I've frantically been searching for an article breaking down which of the teams in the CS a Red Sox fan should support, but essentially the conclusion is the Phillies or the Angels.
While we're on the topic of the Phillies; the Red Sox sign John Smoltz and get a pale replica of the once great pitcher. The Phillies sign Pedro and get 7 innings of 1 hit pitching. Against an almost equally flawless Vincente Padilla. Yes, the Vincente Padilla who was tossed from both the Phillies and earlier this year the Rangers.
The discussion of the level of play between the NL and the AL has been going on for years, nay decades, but take a look at Smoltz and Padilla:
Smoltz:
BOS (AL): 40.0 IP, 59 Hits, 8 HR, 9 BB, 8.32 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, .343 BA against
STL (NL): 38.0 IP, 36 Hits, 3 HR, 9 BB, 4.26 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, .248 BA against
Padilla:
TEX (AL): 108.0 IP, 4.91 K/9 ip, 4.92 ERA, .286 BA
LAD (NL): 39.1 IP, 8.69 K/9 ip, 3.20 ERA, .252 BA
This is not just a question of an improvement due to change of scenery. The NL is bordering on being Quadruple-A.
As for Pedey, last night was a superb display from a pitcher who has realised age has caught up with him and has had to change game plans. The frustration among the Dodger hitters was palatable, as Martinez "pounded" the strike zone with pitches varying from 65 to 91 mph. Even his curve varied by as much as 8 mph.
So, with the CS analysis out of the way, what's next? Seeing if the 49ers can get some use out of Crabtree after his less than brilliant plan of holding out? Watching Liverpool, with more losses through the first half of October than the entire 2008 season, to see if they can finally win the Premiership (I'm not holding my breath...)
Or simply a slight pause from sports?
Nah, didn't buy that myself.
Although my life will probably be a little bit more balanced as I actually finished the Royal Parks Half Marathon last weekend. (In 2h16mins, not as fast as I wanted, but as it was my first 13.1 race, I'll take it).
Here's to an interesting off-season.
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