Unfinished Experiments

So, Lord Helmet, at last we meet again for the first time for the last time. - Lone Starr

Red Sox. Yankees. ALCS. It really doesn't get any better than this, despite my rather naive predictions (for which I was severely chastised afterward, mea culpa). So where does this leave us? With the Yankees winning in four games, they can set up their rotation any way they want. With everything staying the same (and El Duque remaining unavailable), the matchups will probably be (with ERA and BA against each team, from ESPN):

Game #1: Curt Schilling (4.82, .239) vs. Mike Mussina (3.50, .268)
Game #2: Pedro Martinez (5.47, .245) vs. Jon Leiber (4.19, .240)
Game #3: Bronson Arroyo (5.25, .271) vs. Kevin Brown (5.93, .322)
Game #4: Tim Wakefield (1.83, .189) vs. Javier Vazquez (5.56, .287)

Hmmm...methinks one of these things is not like the other. And to think he could pitch back-to-back games if needed. Just no extra-inning, on-the-road relief appearances, please.

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Ron Gardenhire completely lost the series for the Twins. Remember the scene in Ghostbusters where they're all confronting Gozer and she asks Ray if he's a god? He says "No" and she zaps their asses to oblivion. Winston then says the now-classic line, "Ray, if someone asks you if you're a god you say YES!"

That's a bit how I felt every time Gardenhire made a pitching change. "Ron, if your pitcher has nothing left you bring in a fresh arm!" or, conversely, "Ron, if your pitcher is throwing lasers don't go to your bullpen or bring in Juan frickin' Rincon!"

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It's pretty sad when the presidential debate is more entertaining than Game 3 of the Yankees-Twins series.

Lima Time is back! Who would have thunk it? Now, hopefully, there will be significantly more coverage of his, er, talented wife.

This is scary, both for the content itself and the sugary-sweet commentary that accompanies it. Not for the faint of heart if you're a Red Sox fan.

If Al Leiter is let go this offseason, the Mets will save about $20 million/year in payroll (losing Mo Vaughn's contract, including buyouts). With this cash freed up, the Mets should easily be able to sign Kris Benson and actively pursue Carlos Beltran hard, no namby-pamby Guerrero like offers this year.

The batting averages of Mike Stanton, Joe McEwing, and Tom Glavine with runners in scoring position were 1.000, .355, and .316 respectively this season.

When are the Mets going to sign Philip Humber, their first round pick from this year's draft? He had to be left off the Mets now-pathetic Arizona Fall League Roster because he hasn't signed yet.

In the absence of Da Ali G show, the Venture Brothers is the funniest thing on television right now.

Don't these trailers for The Incredibles look, well, incredible? If the new Fantastic Four film next year is half as good looking, it's going to be dynamite (although I'm not holding my breath from what I've seen so far).

Now if you'll excuse me, there's the ceremonial breaking of a long standing NFL record that requires my attention.