Game 2, Boston @ Anaheim

El Diva - It goes without saying that Game 2 is huge in a five-game series, but this is ridiculous. Petey's been worked like a tree in a dog run for about a month now, even Tampa took him for a ride. When he coughed up that "Daddy" comment my first thought was "Go Pats!" When one of your alleged aces conceeds his subservience to your most hated rival and possible LCS opponent, you just want to throw up. But he's always been a cagey little weirdo, much smarter than he comes off. So the pollyanna in me is hoping that this is just gamesmanship, that maybe he took a look at the lay of the land and decided to take a little somethng off it, his fastball, his head, everything, to save it for tonight.

El Gorgon - I've been honest about my assessment of his big game resume, he gets it done when it matters. However, his one blemish of note was against the Sox in '99... Oh, christ, that game couldn't have less to do with this one. While Martinez's ERA has been steadily climbing, El Gorgon has been putting all together. This doesn't change the fast that his ERA was over five this season and the Sox whacked him a couple of times.

Lady and Gentlemen, I give you my most shamelessly biased prediction of the first round: Advantage El Diva, Sox up 2-0.


(Man, I could be eating a big bowl shit in about three and a half hours)