Smell that sh*t? The Red Sox must be in town

Let's get right to it. It's the 2008 Yanks-Sox, Part II....

Be realistic

"You go back, Jack, do it again..."

Not a chance, that's my read. No way Chien-Ming Wang repeats last Friday's two-hit performance -- okay, not no way, but the odds are reaaaaaaaaally slim -- so let's study some history for a minute, then we'll rub the crystal ball and see what might be more in store for tonight.

In 13 career starts vs. Boston, Wang has a 6-5 won-loss record, averages 6 and 1/3 innings per start, surrenders 1.05 hits per inning, has a 4.05 ERA, and issues nearly four walks per nine innings to Red Sox batters. (And the ERA was over 6.00 before last week's complete-game shutout). Career stats are meanignful in baseball because, all things being equal, those numbers usually bear out at any given time.

Last Friday, all things were not equal. Wang was giving up fly balls as if Fenway measured 400 feet down the lines. He was lucky only one left the park. He didn't issue a walk, which isn't that surreal (in his career with the Yankees, Wang has gone to a 2-0 count on only 93 batters, and only 42 of those guys have gotten to 3-0; the guy just doesn't like to live outside the strike zone). But the Sox have worked their way onto base against Wang, and it's likely to happen some more tonight.

Given his career numbers against the Sox, Wang is likely to check out of tonight's contest sometime in the seventh inning, probably with one out, with at least three runs given up and maybe a guy on base.

We'd all love a repeat of last week, but it's not very likely to come off that way.

Say it ain't so, Mo

And keeping Wang's numbers in mind, I have to ask: Why was Mariano Rivera in that game last night?

With Joba gone until probably Friday, and with Farnsworth looking okay, did we have to use Mariano to close out Tampa? I know he only threw 14 pitches Monday night, and only another 13 last night, but has Joe Girardi lost so much faith in the rest of the pen that he will risk making Mo unavailable, with Joba out of town and the Sox coming in?

Maybe I'm overreacting, and maybe the Yanks win 10-3 tonight, but it just seemed unnecessary to risk a long outing with Mo when he'll be potentially more crucial for these two games in New York. I just thought we could've gotten by without him.

The LOB stat

Does anyone keep a stat for teams leading the majors in runners left on base? I've been to lazy to look it up, but if there is one, the Yankees have to be league leaders. Another 21 runners were stranded last night. What's the threshold before Girardi starts having everyone steal home? 25? 30? The Yankees had more walks than hits last night -- 9-to-8 -- but runners are just not coming around to score. It's almost as if fans are starting to take for granted that guys on the bases are just going to be standing there a while.

At least we get to lip-read a lot of conversations between Derek Jeter and opposing fielders. Last night, I think I saw him say "Goos-frobba" to Carlos Pena.

Where's Terry Benedict when you need him?

The fictional casino owner of Ocean's 11 was renowned for ruining the lives of cheaters, and the families of cheaters. There's a debate going around the Internet about whether the Yankees should sue this jackass who buried the Sox jersey in the bowels of the new Stadium. Some worry it will make the Yankees look vengeful and ill-humored, but.....

I say, bury the guy. Ruin him. Make him a martyr! If his brother-in-law owns a tractor dealership, bankrupt it! If his father owns a bank..... rupt it! Make every Sox fan quiver at the thought of defiling hallowed ground.

Or..... we could just forget the whole thing and beat their asses in October.

Either way, I'm down.