Patrick

The search and rescue team finally located Paul Pierce. They can now redouble their efforts on Ray Allen. With Gibson out, Cavs needed a solid game from another outside shooter. Wally Szczerbiak, Sasha Pavlovic, and Damon Jones did not deliver. With essentially no help, LeBron had the Cavs down 1 with 2:20 to go. Could have really used Carlos Boozer... And how about some of those wild bounces off the rim that fell through for Celts? Red Auerbach was definitely helping out. If Pistons are alert and paying attention (not coasting), I think they will take Boston in 5 or 6, even with more games in Boston.

Part of the Mussina success may be due to the fact that two of his wins have come against the anemic Indian offense (facing Byrd and Laffey). The NY/Cle season series is now over. His other wins have been against TB (twice!), CWS, and Seattle.

A streak continues (i.e. no earned runs from the Tribe starter): May 15. Aaron Laffey, 7 IP, 0 ER, 5H, 1BB, 6K, beat Oakland 4-2. Laffey throwing error generated an unearned run in the second, so maybe he really "earned" it. Kobayashi wild pitched home one of the three baserunners (!) Betancourt put on in the ninth, but then fanned Sweeneys Mike and Ryan to earn his second save in as many chances. Too bad Borowski will be back soon, and will be given the closer job. Hopefully some colossal flameouts will ensue and Wedgie will go with someone else. If only it were that easy! And Travis Hafner stole a base! Next 3 at Reds and 3 at WSox.

Holy smokes, another complete game Tribe shutout! Worth recapping the last turn through the rotation: May 10. Aaron Laffey, 7 IP, 0 ER, 6H, 1BB, 2K, beat Toronto 12-0 May 12. Fausto Carmona, 9 IP, 0 ER, 5H, 4BB, 2K, beat Toronto 3-0 May 12. Cliff Lee, 9 IP, 0 ER, 7H, 2BB, 5K, lose to Toronto 3-0 in 10 innings (thanks Betancourt!) May 13. Paul Byrd, 7.1 IP, 0 ER, 5H, 0BB, 7K (!), beat Oakland 4-0 May 14. CC Sabathia, 9 IP, 0 ER, 5H, 2 BB, 11K, beat Oakland 2-0 Haven't yet seen any highlights or discussion about how recently something like this has happened. Some will point out that Toronto is in last place and recently lost Wells. This is still pretty damn impressive. Even with Laffey and Byrd perhaps over achieving this week, I think this rotation can hang with just about anybody (and Jake Westbrook is on the shelf right now). If only they could reliably score a few runs...

Joseph Heller Helen Keller Bob Feller

I think Jason Michaels may still be available, but not Jason Tyner...

I did as well. My local store wasn't quite as pathetic as others have described but they are definitely moving in that direction. Has anyone recently used one of these coupons more than once?

I don't believe I'm typing this, but Paul Byrd!!! 7.1 IP, 0 ER, 7K, 0BB. Cleveland starters have allowed a grand total of 1 run in their last 39 innings pitched. If only Betancourt wasn't trying to do his best Borowski imitation. Kobayashi gets his first save tonight.

Mike Brown is not getting fired any time soon, and why should he? He wasn't the one that got hoodwinked by Carlos Boozer, or that thought guys like Larry Hughes, Damon Jones, Donyell Marshall, were the answer. Cavs missed a lot of player-games to holdouts and injuries, and made a blockbuster trade that did not cost them either of their valuable, potentially available, young players (Gibson, Varajao). Joe Smith has been a pleasant surprise (not missing Drew Gooden who for a long time I felt had a chance to be an excellent power forward). Wally and Ben are old, but they contribute as much as Larry Hughes and Donyell Marshall. And Delonte West has a chance to be an effective point guard (we shall see). Brown does need an offensive ass't coach real bad, but one could do a lot worse. Q: Is Doc Rivers still a coaching genius? Pistons fans have to be feeling pretty good right now. Even if Boston survives Cleveland, Detroit has got to like their chances against the Celtics' not so big 3. Jeff Van Gundy is a brutal tv commentator--we are seriously into Bill Walton territory here (who I find to be rather amusing in a sick way). Give me Hubie, or Fratello, or Mark Jackson. Send JVG off to be the towelboy in Orlando, please...

Fausto Carmona!!! Cliff Lee!!! (ERA dips to 0.67, 9 inning no decision) Asdrubal Cabrera (responsible for 2/3 of the offense in a doubleheader, and the unassisted triple play)!

Another solid start for Sabathia against Jays, 7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 9 K, 2 BB, a win, and the ERA tumbles down to 6.55. Clutch pinch hit by Ben Francisco who has already contributed more than Jason Michaels had all season.

Yeah, too bad he has to be followed by Paul Byrd. And too bad that Jason Giambi doesn't get to hit off Byrd every day. I saw on a Yankee blog an analysis where he divided pitchers into "finesse" "power" and "in-between" and showed how, for the last two years, Jason Giambi has done all of his damage off of "finesse" guys, of whom Byrd is a perfect example, and can't hit power guys to save his life any more. So every time Giambi says he that he feels great and is ready to bust out, check the schedule for who he's going to be facing. And remember, too, that in 250 ABs from last May to this May, he is hitting .180. Yes, Byrd has been brutal this year. This is what I thought they signed way back when, perhaps a serviceable 5th starter. Nothing to get too excited about. But after getting healthy, he was a pleasant surprise last year. Stunning that he performed so well as the 3rd guy in the rotation for much of last year, after Westbrook and Lee missed most/all of the season. I won't get too upset if the "Paul Byrd era" ended sooner rather than later. [Arguably, it already has ended.] And the anemic Indian offense has now twice made Moose look five years younger. And I fear that Travis Hafner may be turning into the next Cory Snyder. To get to .500 in May...

Yeah, too bad he has to be followed by Paul Byrd. And too bad that Jason Giambi doesn't get to hit off Byrd every day. I saw on a Yankee blog an analysis where he divided pitchers into "finesse" "power" and "in-between" and showed how, for the last two years, Jason Giambi has done all of his damage off of "finesse" guys, of whom Byrd is a perfect example, and can't hit power guys to save his life any more. So every time Giambi says he that he feels great and is ready to bust out, check the schedule for who he's going to be facing. And remember, too, that in 250 ABs from last May to this May, he is hitting .180. Yes, Byrd has been brutal this year. This is what I thought they signed way back when, perhaps a serviceable 5th starter. Nothing to get too excited about. But after getting healthy, he was a pleasant surprise last year. Stunning that he performed so well as the 3rd guy in the rotation for much of last year, after Westbrook and Lee missed most/all of the season. I won't get too upset if the "Paul Byrd era" ended sooner rather than later. [Arguably, it already has ended.] And the anemic Indian offense has now twice made Moose look five years younger. And I fear that Travis Hafner may be turning into the next Cory Snyder. To get to .500 in May...

Cliff Lee!!!!

How often did AEC perform at the Jazz Showcase? A little surprising to me given my perception of Joe Segal's tastes (but what do I know). Anyone recall those shows in April '77?

Happiness!!!

Isn't baseball season just great!!

As lame as Flip is, the last thing any team needs is Larry Brown. You'd be much better off with Mike Fratello, or Hubie Brown, or several other retreads. Yeah, NYK is the perfect spot for Larry Brown.

Yes. Five in a row and in second place behind Chisox. Byrd served up three gophers but survived last night. Sowers pitched well this afternoon--Jensen Lewis couldn't survive the seventh. And why weren't the Indians running at will against Jorge today? Sizemore got gunned down, after staying attached to first for two outs. Oy. NY fortunate to avoid the dominant AL starter Cliff Lee!!! Victor Martinez as steady as ever. Offense otherwise not really clicking. Dellucci/Michaels in left remains brutal. Starting pitching (besides CC until his most recent start) has been solid. JoeBo and Westbrook to miss a month each. Hopefully Laffey will follow Sowers with another solid start. Nice to have 7 major league starters. Hopefully CC will repeat his most recent performance, and not the rest of 2008 (or 2007 postseason) against Wang.

Happy Birthday Mark!!

I was there as well. First time ever to experience Mr. Rollins in person. Initially fearful that it would be extremely short--only played for about 20 minutes before taking a break (much like Tyner earlier this year), but played for an hour plus after the break. The guy is still having fun, and sounding as vital as ever. Fairly full house too (many DC class trip student groups).

congrats to the quartet. The joy--and the mayhem--continues, hopefully with a lot of smiles!!

In my alternative Indians bullpen universe, Joe Borowski is the long man. Maybe closer by committee, or give it to Betancourt. Rafael Perez, Jensen Lewis, Masa Kobayashi, and to a lesser extent Jorge Julio are the setup guys. Of those guys, the only one that you can make a legitimate argument is weaker than Borowski is maybe Julio (based on age, injuries), or possibly Kobayashi (unproven in MLB). Good news is that JoBo just got placed on the DL with a strained right biceps muscle. Tom Mastny, the last bullpen cut, was promoted. I suspect Betancourt will get first crack at the closer role. Briefly to other positive things. Travis Hafner, while not totally locked in averagewise, is presently not in the shackles of last year. Jake Westbrook was solid and steady again. If Cliff Lee can continue to pitch at the level he was pitching a few years ago, then Paul Byrd can rightly reclaim his spot as the fifth starter (behind CC, Fausto, Westbrook, and Lee) instead of the third starter (much of last season). Sabathia has been brutal so far, but I remain confident during his contract year. Most of the time, Manny Ramirez in a foreign uniform does not bother me. The guy can swing, and doesn't seem to take himself too seriously (usually). Occaisionally he does deserve a knockdown pitch following the posing at home. Manny was Manny, but it was Youk that I had a bad feeling about before the game started. That guy just kills the Tribe. And first pitch was thrown by Mudcat Grant. Accompanied by Al Downing, and JR Richard, two other African American 20 game winners. Hot stove league may be over, but let's keep the stove hot in Cleveland (...and a few other places) for at least a few more weeks.

It's painfully obvious now. Joe Borowski must have comprising pictures of Eric Wedge and/or Mark Shapiro together or with farm animals or ... already two blown saves, velocity is down. A stacked bullpen. How much longer??? Hey Red Sox Nation, enjoy the gift you received tonight.

TBS has dropped the Braves. They have a national Sunday afternoon broadcast now, and I believe that they will have the NLCS as well. Cool. Did not know that. Just shows how much time I spend clicking by WTBS. I haven't been watching much baseball yet--though enough to notice Sabathia is off to a lousy start, Borowski is still terrible (and maybe injured), but Westbrook and Lee are pitching well (at least against Oakland).