Game time: 7:05 pm

Scheduled starters: Alay Soler (2-1, 3.22) v. Jon Lester (2-0, 2.76)

Boston weather: Noon observation at BOS: Wind out of the southwest at 17 mph, visibility 10 mph, few clouds at 4,400 feet, scattered clouds at 5,500 feet, temperature 81F, DP 66F.

Forecast: Summertime! It'll be warm and a bit muggy, but it's not gonna rain! That's because I'll be there!

The wind will be blowing out of the south/southeast, which is blowing in from right to across from right to left, at less than 15 mph.

Anni

In many ways, this is the most intriguing pitching matchup of the series. You heard it here first this is going to be the game with the fewest runs scored. I'm going out on a limb.

Meet the Mets
Greet the Mets
Step right up and BEAT the Mets

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Translation: Hot + Humid + light breeze + rookie (pitchers) = Home Run Derby?

GO SOX!

How about another 10 punchouts, Jon?

More importantly, how about 7+ innings to save the bullpen?

Who's that chick on the left? She's hot.

*Mojo-Military Campaign Mojo-Day 10*

Mojo continues to roll through inter-league play, courtesy of a last-minute boost from NU50. Sorta like the Red Sox relying on the late heroics of Big Papi. Come to think of it, have NU50 and Big Papi ever been seen together at the same place and same time?

Next up-the rested and refreshed Mets. The Sox, on the other hand, are a bit peaked from the extra-inning duels with the Futillies. Not too mention an off-day squandered with too many pitchers and innings. What the Sox need is the Mojo that comes from quick, decisive victory.



Simon Bolivar-“El Libertador”



led the armies that helped secure Latin American independence from Spain.


The Battle of Boyacá was typical of Bolivar’s campaign.

Bolívar's forces eventually caught up with the Royalist army in its march towards the road leading to Bogotá, the capture of which would effectively cut off the advance of the republican army and give the strategic initiative to its opponents.
The republican vanguard forced a confrontation through a surprise attack which divided Barreiro's army at a strategic bridge, splitting the Royalist force in half. Each half was defeated as Bolivar’s cavalry squadrons struck their foes' respective rearguards.
At least 1,600 troops and several of the Spanish commanders, including Barreiro himself, were captured at the end of the battle. New Granada's liberation was assured by this victory, which left the road to Bogotá and the city itself practically undefended, as the survivors headed towards other locations.

More than anything else, the Sox need a young, fresh arm.



John Lester has gone 6 innings in each of his last two starts, securing the win both times. The Sox will also need the fresh energy of Gabe Kapler, along with a rejuvenated Coco Crisp to help power the offense to an early lead. Oh, and Mojo believes that Rudy Seanez should be sent out on a pizza run-preferably to the nether regions of the Berkshires.

So who is taking the over/under on 8 total runs scored?



I am with MALC. I am taking the under.
Also, I think Lester is the better pitcher eventhough the Mets bats have been red hot lately.

Wishful thinking of a fanboy? Probably. Too hard to tell these days. Lester just needs to stay away from giving up those walks..

Today's Artpad: Papelbon Brings the Scrabble to the Locker Room

I'm going to the game tonight and I'm going to start a Pedro chant and try to get him to come out of the dugout for a little standing O. I have a line on tickets for tomorrow but it's not looking too good, so tonight is my only chance.

Not to mention, if we can get it done tonight, hopefully it will set the tone for tomorrow.

I'll be at the game tonight too...

Section 15, I think. I don't have the tickets with me.

I'll join in the Pedro chant, and hope he comes out to acknowledge it.

Lester needs to get ahead in counts. He has pitched well...but he fell behind Jose Guillen and some other lesser hitters and ended up grooving 3-1 fastballs...Fortunately for the Sox and Lester they popped out to left... If he grooves 3-1 Fastballs to Delgado/Wright/Beltran..they will not miss them. If he gets ahead..He will be great tonight.

Arrghh! Why is Varitek still hitting in front of Lowell??

Don't worry. You'll barely notice, since most of Tek's ABs have been over after one pitch lately.

Best of luck to Peter Gammons.

What happened to Gammons?

He's at Mass General with a brain aneurysm. Now I'm really upset. I like his work. He needs to get well and we need to win tonight.

I see that. I hope he achieves a full recovery.

So, who in the pen is available?

One would assume not Papelbon, not Delcarmen. Timlin and Tavarez threw about 20 pitches each yesterday, so expecting them to be fresh would be pushing it. And can Hansen pitch back-to-back days (he only threw 10 pitches)?

That leaves Javier Lopez and [shudder] Rudy Seanez.

God help us.

Let's hope we don't have to find out who's available in the pen.

I suppose Johnson is available in a worst case scenerio.

Nice to leave it all on Jon's (Lester) shoulders, eh Tito?

Is this making anyone else feel very very old? Bruce Hurst looks like he could take the mound and start tonight though, that handsome devil.

Please tell me Boggsie didn't just walk out wearing his Yankees WS ring.

These smoking commercials on SNY and YES are absolutely sickening. They should make you watch that if you want to buy smokes, and not be showing it to normal viewers.

Boggs got a nice reception despite being an ex-Yankee. See, it is possible.

Is it a prerequisite that this Green Day song must be played at all corny events that reminisce.

I like "Time of Your Life." But yeah, it's overplayed.

At least they didn't do Vitamin C's "Graduation."

They had to ruin it by playing that godawful Green Day song

Okay, Willie Harris gets some points in my book for standing there with his arm around Pesky.

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This trumpeter is giving me a headache.

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Jim Ed and Manny. What a great sight that was.

Well that trumpet hurt my ears..

Trumpets are the most annoying instruments on the face of the earth. I've played in orchestras for 7 years. I should know. At least this one is good.

As a trumpet player myself, I could tell he was incredibly nervous and his chops sounded a bit stiff to boot, which is why he struggled to hit those high notes. Sometimes you can just have one of those days as a player. But, he got through it.


I'm insulted. You must be a woodwind player. Gah!

I'm not even watching, but that song just ruined my day.

I definitely like the song. I just hate that it's played at any event thathas even the smallest bit of "looking back at days gone by" feel to it.

Lester sawed his bat in half!

Violin, actually. We don't spit on things

Dang, Julio Franco's hitting .322 this year. That's crazy.

Is it just me or does Lester look a lot older than 22?

Lester has a nice pick off move afterall

That's what i'm talking about! The headfake completely fooled Beltran.

Great pick off move by Lester.

Same as my girl. Violin and piano she plays.

Damn you sophisticated females. It makes me look bad when the only instrument I can play is, well, none.

Who is the guy that sits to the right in the first row behind home plate every single game? The dude with the graying hair who wears the same sport coat and white oxford shirt every day? He drives me nuts for some reason. I want to say Jeremy Kapstein, but maybe it's just some season ticket holder. Whatever. I just notice him ALL THE FREAKING TIME.

Nice pickoff.

Alay Soler and his 5.45 K/9 + 1.53 K/BB won't be lasting long at that rate. Shall tonight be the night for a beatdown?

Whoa, Varitek threw out a base-runner? And a good one at that? Gameday must be screwing with me.

I say it about all pitchers. They all look older. I think it's the hat head, and the fact that wearing a hat so much makes them look like their hairline is receding.

This NESN show is stupid as hell. "What if..." Here's a what if for ya. What if NESN's programming didn't completely suck, and they actually put out a few good series to watch when the Sox aren't on? Oooo, there's a good one.

Ok, ok, I respect that. I love the violin.

Note: I play the guitar and piano too.

How many chins does Soler have? I'm counting two.

I heart Kevin Youkilis.