I'll pass

At this point, I should be throwing in my guesses as to who the Patriots are going to pick in the draft this weekend. But, as we all know, guessing what Pioli and Belichick are up to is just whistling in the dark (See the Boston Herald's draft board for Belichick and Pioli). They have no intention of letting out who they want or even making 'logical' choices. They tend to trade down in order to promote the future, but with so few first and second round picks, I'm not sure they'll be doing that this year.

Instead, they always go for who they think is the best on the board at any position, regardless of need. So, while I think I know what their needs are at each position, that doesn't help me predict who they're going to pick. So, I'm not going to pick a who, but a what.

My prediction is that they will not move up (significantly) in the draft. None of their needs is so pressing that they need to move up in that first round. Instead, I expect they will trade away some of their picks for next year (say a no 3 for a no 2 next year). That's why they have been so successful. They are always thinking about the future, not just the now.

In case you're wondering what their picks are: Round (selection): 1 (21), 2 (52), 3 (75), 3 (86), 4 (106), 4 (118), 5 (136), 6 (191), 6 (205), 6 (206), 7 (229).

Hansen gets to AAA

Good news for all those who are worried about the state of the Red Sox pitchers. Craig Hansen has been promoted to AAA-Pawtucket today. He's one step closer to making it to the bigs.

I hope Theo (who was in Pawtucket last night) got a good look at Lester. He should be capable of bringing more relief by the end of this season. But according to the Boston Globe, Theo was more interested in Corky Miller, who can catch the knuckleball.

Hansen promoted - Extra Bases - Boston.com

The Red Sox today promoted relief pitcher Craig Hansen from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Pawtucket and sent reliever Charlie Zink from Pawtucket to Portland.

The 22-year-old Hansen has been dominant for the Sea Dogs, going 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA in 5 games for Portland to begin his first full year in pro ball since being selected by the Red Sox in the first round of the 2005 draft.

Comparing the Reds ace against the Red Sox ace

Just for fun (and because Arroyo won again today), I'd like to compare the Reds ace pitcher, Bronson Arroyo to the Red Sox ace, Curt Schilling:

RK	PLAYER	TEAM	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	W	L	HLD	SV	ERA
7	Bronson Arroyo	Cin	5	5	34.2	25	11	9	7	30	4	0	0	0	2.34
12	Curt Schilling	Bos	5	5	34.2	26	10	10	6	31	4	0	0	0	2.60

It's scary how close their numbers are, so far.

Arroyo gave up one hit today in 8 innings to help shut out the Washington Nationals.

Wondering why Schilling came out in the seventh?

Why bring out Schilling in the seventh? He wasn't pitching great last night, your bullpen was rested, his pitch count was already over 100. And most important, it's April. Why push a starter who spent most of last year on the DL.

Now I know that Curt has basically healed, and that he is a workhorse who prefers to pitch more, not less. But it is still April, with a long season to go.

Was it just to get that 5th win? Was Terry Francona thinking about that?

And in another questionable move, why bring Timlin in the middle of the inning with inherited runners? The Red Sox have to know by now that Timlin struggles with this situation. Why do it?

Yes, the ultimately won the game, but some questionable calls by Tito last night leave me scratching my head.

Nomar hits a grand slam

Nomar Garciappara hit a grand slam in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Red Sox win against Houston last night. And he did it against one of the best closers in the National League, Lidge. Since Derek Lowe was out after 7, Saito got the win.

"I just threw the barrel at it, tried to drive it," Garciaparra said. "Fortunately for me I got lucky and it went out for me."

"I threw him two fastballs I thought were pretty good," Lidge said, "and then I threw him the third one and he was right on it."

"Just get a ball I can drive and get it up in the air," Garciaparra said. "If you get the ball in the air, you get a guy in. If not, worse-case scenario, you've got a guy in Bill Mueller who will give you a good at-bat."

It's awfully strange to read any play-by-play for the Dodgers this year. It's like reading a 'what if we kept them' column.