Yanks Sweep/Sox Swept

Clearly this is no good. I don't know what it is about the White Sox. At first I thought it was just my imagination that Chicago always beats Boston. However, I learned today that Chicago has won six straight in Boston.

Now the Red Sox have lost four in a row, three at home. I suppose the pace Boston was on wouldn't keep up for ever. After going an AL best 19-10 in May they were bound to cool off a bit. I won't start to get too concerned unless they continue to falter over the weekend.

Yankee fans and the rest of the media are making it sound as if they're playing horribly and the season is doomed. I don't know what team they are watching. Although they've been inconsistent and not all the parts are working at the same level all the time, I would not expect the Yankees to go quietly... not by a long shot.

Peavy Coming to Chi-town - But Not the One You Think

ESPN's Peter Gammons are reporting the White Sox are close to a deal that will net the NL ace. There's no word yet what the Sox are going to give up on the deal and of course Peavy could always veto the deal with his no-trade clause.

If Peavy was smart I think he would do what he could to stay in the NL. I envision that first Josh Beckett like year of adjustment for him. It could be messy until he figures out AL lineups.

Play In Game: Yes or No?

Though it is baseball tradition, I am not a huge fan of the play in game. The Twins won 10 out of 18 games against the White Sox this season. In my opinion, the Twins should be in by virtue of this fact. It's a 162 game season, and it should be worth something. Otherwise the season could be 100 games, and we can have a result a lot sooner.

There seems to be a growing trend in sports that devalues the regular season. More games, more teams in the playoffs, the best regular season record counts for less, all of these things have contributed. The regular season should separate the very best from the mediocre. The very best go to the playoffs; the mediocre should stay home.

I am in favor of shortening the regular season and contracting the playoffs in all sports. That would make the regular season a hell of a lot more valuable and insure that the best teams get in. For example, the baseball season would be reduced to 150 games. The four best teams in each league would get in based on record only. That way a team with a 0.500 record who would normally win a weak division (it happens every year) would not get in so a more deserving team could get a chance. I have plans like this for all the major sports. My football plan will come out in December some time. There's liable to be something that will make me cranky enough to tell you about it.

Now we're down to this play in game. A game where anyone can get lucky. Baseball is supposed to be a marathon where a teams greatness is confirmed over a long period of time. The Twins proved it by beating the White Sox 10 times this season. It could all be wiped away with one bad hop or one questionable strike call.