Tomo Arigato

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

Well, the euphoria of Red Sox Nation was short-lived after sweeping the Yankees over the weekend. The Red Sox dropped a 7-3 decision to Hazel's hometown Toronto Blue Jays last night at Fenway, what must make the loss tough to stomach is that the Jays came into the game missing a few regulars and losers of five straight before last night.

Toronto's starter Tomo Ohka survived a few shaky innings on his way to picking up the win; truth be told, the Red Sox let him off the hook a couple of times, not being able to cash in runners in scoring position. Julio Lugo and Kevin Youkilis combined to leave ten men on base, while the heart of Boston's lineup (Big Papi, Manny and D.L. Drew) combined to go 1 for 13.

On the night Ohka pitched five plus innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out four; he really didn't pitch very well and was let off the hook a number of times when Boston couldn't manage to come up with a clutch two-out hit. Was it just me, or did Wily Mo Pena look really really bad in a couple of at-bats? There were times when he looked like he didn't have a clue against Ohka. As I said last week when they lost to Gustavo Chacin - unacceptable. (I have since received emails telling me Chacin is a Red Sox killer - doesn't matter, he shouldn't be, he isn't that good).

Boston and Toronto go at it again tonight with Roy Halladay taking the mound against Julian Tavarez - it is going to get a lot tougher for Boston tonight, another loss tonight (while not devastating) may bring the Nation back to reality after a weekend in the clouds against the Yankees.

The Vancouver Canucks beat the Dallas Stars last night by a count of 4-1 (two empty net goals) to advance to the Conference Semi-Finals against the Anaheim Ducks. Game 7 was much like the rest of the series, a close-checking, boring, "make no mistakes" kind of game - exactly what the NHL didn't want to see in the playoffs. Roberto Luongo showed what a great goalie can do to another team - he wasn't tested very often last night, but was there when his teammates needed him, making at least four unbelievable saves. Luongo was key in killing off a few Dallas 5 on 3 power plays. Stu Barnes is going to have nightmares about Luongo all summer. The trade with Florida could wind up being one of the best ever in the NHL. Mike Keenan - haha.

Champions League action today - ya, I know most of you don't like football/"soccer", but Cristiano Ronaldo leads an injury-riddled Manchester United team against A.C. Milan at Old Trafford today. I'm calling on the kid to create some magic today.

HAZEL'S THREE STARS
Toronto Blue Jays 2B Aaron Hill was 4 for 5, with a home run and two doubles while driving in two runs, to lead the depleted Jays to a 7-3 win last night. We don't know how Hazel would feel about this one - is Boston number one over Toronto now? If so, hopefully ONLY in baseball - we'd like to think she is still part of Leaf Nation.

Chicago White Sox 1B Paul Konerko was 3 for 4 with two home runs, and drove in five, to lead the other Sox to a 7-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals last night. For the record, we like big Paul and hated to see the Dodgers trade him all those years ago.

Vancouver Canucks G Roberto Luongo - see above.

TUESDAY THREE PLAY
Well, we pretty much called it yesterday - an emotional letdown by Boston ended up costing us big; the Rangers dropping one of the Mariners didn't help either. After having read a preview of the Rangers/Mariners game, I wanted to change the pick, but couldn't get on to blogger to do it. Oh well, we've had bad starts to a week before - we'll recover. We start the week at - $240.

Texas over Seattle - we are going with the Rangers again today, the Mariners are still bad on the road and it won't get an easier facing Vincente Padilla today. Lay $100 on the Rangers - $116.

Minnesota over Cleveland - Red Sox Nation could call this one, its Johan Santana vs Fausto Carmona...need I say more? Lay $100 on the Twins - $220.

Chicago over Milwaukee - Rich Hill goes for the Cubs (and the Maeple Leafs) and he's been money this year. No reason to think it will be any different tonight at Wrigley. Lay $100 on the Cubs - $160.

With the Jays in Boston - Hazel doesn't needed to be kept up on what's what in Toronto. That's it for this morning gang have a great one peeps!

HAZEL'S TUESDAY HOROSCOPE
Get the lowdown on something that interests you and then move full steam ahead. You can increase your confidence by enhancing your looks and your attitude. An emotional matter can be taken care of by addressing the problem head-on. 5 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - wake up song

Feel Good Inc - Gorillaz

Windmill windmill for the land
Turn forever hand in hand
Take it all it on your stride
It is ticking falling down
Love forever love is free
Let's turn forever you and me
windmill windmill for the land
Is everybody in?


Peesth Out...Buh Bye!