Red Sox vs. Yankees...'Nuff Said

Heading into this series against the Yankees, I have mixed feelings. I’m probably not alone in Red Sox Nation when I say that. Sure, I feel confident that the guys will come through, I just realize how hungry and determined the Yankees are to take back the division. Before the break, we were the ones reeling and they were the ones winning. With their pitching staff and aging bullpen that hasn’t helped one bit, I think it’s miraculous that the Yanks are only 2.5 games out of the division lead. Same with the Orioles staff, it’s surprising that they are only 2 games behind the Sox. So now is the perfect opportunity so create some ground, beat our rivals on our home turf, and make them realize that these Sox really can win this thing.

For the Red Sox to take this series, the bottom of the order must step up. This is vital. Guys like Bellhorn, Mueller and Millar have to start hitting the baseball, because Manny, Ortiz and Damon can’t do all the work against the Yankees. If one of them struggles and the bottom guys are not doing the job, we could be in serious trouble. Also, it’s time for Alan Embree to have a solid series because he’s done it before in big situations. Maybe Schill out of the pen will turn out to be a disaster. Maybe it will turn out to be a gold mine. We may find out this weekend.

In other Sox news, Theo traded complaining Jay Payton to the Athletics for submariner Chad Bradford, who could come off the DL and pitch for us sooner than later. Bradford is a Moneyball product that’s spent his career in Oakland, but probably would not mind switching to a contender. And poor Youk is back down to Pawtucket. Maybe they’ll trade Millar and Youk can come back up, he’s definitely major league ready.

Theo recently came out and said that he wants to keep many of his top prospects to build a solid team for the future, something that I completely agree with. He doesn’t want to get rid of talented prospects for players he can rent for four months and quickly lose to free agency. It’s much more soothing to know that the Red Sox will be in the hunt for a long time, partly because of their money situation and partly because of the depth in the minor leagues. It may not be one of the best, but we’ve sure got some talent down there. I just wish we could get that Craig Hansen guy signed.

Bronson vs. Mussina tonight. I’m scared.