So DJ PM'ed me and said that if Byrd got lit up tonight, it'd be on my head.

My thinking is that the Jays already had his number, and were going to light him up for 10 runs or more.

The way I see it, if he gives up nine or fewer, I've done my job.

Just win and get it over with.

reverse lock?

With Byrd going against Toronto for the 32nd time in the last 3 weeks and Burnett on the other side, this is indeed a Major Reverse Lock.

If Mr. Byrd took heed of Tony's fine work, Toronto may as well just concede this now.

Dear JD Drew,

Only 10 games left, so why not play in a few?

Love,

SoSH

Jason Bay returns after his selfish wife had to go into labor during the most important series of the season! YAY!

I'm just saying, at least we get Bay back...I'm not expecting Drew to be back

Will we ever see Drew again this season?

TORONTO -- Mike Lowell (slightly torn labrum in right hip) is not in tonight’s Red Sox lineup. We’ll have more in a bit … but in the meantime, here are the lineups:

Red Sox
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. Sean Casey, 1B
6. Jason Bay, LF
7. Mark Kotsay, RF
8. Jed Lowrie, SS
9. Jason Varitek, C

P -- Paul Byrd

Blue Jays
1. Joe Inglett, 2B
2. Marco Scutaro, SS
3. Alex Rios, RF
4. Vernon Wells, CF
5. Lyle Overbay, 1B
6. Adam Lind, DH
7. Scott Rolen, 3B
8. Gregg Zaun, C
9. Travis Snider, LF

P -- A.J. Burnett

Ellsbury batting leadoff again? Come on Tito.

I'm really starting to think we won't.

Not having a healthy Drew or Lowell dampens my hopes during the post season.

It's a depressing thought, that's for sure.

If that's the case, Tito really needs to be starting Casey almost every game down the stretch, IMO. He's been sporadically in the lineup all season (due to logjams, injuries, suspensions, etc.), and it would seem to me that he needs some regular playing time to get ready for the postseason. Without Drew/Lowell, I think the best lineup will have both Coco and Casey starting with Ellsbury/Kotsay in RF (depending on who's batting better at the time). None of this Cora starting at short or Kotsay at 1B crap.....I can't believe I'm actually calling for Coco to start on a regular basis.

Ok guys - time for the last sprint - gun the engine, open the throttle, kick ass and ride all over these Jays. Wild card is nice, but home field is better.

GO SOX - WIN TODAY!

The Sox are forced to play this game with a detatched Colon

and Lowell's labrum can't be happy about that.

A season filled with internal turmoil

Paul Byrd faces the Blue Jays for the 5th time in the last 40 days. D'ya think they know what he throws by now? Will they even bother stealing his signs?

Gulp.

Get a room you two.

I'm pretty sure that funeral Drew traveled to in Georgia was his own.

Are we really going to have to deal with this shit for game 1 in Anaheim? Jesus.

And as I type, he strikes out on a pitch a foot out of the zone.

Before they prolapse into a warm embrace?

More kudos to the brilliant schedule-makers who decided it was a good idea to play 4 series against the Jays in a 5 week span.

Pretty feeble.

I wonder who hits the first HR off Byrd, Rios or Wells?

Not to be contrary or anything, but Jacoby Ellsbury is 11 for his last 25. He's actually hot, for the first time since his wrist injury. But against Burnett's fastball, it would help if he'd try a bunt...

Pedroier!!!

Wow. Nice recovery by Pedroia.

Those batting helmets look ridiculous. There was a reason you retired the baby blues, Toronto.

He is a freak of nature.

Can someone make a YouTube video that shows Paul Byrd how not to suck?

The tap and the fastball?

WTF Byrd?

We got to be more patient against Burnett, but all he's doing is throwing strikes (sans Pedroia-at-bat).

BJs swinging for the fences tonight.

He's still tapping the fastball into the glove. It's much less pronounced, like he's obviously trying not to do it, but it's there.

7 pitch inning...nice.

So far so good TKAA!

Yes, it would be nice if he kept that up all night huh?

It's going to be like 90F here today, first day of cricket. Seriously considered just staying home and finishing up with the game, at least to see if Burnett can throw a no-hitter.

as long as all 7 stay in the park each inning.

Stoopid play by Burnett.

Send Bay...Zaun throws like a girl.

Vernon Wells needs to fucking die.

Error - no hitter still alive.

I was pretty sure Kotsay had that in the gap off the bat...Damn

Rays up 3-0 in the first.

Evan Longoria is out of control.

Nice at-bat, Tek. Fucking corpse.

I hate Varitek with the fire of 1000 suns.

Nice one Ted.

Ted sucks.

All the investment bankers might be losing their jobs, but Jed ain't goin' nowhere!

Way to work an at-bat, Tek.