next verse, same as the first

thoughts on Clay: he's going to have growing pains. we went through this with Lester too. we know the basic fundamentals are there for Clay. he just needs to mature. if you watch him, the more nervous he is, the more he throws over to first. it doesn't even matter if the runner isn't leading. one of these days he will throw over there & no one will be on base. also, the deeper he gets into the game, the better he pitches. and finally -- why the heck is he *always* matched up to the other teams' aces?? he's our Number Five. no wonder the poor kid can't buy a win.

good injury news: Joba has a shoulder injury that may or may not be a result of Steinbrenner Spawn demanding a mid-season change from bullpen to starting rotation.

bad injury news: Papi's wrist is clicking again. i really hope it's just in mourning for Manny, because let's be honest, Papi has not been his usual jovial self since the departure. i can't help but wonder if his recent decline in production has less to do with his wrist & more to do with missing Manny.

hopeful injury news: hopefully Mike Lowell can make it through the rest of the season playing through his discomfort, perhaps with some strategically placed days off.

scary injury news: Lugo is starting to jog. please let Lowrie's performance speak for itself. if you consider Lugo too pricey a benchwarmer, feel free to trade him somewhere (perhaps to the Dodgers where he can hang on Manny some more?) although you will recall they paid Matt Clement an inordinate amount of money to essentially play Little League, so what do i know...

within the division: Rays lost. Yankees lost. (in grand fashion, i might add, since i could not turn off the tv without seeing how that played out in Texas -- and i do mean *grand* fashion. as in walkoff GRAND slam, baby!)

upshot: no harm, no foul. we start today in the same place we were did yesterday. and Commander Kick Ass on the hill is never a bad thing, am i right?