Completely irrational, but I can't wait.

Linked:

AP: Red Sox to give Papelbon a start

This should be good.

I want to see more Manny out of the pen, though. I don't see why he wasn't used tonight (instead of Bradford) with a 4 run lead.

I think I'll get up at 4 am for this one.

Anyone have an ETA on the other Jon? Is there a possibility of a September call-up for Lester?

I thought he'd be in the previous night to pitch the 9th with a 5 run lead.

Sweet! Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day, if nothing else. One of the most highly anticipated days of the season to this point.

Anyone have an ETA on the other Jon? Is there a possibility of a September call-up for Lester?

I dunno, it doesn't seem likely. The 40-man is pretty crowded.

I'm excited.

Who came off the 40 man? Now that Mendoza was readded, and with Cruz, I count 41 names . . . ?

Lester has missed a couple starts to work with the pitching coaches on refining his breaking stuff. I wouldn't expect to see Lester before next June/July or so, probably.

Very exciting with Papelbon.

Quick MLE ERA for him is 4.06. I'm a little worried about his HR tendencies, but I think it's not too crazy to think he might be ready for the majors. After the way Arroyo and Wells have handled the Twins by pounding the zone, I'm optimistic.

(I've also almost certainly jinxed the crap out of him)

Mendoza was DFAed again.

well, the 7 Ks were exciting, but 5 BBs and 2 HRs...the Hr tendency was there Mikael...we'll see I guess

The HRs were b/c he couldn't locate his off-speed stuff, it appears. He went through the lineup throwing just 3-4 non FBs, and two of them were really bad (the first missed by a good deal, the second hit the batter). He threw only a few curves and his slider didn't seem to find the plate in the first 3 or so innings.

He pitched with intelligence, though. The second time through the lineup he started both batters with a non FB. Got Stewart really out in front. But, by the time Morneau came up, people were just sitting on the FB. The second HR, off a bad slide that didn't slide, looked like a batting practice FB from my vantage point (section 24). He looked really upset after Kapler caught what would have been a grandslam at the wall, too. He was clearly pretty nervous.

All in all, I was pretty happy and thought he was handeled appropriately.

I don't agree with Mikael about there being a concern about Papelbon's HR rate. Last year he gave up practically none. This year he gave up 5 in 25 innings and then settled down to give up 6 more over the next 85. That adds up to a pretty average HR rate, to go with excellent H, BB, and K rates.

Pap's performance was so fun to watch then fell apart shockingly fast. Good thing Terry was on top of things and sent him out for the 6th, so that Pap could put some runners on before handing it over to Delcarmen. Good thing Delcarment had 4 days off between appearances and then was thrust into a tie game with runners on. Good thing he didn't pitch in any of the last 2 games where we had 4 and 5 run leads.

With Francona, it's nothing but good things.

Oh, and nice of the Angels to hand the Yanks two straight games.

francona isn't so good at bullpenning is he?

"bullpenning is hard..." (/Ferrell)

The Sox pitching staff currently includes -

Clement
Wells
Arroyo
Wakefield
Miller
Papelbon
Schilling
Timlin
Myers
Bradford
Delcarmen
Gonzales

If Miller and Clement are healthy, they better keep Little Papi on the big club. Papelbon's fastball would probably immediately be the best pitch in the bullpen. In 1-3 inning bursts, he could rely much more heavily on the fastball.

I'm pretty skeptical that Miller's "shoulder twinge" is a minor thing, and I think the situation will sort itself out pretty easily.

Mikael, little Papi is a lot better than Pap, as Pap just asks for pap smear comments.

I agree with Mikael. Assuming Miller's healthy enough to pitch, Papelbon as a set up man (dare I dream closer?) would be nice. He certainly looked to have the fastball for it and hopefully the other stuff will come.

If there's any guy coming out of the minors ready to close, I would think it's a 24-year-old who closed for a top program in college. (NOTE: I AM NOT ADVOCATING THE IDIOTIC MOVE OF PUTTING HIM IN SUPER HIGH PRESSURE SITUATIONS BY THE 2ND TIME HE APPEARS IN THE MAJORS. ONLY AN IDIOT WOULD DO THAT.)

Mikael, little Papi is a lot better than Pap, as Pap just asks for pap smear comments.

I think his name is Portugese for "good paper".

How about "Charmin"? He cleans up ####.

Help is on the way!!

El Guapo pitched a perfect inning in the GCL tonight.

I forgot to mention:

On the way out of Fenway after Sunday's game, scalpers were buying back used ticket stubs.

I guess we're not the only ones who think Papelbon could amount to something.