Pitching for his Red Sox life

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

Game 6 of the ALCS goes tonight (we're guessing Hazel is going to TIVO the Maple Leafs v Hawks tonight and opt to head over to Fenway tonight and bring her good karma to the Sox) and, from our perspective, it is the most interesting game of the series.

Curt Schilling is pitching for his Red Sox life tonight - a sub-par performance resulting in a loss would almost certainly result in the Sox taking a pass on Schilling next year. Sox fans are well aware of the drama between Schilling and the team earlier in the year, when he was fairly outspoken about Sox management not offering him a contract extension as he entered the last year of his contract. How fitting is it that he is pitching for his life with the Sox in a game that he claims to be born to pitch?

Schilling, outside of his one-hitter earlier in the year, has been for the most part a decent pitcher, but has hardly been the dominant pitcher he was in 2004. Schilling is saying all the right things as he heads into the biggest game of his career with the Sox, "if he pitches the way he is capable the Sox have a good chance to win." Is Schilling talking about the way he pitched in 2004? He can't be talking about this year...can he?

Yes, we said it, tonight is THE BIGGEST game of his career. Schilling has to know that if he lays an egg tonight, he won't be back with Boston next year - not at a "bargain" price of $13M per season. Tonight's game will be part of Schilling's legacy in Boston - ya the bloody sock game will go down in Red Sox history, but a loss tonight will be remembered as another blown opportunity. To borrow a tired old saying, we think Schilling's mouth is writing cheques his body can't cash.

Tonight's game will be compelling, not because the Sox are playing for their playoff lives, but because Schilling is pitching for his place on the 2008 Boston Red Sox.


FRIDAY'S THREE STARS
Who cares what happened last night? We're going back to Thursday night for three big performances.

Toronto Maple Leafs G Vesa Toskala stopped 26 of 28 shots and held the Leafs in the game when they were down 2-0 to come back and beat the Florida Panthers by a count of 3-2. Leaf Nation's former whipping boy, Nik Antropov, scored his sixth goal of the season, including the game winner with 30 seconds left in the game.

Boston Red Sox P Josh Beckett solidified his reputation as one of the best, if not THE best, playoff pitchers of his generation. Beckett pitched eight great innings against Cleveland, giving up five hits and a walk while striking out eleven. Curt who?


SATURDAY THREE PLAY
Sorry gang, we've been fighting the man-cold of all man-colds this week. The total for the week stands at - $110, it Saturday night hockey, so you know we'll get it all back tonight. Suggestions for tonight.

Toronto over Chicago - the Leafs have been better of late and they face a Blackhawks team that played last night. Word is that Chicago will be going with their backup goalie tonight. Add that with speculation that Hazel will TIVO her Leafs tonight and they won't want to let her down and you've got a Toronto win. Lay $100 on the Leafs - $200.

New York over Boston - no Hazel Karma at the TD Banknorth Garden tonight. The Bruins are off to a decent start this season, but they won't be in for a good time tonight with the Rangers who have too much offensive firepower for the B's. Lay $100 on the Rangers - $120.

Ottawa over Florida - ugh, a pick on the Tards. We hate picking an Ottawa win, but if we are going to suggest a winning play for - this is about as good as it gets. Lay $100 on the Tards - $220.

Detroit over Phoenix - the Red Wings don't let too many points slip away against bad teams - and the Coyotes are REALLY bad....Boston Bruins bad. Lay $100 on the Wings - $200.

Calgary over Edmonton - a battle for provincial bragging rights tonight. The Oilers are going into this one undermanned tonight, so expect the Flames to take full advantage and pound their hated rivals. Lay $100 on the Flames - $230.

might as well go for a six pack tonight - bonus pick

San Jose over Nashville - the Sharks are off our shitlist, if only for tonight. San Jose has laid a couple of eggs this year, so they won't be taking the Preds lightly tonight. Lay $100 on the Sharks - $220.

We'll be back later to post our NFL picks for Week 7.

That's it for today gang - thanks for taking the time to check in. Have a great one peeps.

Hazel, we hope things are groovy in your world - enjoy game six tonight.

We're Out!