Numbness and tingling in my typing fingers

Sawx Talk sixer - (Patriot Wednesday debuts tomorrow)

1) Well, we're in the home stretch, September call-ups and the like. It's looking more and more like the Sox will continue to plow along and snag the wildcard. Although this year seems eerily reminiscent of 2005, there isn't a dominant squad out there, so one figures it's worth hanging around to see how it turns out. The major key being Josh Beckett. If he's healthy and throwing lights out, there's a playoff rotation of Beckett-Lester-Matsuzaka-Wakefield, and that's as good as anything out there. I'd like another reliable arm in the pen, but that's another story. Josh, it's on you, dude. No pressure.

2) Still feeling like the Sox are missing a bat after the Manny trade? Well, it would help if they had a full roster of hitters available. Sunday's 7-9 of Bailey-Cora-Cash was less than awe-inspiring. But a lineup with Youk, Lowell and Drew? Little better. A healthy infield of Lowell-Lowrie-Pedoria-Youk works, and they only need three of Drew-Ellsbury-Crisp-Bay-Kotsay to be healthy and productive. So it's not out of the question for this team to make noise, but the margin for error is slim. As someone who has suffered through both of JD Drew and Josh Beckett's current injuries, I'd understand if they decided to ocme back sometime in March.

3) Both Saturday's and Sunday's contests were on basic cable out here (hooray) - so let me be the first to say "man, the White Sox suck". It's looking like the AL contingent will be LA-TB-BOS-(CWS/MIN) - and boy, would I rather play the Twins or White Sox at home than the Angels on the road. So I'd like to not give up hope on the division yet. 6 games remain against the vaunted Rays, enough to either close the gap or end all hopes. So that'll be fun.

4) Other games remaining include 7 more with Toronto (who clearly will win 3 of those), a season ender with the Yanks, and series against the Rangers and Tribe, who we can only hope will be in full September mode (but you know Cleveland will get Cliff Lee a start in that set). So wild card is still the most likely thing. Note that the White Sox and Twins only have one 3-game series left, so they could both play the season out and pressure the Sox on that front.

5) MVP - I have enjoyed the M-V-P chants that have been accompanying Pedroia's at bats lately, though my gut suggests that Youk is actually team MVP for the season (acknowledging that DP has been carrying the team the last couple weeks. Cleanup? Why not). Actual research can be used to make a case either way. Youk has a significant (~100 point) advantage in OPS; Pedroia has a higher VORP due to his 2nd baseness, Youk has half a dozen more WIn-Shares. Tough call. Youk has significantly fewer ABs, partially due to missing a few games, somewhat due to his batting lower in the order earlier in the year. Tough call, I'd go with Co-MVPs for now, with September looming large.

6) The Orioles, as a whole, continue to suck ass, blowing games to Tampa in epic fashion, and dipping into their bullpen earlier and earlier every night. Jon Lester for the win, please...