Okay, so...

Obviously 8.5 GB is still an awful lot. But since May 29 (just over two weeks ago), the Sox have gone 5-8, and the Yanks have gained a whopping 6 games in the standings. Two more weeks like this and the AL East is competitive again. At what point do we start getting worried?

Jinx alert

Verlander has a no-no through 8.

The web in action

Right now, 6:05pm on June 11, 2007, there is no Wikipedia entry for LMonstro. Googling LMonstro only gives 12 links, mostly to other blogs talking about the new surreal NESN video with Manny and Tina Cervasio.

Keep checking the links. I imagine there'll be a Wikipedia entry by tomorrow. And 200 Google hits by next week. And only a couple Sports Centers until someone uses "Lmonstro!" as their new homerun call.

An article about yesterday's Yankees game...written 3 weeks ago

Groan:

"Roger Clemens' 2007 debut produced more than a victory Saturday. It also rekindled some of the Yankees' long lost energy."

10 GB

You never know, but the Yanks taking 8 of their last 10 games sure makes you wonder whether they've finally turned the corner. In those ten games they've outscored opponents 72-46, so for the first time all season they're hitting and pitching. In the same game!

Two immediate thoughts:
1) thank god for that 10-game cushion. Double-digit leads are generally good things.
2) Annoyingly, if they did indeed turn it around 2 weeks ago, Roger Clemens will get all the credit.

Notes from Around the Blogsphere

Slow news day? More like I am trying not to get too focused on the little skid we're on. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for our fellow bloggers. Here is a quick look around the blogsphere:

Fire Brand leads with "Don't get swept" - Crap that doesn't help me
Peter a.k.a Darkman's Big Papi leads with "Four straight losses and six for seven" - Gulp!
Mnookin has no new posts but has all the links to Stray-Rods tryst - ah... that's better
Joy of sox leads with Super Manny - it is a funny picture of Manny sliding into second. There second post is titled, "What me worry? (No, but it's time to bat Lugo #8)... What so he can hit into even more double plays?
Surviving Grady Leads with... well I just really don't know what...

Anyway... that was fun! Congrats to Grieve. I believe he done graduated and stuff today! Now he's all edujmacated.

Moving on...

I just wanted to post something so I don't have to reread the same NY series post. That left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I remind myself to check the current standings. Ah, safe for now with our 12.5 lead. Not to mention, the fact that the Devil Rays and Yankees are still tied!!!

There is no doubt in my mind that the Yankees will improve, but like the Red Sox I'd like to focus on what is ahead of us. Last night's game was a tough loss. However, I have to give our boys credit. They scored on the best pitcher in the league and they played through the end of the game, tying things in the ninth. Chavez has sucked all year and Synder got unlucky or threw a crappy pitch. Still after an exhausting series in Boston and an exhausting flight to Oakland, to be able to tie it in the ninth and force extra-innings is a good sign that our boys are playing their hearts out.

Again, it was dissapointing (especially for X who was there), but I am staying positive. Especially, when the Yankees still can't get a starter at the bottom of their rotation to pitch past the 3rd inning.

Here we go again

So as I mentioned earlier, I was hoping Mienkviewiowjoewj wold actually start to play well. and he had, a bit. But then today in a freak play., Lowell broke his wrist. Among other injuries. And he appears to be out for a while. While I got a huge chuckle out of mcCarver saying Doug was loved in Boston for being part of the 2004 team and recording the last out (I guess it is a little true, only Damon and Foulke could be lower on the list of 04 love), I couldn't help but think that this is not necessarily a good thing. With Giambi and Mienky apparently also out for a while, I'm sure NY will do something. Helton and Teixera are the names that come to mind, but who knows.

In the plus side, with pedro still on the Dl and Damon now so dinged up that he can't play CF and is now DH'ing (with no power), Theo is looking pretty good.

One of the best sentences ever written

From the AP:

"Pitcher-for-hire Roger Clemens was scratched from Monday's start against Chicago because of groin fatigue."

Here we go again

As we have talked about before, this is one of those situations - Sox lose a tough one to open the series and now it is gut check time. A win today avoids the sweep and guarantees that NY leaves town at least 12.5 games back. And Beckett goes tomorrow. Actually this is just like a week ago when all the Sox really needed was to avoid the sweep. I actually fee l pretty good about today - Mussina is notoriously soft. And Schilling will bask in the spotlight.

Here is a thought - with Giambi hurt and out for a while now, it would seem the perfect time for him to get "suspended" for his comments, steroid, etc. Of course he is already on the DL, so that probably won't work in terms of masking it (think Jordan's one year suspension/retirement from basketball for gambling). For real suspensions (over fights), the player has to be activated from the DL and the team loses its roster spot (i.e., plays with 24). But with steroids, the team can replace the player - doesn't seem fair, but that is the rule. So a hurt Giambi could be "suspended." But everyone would see through the shame. Then again Selig likes to make statements.

A nice 17-1 win today would be great.