Aside from the manageable start times for us left coasters, there is nothing to be happy about when the Sox take that 6 hour(ish) flight out of Logan. Since 2005 we have been a dismal 23-42 (thru 5/15/09) against our AL compadres from the west coast, which calculates out to a .354 winning %. So I for one am glad that our last stop out west for the 2009 season is quickly coming to an end. I don't know if the time change really affects the boys that much or what.  It seems like even when we have a lead the time has a way of catching up with us. Like Lester last night, he hit a wall in the 6th inning after a solid start. Not sure what is so different about October baseball out this way but we cant get on a roll out here until then. So whats your take, is it the time difference?

With all that said Beckett is going to throw a gem tonight against a kid making his 1st Major League start and only his 4th appearance in the bigs. Then Sunday we turn to Masterson in what is looking to be his final start in the rotation before Daisuke's return. Which I'm not too sure I agree with, Masterson does give us an extra weapon out in the bullpen but I think he is needed more in the rotation than Penny, at this time.

Now on to the large father. I for one am a firm believer that what he is going through is 95% mental. The slowing of his bat is a physical problem but it's something he can regain with some work. The mental side is going to be the hard one for him to get past. With each swing and miss or loopy fly ball he falls into a deeper hole. I understand peoples frustration and wanting him benched and what not, but he isn't going to fix anything by NOT getting his hacks in. I think that Tito needs to drop him to 6 or 7 in the lineup but keeping him out will just prolong the drought.

We just want  our smiling slugger back, get out there and have some fun big man, prank a few rookies or something, change that attitude from where youre at to where you have been in the past!