Side Game

Favorites, line, Underdog. Pick against the spread
NEW 7½ OAK
DEN 4½ MIA
CIN 3½ CLE
BUF 5½ HOU
PIT 7 TEN
WAS 6 CHI
CAR 7 NOR
MIN 6 TBY
JAC 3 SEA
KCY 3 NYJ
NYG 2½ ARI
STL 5 SNF
DET 3 GRB
SND 4½ DAL
IND 3 BAL

Monday, Sept. 12
PHI 1 ATL


Make your picks in the comments section. So that I can keep track, please use the format (3 letter codes for teams) and try to make your picks in the order shown.

Also, make sure to give me some hint as to who you are. You can post anonymously, but if you want me to keep track, then use some sort of nickname or something.

Despite the loss

I saw quite a bit to be excited about today. Schillling and Foulke both pitched better than they did last time. If they keep improving, I think we'll have a shot in the playoffs. Without both, they'll crash and burn.

Schilling struggled to put the ball where he wanted. You could see Varitek setting up here and there, and Schilling just wasn't hitting his target. But, he was still doing better than last time. His line 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K in 6.1 innings isn't exciting. When the playoffs start, you're going to be happy he was out there blowing the rust off now.

Foulke was more encouraging with 1.2 innings, 0 ER, 1 K. And he looked sharp out there. It wasn't quite closing, but he took another step closer to winning back his role.

It's still amazing to me how a rookie makes the Sox look silly every time. When the Sox make it to the playoffs, whoever they face should just bring in their most inexperienced pitcher!

Foulke and 3 others

Lost in the (important) news about Foulke being reactivated is the story on the 3 others. There's Chad Harville, Alejandro Machado, and Matt Perisho.

I'm not too excited about Harville. His line isn't all that exciting. In 37 games, he's 0-2 with a 4.46 ERA, 33 K and 24 BB. His ERA in the past isn't all that impressive either, but another arm is another arm.

Alejandro, who was acquired from Washington in February, batted .301 with three home runs and 43 RBI in 117 games with Boston's International League affiliate. He should be welcome as the Sox are in the middle of a long stretch of uninterupted games.

Perisho, a lefty, doesn't really deserve to be brushed over. He's put up impressive numbers this year. In 24 games, he's 2-0 with an ERA of 1.93, 10 K and 11 BB. His past numbers aren't as impressive, but this is his third year in the majors and he's been improving every year. Expect Perisho to make an impact in the stretch run.

BTW, while Papelbon was electric last night, expect him to have some some bad games, too. But, just as important, he's going to be giving a break to the other relievers who are really beginning to show some strain.

Photo's from Yahoo of Harville and Perisho. Alejandro photo not available.

Millar vs. Olerud

After the past two nights (2 HR's by both!), I think a pretty obvious question is, who's a better fit to be the starter (even though I think it's obvious).

First, think about the defensive side. I think it's pretty obvious Olerud is better defensively, so let's move on.

Let's look at the offensive numbers this year:
Name G AB AVG R RBI HR
Millar 116 393 .275 51 45 7
Olerud 61 117 .333 12 29 5

I think it's pretty clear (despite the blonde hair) that Millar isn't going to win his position back anytime soon. Hey, maybe he'll do better off the bench?

Does anyone actually believe Wells said this?

"I understand that I was wrong in my statements about these issues and for that I apologize," Wells said in a statement issued by the players association after Wells met with baseball officials. "Now that I have had this opportunity to sit down and discuss the issues, I better understand the procedures that go with steroid testing."

Or do you think they (the commissioner and his agent?) explained what could happen to him if he continued to rant about the steroids policy and Bud Selig in general? Because there is no way Boomer said these words. More likely he said something along the lines of "*&*!!* it. Write whatever you want. I don't care." I imagine he might be biting his tongue as he sits down after his next start. I also wonder if any of the reporters might try baiting him?