Youk Is Available

Looking for a 1B?? Kevin Youkilis is available as the White Sox declined to pick-up his $13 million option. There is no chance that Youk would ever return to Boston, especially given the way he departed. I'd hate to see him play a utility role for the Yankees since A-Rod is no longer in good graces in Gotham. It will be interesting to see if Youk lands an everyday starting job somewhere. He can still help someone, maybe his native Cincinnati Reds.

Dallas Braden Opts for Free Agency

Who can't use another lefty starting pitcher? Dallas Braden (yes, the perfect game Dallas Braden of 2010) declined the A's offer to a minor league contract after 2 arms surgeries kept him out of action this past year. This guy fits the Red Sox profile of low cost, low risk & at age 29 he still has many good years left in that left arm. It would be quite unique to have 3 lefties in the starting rotation (Lester, Dubront, Braden), but why not? One thing about those A's is they draft excellent pitching. A small performance-incentivized contract would be all that's needed. C'mon, Ben. Start stockpiling arms for Spring Training. Braden is worth a shot.

Sox Steal Another Coach from Toronto

Brian Butterfield is the new 3B coach for the Red Sox. He & Farrell worked together in Toronto. I'm glad the Sox brass is allowing Farrell to surround himself with coaches he can work with. Let's also hope Butterfield doesn't run into as many outs in Boston as his runners did in Toronto. A native of Maine, Butterfield knows the AL East. I'm sure all the coaches will enjoy a better, more talented roster to work with than the players that they were given in Toronto - although Bautista & Encarnacion would look good in Red Sox uniforms!

Trades Versus Free Agent Signings

If you read between the lines on the Sox website, Ben Cherington is saying that this year's class of free agents is nothing to write home about. Yes, there is Zack Greinke & Josh Hamilton, neither of whom would be good fits in Boston. The Colorado Rockies may be looking to get out of their multi-year contract with Troy Tulowiski, but that would be a long-term deal like the Sox just got out from under this year with Gonzo, Crawford & Beckett for a guy who was injured all last year. That leads me to think there will be smaller free agent deals - like Torii Hunter, Mike Napoli - & perhaps bigger trades involving Ellsbury, Iglesias, Saltie & others. The Sox are already tamping down expectations for the hot stove. Money is not burning a hole in their pocket. Look for the best deals to come via creative trading.

Congrats to the Giants!

No it wasn't New York, not Boston, not either LA team, not Philadelphia, not Atlanta, not Washington. It was a repeat of 2 World Series rings in 3 years for a likable bunch of guys from San Francisco. Congrats to the Giants! I couldn't name you the Giants starters, but they played like a team with good pitching, good defense & just enough hitting - almost Tampa Bay-like. You have to be happy for ex-Sox Marco Scutaro who delivered the game-winning hit in the 10th. You have to be happy for Buster Posey after being out all of last year with an injury. Now we have 5 days before free agency can start.

Patriots in a Laugher

All I can say is it looked like it would be a long afternoon on the pitch in London after the 1st scoring drive by the Rams. But the Brady offense had everything working & it turned out to be a runaway win 45-7. Maybe the Pats can get some momentum going now.

Pats Kickoff in London

Is this really necessary? Does the NFL need to send 2 teams to London every year? Don't they know football in Europe is soccer? But similar to the MLB's need to send teams to Japan every year it's about money. Merchandising. Trying to get a following worldwide. Do you think the coaches & players are happy about this? No, it's just the usual money grab by owners who make too much money know. It's the equivalent of WalMart going for your last dollar. We can only hope it's a decent game.

Giants & 2007

The San Francisco Giants are teking a page out of the Red Sox scapbook from 2007. If you remember, the Colorado Rockies were as hot a team as possible in the playoffs. Unfortunately, they had to sit around & wait for the Boston team to beat Cleveland in 7 games. When the World Series started the Red Sox beat the Rockies in 4 straight. Seems like deja vu in looking at the 2012 world Series. The giants needed 7 games to come back on the Cards while the tigers waited for their opponent. And the layoff seems to have effected all aspects of the Tigers game. The Sox won 2 World Series in 4 years. The Giants came make it 2 in 3 years. Who would have picked the Giants to be one of the two last teams standing in Spring Training?

Bogar Out, Lovullo In

Tim Bogar is out as the Sox bench coach. Torey Lovullo, a lifelong friend of John Farrell's, is in. It makes sense. Farrell needs to surround himself with guys he is comfortable working with. This is something Bobby V never got a chance to do. While it's nice to see the new coaching staff taking shape I'd prefer to see movement in re-signing Big Papi & Cody Ross.

Justin Verlander & Kate Upton

TMZ reportedly found out why Justin Verlander was off his game on Wednesday night in San Francisco. It was because his rumored girlfriend was in the house. Kate Upton, the SI swimsuit model with curvacious proportions that spill out of tiny bikinis, was on hand to see her new man pitch. True? Who knows? But Verlander was certainly nothing like the Cy Young Award candidate that he is. Wouldn't Kate Upton distract you??

Sox Talking With Big Papi & Cody Ross

The Red Sox website confirms that management is in active negotiations to bring back David Ortiz & Cody Ross in 2013. Both should get some sort of multi-year deals with incentives or stipulations, particularly in Ortiz' case given his potential for more injuries at his age. To my way of thinking that is the next "to do" item on Ben's list of off-season necessities. Once Ortiz & Ross are back in the fold Ben can turn his attention to adding needed players in the starting rotation, bullpen, a shortstop, an outfielder & a middle-of-the-order bat. Some of those new players may come through free agency, but I would bet that there is a major trade coming that could involve Saltie, Ells or other prospects.

Names to Throw Around for Middle Order Guys

OK, I decided to play Ben & Larry today. My goal is to find a middle-of-the-order bat to compliment David Ortiz. Here are some names that I found after looking at 2012 stats for RBI, HR, slugging percentage, etc. See if you like any of these names - Jose Bautista (Toronto), Giancarlo Stanton (Miami), Edwin Encarnacion (Toronto), Josh Willingham (Minnesota), Nick Swisher (NYY), Torii Hunter (LA Angels), Chase Headley (San Diego) & Alfonso Soriano (CHC). I was looking for a right-hand bat to compliment Ortiz from the left. I think it is asking too much for a Will Middlebrooks, Ryan Lavarnway or Mauro Gomez to fill that spot. Same for Petey, Ells, Ross or Saltie. There was never an adequate solution after Adrian Gonzalez was traded.

Ozzie Canned in Miami

Some people just can't keep their mouths shut. Ozzie opened mouth, inserted foot when he said that Fidel Castro was a positive guy that he admired. Not good to say in Miami where Cubans who fled Fidel's dictatorship have very deep wounds. Way to alienate your fan base early in the year. And given the big money spent on guys who didn't produce, Ozzie wasn't long for job security. The Marlins fire Ozzie after 1 year of disappointment. Unlike the Red Sox who didn't spend this off-season, the Marlins spent a ton & got nothing in return except a new ballpark. Good bye Ozzie! Maybe you can put a muzzle on it at your next stop.

Scutaro to World Series

Old friend Marco Scutaro is in the World Series. He took a roundabout path to get there. Written in as the everyday shortstop for the Boston Red Sox during the pre-season he was traded before the season began to the Colorado Rockies. Part of a salary dump so reporters said. During the season he was traded again, this time from the Rockies to the San Francisco Giants. He is the everyday second-baseman for the Giants, a team that just completed a 3-game comeback on the St. Louis Cardinals to win the NLCS & Scutaro now faces the Detroit Tigers in the 2012 World Series. Good for him! If you are going to get traded twice in a season, you might as well end up on a team that contends & he did. The Giants get one day to catch their breath before the series starts on Wednesday. I'm rooting for the Tigers, though.

John Farrell Hired As Manager

It didn't take until November 1st as predicted. The extreme makeover in Boston continues as John Farrell gets a 3-year deal to be the new manager of the Red Sox. The Sox give up Mike Aviles & Chris Carpenter to the Blue Jays. It was obvious going back to last year that John Farrell made a big impression on management as someone who knew the lay of the land in Boston & could handle the heat. I wasn't for bringing back Farrell, but it's done & over so let's get behind him & see what he can do. He has to be an upgrade from Bobby V. And Farrell does know the AL East. He could be a comforting presence to Jon Lester & Clay Buchholz. Check the new manager item off your "to do" list, Ben, & let's keep the makeover going.

Ugly, But A Win

Another 4th quarter lead blown. Another poor offensive showing that took only 1 minute off the clock on 3 & out in the 4th. The only thing different from past losses is that Gostkowski kicked a tying field goal in regulation, then a winning FG in overtime. It was an ugly, ugly win for the Patriots against their division rival NY Jets. The only thing you can say is that it was a win &, at this point, we'll take it.

Sox Talking to Blue Jays About Farrell

Sox website says that Boston & Toronto are talking about possible compensation for John Farrell. Don't do it! Don't give up a good prospect to get a manager that finished last or near last in his 2 years of managing. We are looking for a manager, not a pitching coach. Farrell was a good pitching coach. He has been a bad manager. His teams run the bases poorly. They keep making the same mistakes - per Omar Visquel - & that's from a player who has been around awhile. Let's make a clean break. There are enough other candidates out there.

Dave Magadan to Rangers

Hitting coach Dave Magadan took a new job with the Texas Rangers. Magadan probably knew that there were wholesale changes coming in the coaching staff for 2013 with the Red Sox, so not a bad move on his part. He goes to a team that is a playoff contender. If you have been around for 6 years in one spot, like Magadan with the Sox, the message gets old & players tune out. I'm good with new blood up & down the coaching staff.

Yankees Swept Away

I'm reminded of the DVD's that came out on the Boston Red Sox in 2004. One video has a fan walking down the street, smiling & saying all is right with the world. That's how I feel today now that the Yankees have been swept four straight & eliminated by the Detroit Tigers. It's a beautiful day. Their situation with A-Rod is a mess. Jeter needs to overcome a broken ankle at an advanced age if he is to play again. Mo Rivera needs to overcome an ACL injury at an advanced age to play again. There are several players who will be free agents next year. Yes, the Yankees made the playoffs & we didn't. But they, like us, didn't get the big brass ring at the end. It still Boston 2, New York 1 in the last 10 years of World Series championships. Yes, it's a beautiful day. Have a great weekend!

Arms Race Begins

Start the stockpiling of arms for next year & see if any stick. The Sox website says that Sandy Rosario, a reliever from the Marlins, has been claimed off waivers. His minor league numbers are good, but not so much in limited time in the majors. At 27 years old Rosario could be one of those diamonds in the rough. I'd rather take a chance on himn than a reclamation project - like John Smoltz or Kevin Millwood in the past. You can assume Ben will continue to stockpile more arms for spring training.

Wild Card Cards Still Winning

The Cards don't want to give up their crown. They are on an amazing run to the World Series - again. They beat the Giants 3-1 last night to take a 2-1 NLCS lead. Chris Carpenter miraculously shows up at the end of the year with one less rib & a few less tendons, starts pitching like he never missed a beat. Carlos Beltran goes down & his replacement hits a 2-run homer last night. Mike Matheny better enjoy every minute of his freshman year as manager because he will be hard pressed to duplicate it again. And all this without big Albert whose team didn't make the playoffs. It's really been an amazing run for a Cards team trying to become the first to win back-to-back World Series for the 1st time in the 21st century.

Tigers, Verlander Win Again

It hasn't been much of a series so for in the ALCS. Tigers win again 2-1 last night to go up 3-0 on the Bronx Bombers. The Yankees are experiencing a power outage at the plate at the wrong time of year. And the fact that CC had to pitch the 5th & final game against Baltimore didn't help things either. Throw in the A-Rod situation, the Jeter injury & the Yankees are a team coming apart at the wrong time. As for the Detroit Tigers, they came on strong towards the end of the year & have kept it going in the playoffs. Our friend Jeanne who recently passed away would be proud of her Tigers. Maybe they will go all the way for her.

A-Rod Hitting Up the Ladies

My fellow podcaster Steve sent me an article from the NY Post that said A-Rod was hitting up 2 blond beauties in the stands after being taken out of the game on Saturday in favor of Raul Ibanez. He had the Yankee ball boy throw a ball into the 2nd row behind the dugout with a note from A-Rod asking the girls for their phone numbers. Very classy, A-Rod! Way to earn that $30 million a year! I replied to Steve that A-Rod is the Yankees version of Josh Beckett. The Yankees & A-Rod are heading for a divorce. It's going bad fast.

More Manager Candidates

Throw in DeMarlo Hale (thanks to a comment posted today) & Tony Pena to the mix of Red Sox possibilities for their 2013 manager. As I've said before, I'm OK with anyone not part of the Sox coaching staff from the past 2 managers. Given my stance, DeMarlo would be out in my mind. Wallach, Ausmus, Pena -- all OK with me. I would give the nod to the younger Ausmus if I had a say. Look at the jobs that other young guys like Robin Ventura & Mike Matheny have done in their 1st year. Youithful exuberrance might be what the Sox need in the next selection.

Pats Fall to 3-3

It's like deja vu all over again. A 4th quarter lead that can't be held. An offense that passes more than runs late in the game & doesn't eat up the clock. A Tom Brady who looks like he has most definitely lost a step. A porous secondary giving up huge pass plays (plural!) & making average quarterbacks look stellar. An on & on. As Bill Parcells said, you are what your record says you are. And the Patriots are a very average 3-3, losing yesterday to a very average team in Seattle. It's a miracle that the Pats made it to the Super Bowl last year with one of the worst defenses in the league. But the offense is misfiring too too much this year to repeat that scenario. If Josh McDaniels is calling the plays in the 4th quarter, he ought to hand over that duty to someone else. It's a recurring nightmare.

Brad Ausmus Gets An Interview

Brad Ausmus is the next managerial candidate to hit Beantown. Ausmus is younger, in his 40's & is a New Englander. Both the Boston Herald & Red Sox website confirm that Ausmus is under consideration. I'm good with that. Anyone not affiliated with the Francona or Valentine regimes is fine with me. I hope a replacement is announced by November 1st so we can get onto the roster issues. And what's happening with Big Papi & Cody Ross?

Jeter & A-Rod: Tale of 2 Players

My mom never liked Jeter. She didn't like his smile after a good play in the field or after a big base hit. However, after watching Jeter play for years, if I had to admire a player on the Yankees, it would be Derek Jeter. Jeter runs out every ball & is fundamentally sound in the field. He does all the little things right & the opposition never wants to have him at the plate in a big situation. To me he & Mo Rivera are the only real Yankees left. The rest are rent-a-players. Too bad Jeter joind Mo on the DL after breaking his ankle last night. His leadership on the field will be missed. Now take A-Rod, a $30 million guy being pinch hit for & batting 6th in the order now. A-Rod is the farthest thing from Jeter & his body is slowly breaking down more & more each year from his past steroid use. A-Rod is more comparable these days to a Jose Canseco. The Yankees are out big money for the rest of his contracy. There couldn't be 2 players more opposite on the same team.

Go O's Go, Go O's Go!

The Orioles are making it an interesting series with the Yankees. An extra-inning 2-1 win ties this series at 2 games each. The O's will need to hope that CC Sabathia is off his game & they can eke out another close win - which has been the hallmark of this team. With the A's gone it's up to the O's to take out the Yankees for Red Sox Nation. We are all Baltimore fans today.

Manager Interviews Start

Good! Let's get the process rolling. Tim Wallach, 3rd base coach of the Dodgers, is first up for an interview. He is 55 & has managed at different levels per the Sox website. Tim Bogar will also get a shot. I'd like to see anyone not associated with the team in the past 2 years, a fresh face to the Sox organization if you will. As the managerial interviews commence, it's time to sign Ortiz & Ross so we can move onto other priorities - starting pitching, SS, middle-of-the-order bat, etc. There's a long to-do list for Ben.

A's, Yankees Win

The Amazin' A's did it again, winning in the bottom of the 9th with 3 runs off Jose Valverde, a/k/a the human spitting machine which is part of his act before he leaves the bullpen. Coco Crisp got the walkoff single after a big 2-run double by Seth Smith. And Raul Ibanez, pinch hitting for A-Rod, moves the Yankees to within 1 win of taking their ALDS series over Baltimore. Didn't we see him do this to the Red Sox? It's like deja vu all over again. I wonder how the NY press is treating A-Rod today?

A's Stay Alive

Nice catch, Coco! Coco Crisp takes away a homer from Prince Fielder. The A's pitching does the job the rest of the way as their offense scratches out 2 runs. A's win 2-0. A game 4 win by Oakland would set-up a wild game 5 vs. Verlander. Billy Beane's boys keep the dream alive another day.

A's Need Some Mojo

The improbable, Moneyball A's of Billy Beane need to get their mojo on after dropping the 1st 2 to Detroit. The A's ran into Verlander in game 1 & played terrible in game 2. Maybe things turn around with a change in venue to the canvernous colossium in Oakland. As a pitcher, you love all the foul ground there. And we know the A's can pitch. It's an uphill battle for the A's, but this whole season has been an uphill battle. Maybe there's a little magic left in the green & yellow.

Yankees Lose

Hurray! The O's are on the scoreboard with a 3-2 win over the stinkin' Yankees. That ties their best of 5 at 1-1, so off to the Bronx for a best 2 out of 3. This close win last night, a hallmark of this season with Baltimore, should give the O's confidence going into Yankee Stadium. Keep the magic alive, O's!

Francona Gets Indians Job

Terry Francona is out of the booth & back on the field. He accepts the vacant manager's job with the Cleveland Indians. Is that a perfect spot for Tito? Out of the limelight. Small market. Anything he does next year with the Tribe is an improvement from this year. Good for him!

Time for Decision on Ortiz

Big Papi is coming back. He knows it. The Red Sox know it. It's time for Red Sox management to bite the bullet & give him his $13 million for next year & perhaps a vesting option for 2014 is he stays healthy & plays in 125 to 130 games. No heavy hitting prospect in the Sox system is closer than 2 years away. As it is, the Sox need to go out & find a complimentary, middle-of-the-order bat on the free agency market to shore up a hitter ahead or behind Ortiz like Gonzalez was. Let's not waste time in prolonging these negotiations with Big Papi. Get it done already. We have other things to do.

Patriots 31, Broncos 21

I thought Peyton Manning would do more damage to the Pats secondary. But when you rack up 35 first downs on offense, have a good running game & an accurate passing game it hard for the other guy to get the ball & put up points. Welker & Ridley were huge. Big win for the Pats to go 3-2 & take control of the division again. Next up are the 3-2 Seahawks on the road in Seattle. Pete Carroll's miracle calls by the replacement refs are over.

Brady & Manning Again

It should be a high scoring game at Gillette today as Tom Brady & Peyton Manning try to slice & dice each others defense. For some reason I feel it will come down to an important field goal by Stephen Gostkowski & this time he makes it. My pick is the Pats by 3, 35-32. We'll see how my crystal ball is in about 12 hours.

O's Take Care of Rangers

The American League entry into the last 2 World Series - the Texas Rangers - complete a dismal last few weeks of the season by losing their playoff game to the amazing Baltimore Orioles. Josh Hamilton looked overmatched with a slow bat at the plate. He struckout on 3 pitches in his last at-bat. And the Rangers big offense never got going in a 5-1 loss. The O's added insurance runs in the 8th & 9th to seal the victory. So it's O's, Yankees , Tigers, A's. You know the saying - anyone but the Yankees. The Cinderella A's have to be the popular choice to win followed by the incredible O's.

Infield Fly

What a crappy call in the Cards - Braves game! The Cards SS was 10-15 feet into the outfield grass. It didn't make the difference in the game won by the Cards 6-3, but it was an obvious blown call which MLB's Joe Torre backed up. An umpire's call (like balls & strikes) can't be overturned, but it should have been. Poor Atlanta just can't get out of their own way when it comes to the playoffs. One & done for the team with one of the best records in baseball. It was a tough ending to Chipper Jones' career in front of the hometown faithful. But the Cards just keep winning. So it's the Cards, Nationals, Reds & Giants left to slug it out in the NL. The Nats have to be the popular pick to win.

Do We Really Want John Farrell Back?

By all accounts John Farrell is the leading candidate for the job of next manager for the Boston Red Sox. I'm not sold on Farrell & I think the Sox could do better. Yes, he was a good pitching coach & knows the current big arms of Lester & Buchholz. But he has failed as a manager in Toronto which is the job opening here. And his teams are known for making the same errors over & over again. How about we make a completely fresh start? Try Ryne Sandberg or Joey Cora or Mike Lowell. Look at the job Mike Matheny did in St. Louis after the loss of Big Albert. A fresh, young face may be just what is needed in Boston after a seasoned manager failed.

Bobby Gone

Bobby V. will be collecting his paycheck from his living room next year. The Sox fired Valentine one day after the end of the regular season. Kudos to the front office for not dragging this out. An extreme makeover from top to bottom is needed for the Sox to contend again in the AL East where 3 teams finished the season with 90 or more wins. Bobby was not the whole problem, but he certainly was part of it. Put differently, he was not part of the solution. A manager in today's big league needs to be a psychologist, more than a strategist, & he needs to keep 25 guys ready to perform at their best everyday. Bobby missed that Manager 101 class at school. I always remember a line from Terry Francona. Tito said that you no longer treat players the way you would want to be treated - a mutual respect thing if you will. No, you treat them now the way THEY want to be treated. Isn't it so? OK, Ben. Job #1 is done & it was done in a speedy fashion. Time to move onto David Ortiz & Cody Ross now.

A's Finish Off A Great Season

The Oakland A's, the team with the lowest payroll in baseball, finished the season in 1st place & winners of the American League West crown. It's a great story & a credit to Billy Beane & his moneyball approach to rosters. The A's have to be sentimental favorites to go all the way once the playoffs start. As one reader commented, an A's & Nationals World Series would shock the established teams in MLB. No LA. No Boston. No Philly. Other than that team from New York, I'm OK with whomever wins the whole thing this year. The Cardinals & Braves are great stories. The Giants & Tigers are good stories too. And maybe the Rangers get their mojo back after a bad week. It's going to be a fun post-season. Just any team but the Yankees.

LA Not Represented in Playoffs

Dodgers got eliminated last night. Angels got eliminated as well. Lots of money spent by both teams to no avail. Look at the Yankees every year with the highest payroll in baseball & even they only have 1 World Series ring in the past 10 years. Money can't buy you happiness or a playoff spot. Example - Oakland A's & Baltimore Orioles. Let's hope the Red Sox spend wisely in this off-season & learn from their past mistakes.

NL Playoff Teams Set

Giants. Reds. Nationals. Wild card game between Cards & Braves. Those are the 5 teams in the post-season from the National League. No Dodgers & ex-Red Soxs to watch. No Phillies. Nice to see the Nats make it for once. Also nice to see the Cards & 1st year manager Mike Matheny make it back to post-season after Albert Pujols jumped ship. Albert will be watching from home as his Angels didn't make it this year. Sometimes there is justice out there.

It's Over Tonight

Mercifully, the 2012 season comes to an end in the Bronx tonight for the Boston 9 after the Red Sox blow a win in extras last night. One talk show already has a pool going on how long Dice-K will last tonight - 1, 2 or 3 innings. The Yankees maintain a 1-game lead over the O's who also won last night in Tampa. All of the post-season teams are set in the AL - Yankees, O's, Tigers, Rangers & A's. It's just a matter of who needs to play the one-game wild card elimination. The off-season can't start soon enough for the Red Sox & they (management) will need every day to fix the multiple problems that need repair before the start of spring training.

Sox To Do List

Week of October 1st. Ben Cherington's daily planner or iPhone calendar should have an entry for Thursday or Friday that says fire Bobby Valentine. That would be job #1 of the off-season. Week of October 8th. Re-sign Cody Ross & offer David Ortiz arbitration or a 2-year deal where the 2nd year is a club option. Week of October 15th. Start interviews for new manager. There should be items in Ben's calendar for every week of the off-season as there are many changes that need to be made.

Bombs Away in Bronx

I guess this final series didn't get off to the start I hoped for against the Yankees. Clay Buchholz will be thinking about his last start over the off-season. He didn't make it out of the 2nd inning, giving up multiple home runs. Sox lose 9-0. The Rays beat the O's, so the Yankees are 1 game up with 2 to go. Tampa Bay is 2 back in the wild card with 2 to go. Let's hope Lester & the Sox lineup can give a better performance tonight.

Pats Offense Explodes for 52

A Brandon Spikes hit on the goal line forces a fumble which is recovered by big Vince Wilfork as time is running out in the 1st half. That was the play of the game to me. The Pats stumble through a terrible 1st half to put together a solid 2nd half where the offense was unstoppable by land & air. It seemed as if Brady & Co. were striking at will. Up by 21 with 5 minutes left you would think of running out the clock since the Pats had given up leads in the 4th quarter in their 2 losses. But no, Brady to Lloyd & a field goal added another 10 points before the end of the game. Typical Bill Belichick game. Keep the starters in the whole game & run up the score. Some day that will come back to bite the Pats. But not this Sunday. Now the Pats porous secondary can get ready for Peyton Manning & the Broncos next Sunday.

Final 3 Games This Week

The O's & Yankees are tied with 3 games left. The Red Sox & Rays can play spoilers over the next 3 days. In fact the Rays are still not mathematically eliminated. It's going to be a wild finish, even if the Sox are on the wrong side of the playoff picture. Wouldn't it make for a fun finish if they either dropped the Yankees out of the AL East crown, forced them into a playoff game as a wild card or eliminate the pinstripers from the playoffs altogether? All these scenarios are possible after 159 games in the books. I'd like to see Lester & Buchholz both get wins.