Mets Visit Fenway for Interleague Kickoff
Like a typical Academy Awards broadcast, Interleague Play goes on way too long and by the time it's over I usually feel bored with the whole thing. This year the Red Sox will face the Mets, the Phillies, the Marlins, the Braves, the Nationals and--again--the Braves.Who cares if the Sox play the Nationals? What's the difference between them and the Orioles or the Rangers? They're just another bad team. Six games against Atlanta is just plain stupid, unless the plan is to hype the Revenge of John Smotz angle. That is, assuming Mr. Smoltz is in the rotation by then.
1986 was a long time ago, but I guarantee we'll be bombarded this weekend with images and stories of Mookie Wilson and Bill Buchner. Ho-hum. Just tell us who won Best Picture already!
I must admit, though, I'm looking forward to this weekend's series against the Mets. It has nothing to do with exacting revenge on the team that beat the Red Sox in the World Series 23 years ago. It's all about the pitching.
Daisuke Matsuzaka returns tonight after screwing himself up at the World Baseball Classic, another event that is unnecessary and often harmful to players. Dice-K will haul his 12.79 ERA on to the mound and begin to wear it down tonight as he faces off against Johan Santana. The Mets ace has been spectacular this season, striking out 67 over 53 innings, with an ERA of 1.36.
I'm also looking forward to the battle of the bullpens. We all know how rock-solid the Red Sox 'pen is, but the Mets have J.J. Putz setting up K-Rod.
I'm excited about start of Interleague Play, but by the time it winds down in late June I'd be more interested in watching the Red Sox take on the cast of "Slumdog Millionaire."
The one aspect that I do like about interleague play is of course seeing players that one doesn't see very often. And even the Nationals have some of those. I do kind of like Ryan Zimmerman, and get to see him swing the bat only on rare occasions. I don't mind interleague play at this point. And it is definitely cool when they play the Mets. Although, with a red-hot Johan facing a Dice-K that no one expects "what to expect" (does that make sense?) from him AND he is returning so may be rusty. Well, lets just say that it doesn't look good. And I haven't seen you come by my new site yet. Come check it out. I know that some of the topics are kind of boring, but its what I like to do! Haha. But the Fire Brand site is pretty cool for Red Sox fans, which you are.
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The cast of "Slumdog." Hilarious. I agree completely about interleague. I don't even get that into it when the Yankees play the Mets. The best rivalry is Yankees-Sox and that's all there is to it!
- http://janeheller.mlblogs.com
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Steve - we will hear WAY to many '86 references! Living through it once was enough.
Julia
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