Projo Sox Blog

Not because of the importance of the games, although they're very important to the Yankees. It's how they're being approached by the two sides.

In Boston, it's all about history. Unless the Sox and Yanks hook up in the ALCS, which is highly unlikely, this is it: This is the Red Sox' last visit ever to Yankee Stadium. Joe McDonald reports that, try as they might to focus on the now, at least some of the Sox players are feeling the tug of nostalgia as they prepare for their final series at this particular patch of land. That was also the focus of off-day stories by the Boston Globe's Amalie Benjamin and the Boston Herald's Jeff Horrigan. Even the New York Daily News acknowledged it, printing its list of the Top 10 Red Sox-Yankee Moments

But that was a rare bit of New York retrospection, because down there it's all about the games . . . and all about the fact that if the Yankees don't win them, well, they'll indeed be history. The Yanks trail the Red Sox by five in the wild-card race and realize that anything less than winning two out of three puts them in a hole they probably can't escape. No wonder, then, that the Daily News' Mark Feinsand says there is "more at stake for the Bombers [in these three games] than there has been in any series between the rivals since the 2004 ALCS." Even a sweep, writes the New York Post's George King, might not be enough because the Yanks have "a brutal schedule across the final 29 games that ends with three games at Fenway Park." (And that brutal final kick begins this weekend as the Blue Jays -- with Yankee-killers Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett in tow -- follow the Sox into the Stadium.) No wonder, then, that these are -- as the Post's Joel Sherman asserts -- desperate times in the Bronx.

So you can see why the Yanks aren't being overcome by the gentle weepies over the final visit of their storied rival.

It may be all be much ado about nothing. The math isn't in the Yanks' favor and neither, writes Peter Abraham on the LoHud Yankees Blog, is the patchwork Yankee starting rotation. Joba Chamberlain is still working his way back (New York Post), but when he'll arrive -- and whether he'll be a starter or a reliever when/if he gets there -- is something no one knows. "[It's] hard to see how the Yankees can pull this off," concludes Abraham, and I agree.

We'll know a lot more by late Thursday afternoon.

FROM RICHES TO FILTHY RICHES: While there are folks trying to stop the wrecking ball from taking down the old Yankee Stadium -- like the ones who started SaveYankeeStadium.org -- WEEI.com's Alex Speier says the new Yankee Stadium will drastically change baseball's financial landscape when it opens next year.

THE STRAW THAT STIRS THE DRINK: If the Yankees are going to get back into it, writes the Daily News' Mike Lupica, Alex Rodriguez has to start earning his $300 million.

RIGHT ON: The Herald's Tony Massarotti says Terry Francona "believes the right way is also the best way," and that he'd "rather lose doing the right things than win doing the wrong ones."

INJURY REPORT: McDonald has the medical update on David Aardsma, Julio Lugo, Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew.

RUNNING SMOOTH: Benjamin reports Jason Bay's knees, which were a concern in 2007, aren't bothering him any more.

A 'TEKKIE: Ex-Red Sox infielder Chris Donnels never played on the same team with Jason Varitek, but, on his blog, he warns Sox fans who want Varitek gone to "be careful for what you wish for." Varitek, he says, "is one of the few catchers qualified to call his own game."

LOOKING AHEAD: Maybe so, but it's questionable as to whether or not the Sox will bring Varitek back in 2009. Toward that end, Baseball Analysts takes an early look at the free-agent market for catchers (and infielders).

SIXTH SENSE: The Sox remain No. 6 in FoxSports.com's latest Power Rankings.

IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: Clay Buchholz allowed four runs in six innings in his first start for Double-A Portland (left) and told our Dan Hickling he was pleased with the results.

THAT NOISE YOU HEAR IS HEADS EXPLODING ALL OVER YANKEE UNIVERSE: Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that CC Sabathia's first choice is to sign with his hometown Giants. But Heyman's not sure San Francisco wants him, and says the Yanks are the early favorites to land the free-agent prize because of their "ability to blow away the field" financially.

CAN'T GET PAST IT: The Rays spent their offday yesterday fuming about the A.J. Pierzynski play that cost them Sunday's game in Chicago (St. Petersburg Times), but they admit there's nothing they can do about it. That didn't stop the blog Rays Index from a) obsessing on the play by breaking it down into its minutest detail (none of which seems to support umpire Doug Eddings' call) and b) joining an online cry for Eddings' head.

THINK HAPPIER THOUGHTS: The Rays say Evan Longoria is healing well and they'll know by the end of the week when he'll be back in the lineup. (St. Petersburg Times) Tampa Bay is 9-4 since losing Longoria, Carl Crawford and Troy Percival in short order.

MUCH IS EXPECTED: Joey Johnston of the Tampa Tribune collects quotes from a bunch of people who expect the Rays to stay right where they are.

Q AND A WITH . . . Andrew Friedman, the Rays' executive vice-president of baseball operations. (Outs Per Swing)

BYE, BYE, J.P.: Baseball Musings' David Pinto thinks J.P. Ricciardi is in his last lap as Blue Jays' general manager.

NO CATCH: Ex-PawSox catcher Kelly Shoppach has played so well in Victor Martinez' absence that the Indians may move Martinez to first base when he returns. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

CY OF DISBELIEF: FoxSports.com's Dayn Perry can't believe anyone thinks Francisco Rodriguez deserves the A.L. Cy Young Award.

BUYER BEWARE: And Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com talks to scouts who say K-Rod's decrease in velocity would not only make them wary of pursuing him in free agency, but makes them wonder how effective he'll be in the postseason.

NOW HERE'S AN AWARD-WINNER: Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan believes Carlos Quentin of the White Sox is the logical choice for American League MVP.

MAKING CHANGE: As rumored, the Rangers shipped Eddie Guardado to the Twins (Minneapolis Star-Tribune), making Frank Francisco the new closer in Texas. (Dallas Morning News)

A.L. RACES: Guardado did his job in his first day back with the Twins, pitching a scoreless eighth and handing a one-run lead to closer Joe Nathan. But Nathan blew the save and Minnesota wound up losing to the Mariners in 11 innings . . . The loss dropped the Twins one full game behind the White Sox in the Central, as Chicago 'split' in Baltimore, losing the completion of an April 28 suspended game but winning the regularly scheduled game (Chicago Tribune) . . . Minnesota now trails the Red Sox by 1 1/2 (two in the loss column) in the wild-card race.

IN CONTROL: Passan says the ability of the Twins' pitching staff to limit walks has been the key to Minnesota's success.

N.L. RACES: The status quo was maintained in the East; it's still the Mets by a half-game as they beat the Astros, 9-1 (New York Daily News) .. . . The Phillies, meanwhile, completed a four-game sweep of the Dodgers as Brett Myers extended his scoreless-innings streak to 16 in a 5-0 win. (Philadelphia Inquirer) So they stay right on New York's heels . . . Los Angeles didn't lose any ground in the West as Arizona suffered a walkoff loss in San Diego (Arizona Republic), keeping the Diamondbacks' lead at three . . . The Cubs now lead by five in the Central after clobbering the Pirates, 12-3. (Chicago Tribune)

NO CONTEST: If it winds up being a Cubs-White Sox World Series, Barack Obama -- as in, Illinois Senator Barack Obama -- isn't waffling as to who he'd support: "White Sox. I'm not one of these fair weather fans. You go to Wrigley Field, you have a beer, beautiful people up there. People aren't watching the game. It's not serious. White Sox, that's baseball. Southside." (Chicago Sun-Times)

'HE'S A GOOD DUDE': Myers had an interesting interaction with Manny Ramirez last night after he ended the seventh by getting Ramirez to line deep to right field with the bases loaded. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, "Ramirez shouted over to Myers as he walked off the field. Myers pointed toward him. It was acknowledgment of a job well done between two competitors." Said Myers afterward: "We've talked before. He's a good dude."

HERE AND THERE: The Mets have placed John Maine on the 15-day disabled list, but they're hopeful he'll pitch again this year (New York Times) . . . Daniel Cabrera's health was a matter of speculation after his dismal outing Sunday, and now comes word that he'll have an MRI on his elbow today (Washington Post) . . .The Reds' Johnny Cuerto will miss at least one start because of an elbow strain (mlb.com) . . . Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post examines the trade landscape and thinks the Rockies will deal Garrett Atkins this winter . . . The Twins designated Mike Lamb for assignment (St. Paul Pioneer Press) . . . The Tigers may deal Kenny Rogers before the Sept. 1 deadline for players to be on rosters in order to have postseason eligibility (Detroit Free Press) . . . The newest member of the 30/30 Club: Grady Sizemore (mlb.com) . . . Barry Bonds' lawyers are asking for a dismissal of 10 of the 15 charges against him. (mlb.com)

OLD FRIENDS: Matt Ginter, who was recalled by the Indians after they traded Paul Byrd to the Red Sox, is heading back to Buffalo (rotoworld.com) . . . Arizona manager Bob Melvin says Brandon Lyon's still his closer. (Arizona Republic)

AND FINALLY . . . If you're looking for signs as to whether or not Curt Schilling will play again in 2009, read his latest blog entry. Does that sound like a major-league player?

(Personally, I had the same reaction as commenter denisesoxfan: "I didn't understand a word you said in this blog, but I did click on the link.")

-- ART MARTONE