugo and Drew -- carried the team on their backs. We hadn't seen that kind of balanced win since May and it felt good. It reminded us of what this team is capable of. And, actually, reminded me of the game in 2004 against the Yankees when Mueller hit the homerun to win the game. The mood in Boston then, as it was on Thurs., was one of desperation. "Please let us know that you have some life in you... that you actually care about winning," seemed to be the consensus. And then they showed that actually winning was possible and important. The next two games were icing on the cake.

It occurs to me that both our teams were facing the dregs of the MLB in our victories, but earlier in the year (and more recently in the Sox case) those dregs were beating us up, so these are the games those expecting to win a playoff spot absolutely have to win. And we did.

Should be an interesting run down the stretch. I still think the Yankees will close the gap a bit from the current 7 games, but won't catch the Sox. Yankees pitching overall -- especially the bullpen -- is just not as strong as the Sox.

Sox, meanwhile, I think are poising for a significant trade. Not much out there, I know, and not much buzz so far, but Gabbard is at his peak trade value right now and with Lester back in the rotation, Tavarez, who has value for some teams, is expendable (or so the Sox would like to beleive). I somehow think Theo will strike while the iron is hot. Perhaps some bullpen help, like that guy Marte from Pittsburgh. Personally, I'd like to see the Sox take a shot at Oswalt (HUGE long shot and don't think the Sox are quite willing to part with what it would take to get him) or Saltalamacchia (still a long shot because so many other teams are hungry for catchers). We'll see. IMO, Yanks are going to get Texiera or Helton. What do you think?

The best news for Boston fans is that even if the Sox fall down flat, we still have the Patriots. (And, yes, that was a dig at Jets' fans.)