trepidation

i truly hate this time of the season. scarcely daring to breathe while hushed whispers spark rumors about who is coming & who is going. i am hearing some things that are encouraging. like WMP to Oakland for a bench bat outfielder. and maybe something involving David Murphy -- not that i want to see him go, but there are others that i would rather keep if made to choose. but there are other, more troubling rumors. ones that involve Clay Buccholz, Jacoby Ellsbury... and... ::sob:: Mike Lowell. i will be so happy when August 31 is past. i know the trade deadline ends on July 31, but that doesn't mean much. any transaction not completed by August 31 means the player is ineligible for the post season so at least at that point i can rest easier for a while...

and now the freaking Yankees are only six-and-a-half back. i hate them. and their stupid pinstriped uniforms.

anyway. there was a game last night, wasn't there?

1. Pedroia Pocket has been very fiery lately. all feisty & up in people's faces & mouthing off. i think he forgets he's four feet tall. not that he goes all Julian Tavarez for no reason. last night he got plunked in the ribs by a pitch, then another pitch whistled by his ears. while i don't think there was intent to hit him, i do think he has a right to get ticked off.

2. Tito gave JFL & Mike Lowell the choice of taking last night or Friday as their day off. i have to believe that Mikey's opting for to sit last night & play in Tampa means he really wants to make sure i get to see him play. =P

3. i'm not sure who announced the game on the Indians network last night, but he seems to have played in Cleveland around the same time as Manny. he said that Manny;s reputation for being a sandwich or two shy of a picnic is kind of inaccurate, that he is one of the most disciplined athletes he ever played with, spends a lot of time studying & preparing for games. but he does have a habit of just taking whatever equipment he feels like using. stolen socks. stolen pants. stolen bats. this guy said it doesn't matter, Manny can hit with anything. give him a broom handle & he'll hit it out of the park. i know Manny can seem like a spoiled child at times, but then i reminded of the talent he brings to the table when i hear other players, past & present, speak about him with respect & admiration.

4. this game was far more pitchers duel than Tuesday night. in my opinion, the better pitcher lost in both games though. Joshy looked like a champ out there. just that one lousy pitch that turned into the lone run scored the whole game. Carmona looked good, but Joshy looked better. just like i think CC Sabathia had a better outing than Matsuzaka the night before. that's just the way it goes sometimes. i did hear this morning on ESPN that this was the first time two teams have traded 1-0 wins on consecutive nights since something like 1975.

tonight is Kason Gabbard. i am praying he remains undefeated. and that the Evil Empire finally stumbles...