Hardball Heaven

It's game #3, and we're not going to get overly excited - no, we don't do that in Red Sox Nation - but we like what we see so far. The present and future was on display during this three-game series with Texas, and last night it was the young gunslingers -- Josh Beckett and Jonathan Papelbon - who caused us to fist-pump (like the lovely Maria Sharapova) at home along with them. Beckett went a superb seven, giving up one run and fanning five, Timlin pitched a clean 8th, and then - lo and behold, Tito threw Pap in there for closing duties instead of Foulkie, who got smacked around pretty good the night before. Papelbon was dominant, hovering in the mid-90's, and struck out Brad Wilkerson to end the game.

Of course, the radio airwaves are abuzz this morning about Tito's decision, which really isn't a controversy at all. Foulke's still getting his bearings, and may indeed end up being the closer before the year's out. But it's nice to have the depth in pitching. I think we all believe that Papelbon will be a front-line starter some day -- but why not save his arm right now and have him serve another role? He's certainly got the mentality for closing.

Day off today and then it's on to reunite with one of the former idots in Baltimore. Another idiot alum, Bronson Arroyo, hit a home run yesterday for the Reds off pathetic Cubs pitcher Glendon Rusch --and it wasn't no cheapie. About 12 rows up in the left-field seats.