« Tonight's lineup | Main | Butterfield and assorted facts »

Feels different

I can't explain in words how totally different it feels at the ballpark today. It's as if the air has been let out of the balloon. Strange considering the opponent is Toronto, another AL East rival, but after having played them last week in Toronto it's like ho-hum.

Terry Francona discussed the issue of a letdown and dismissed it because he knows his team understands how to handle such things. They have a lot of experience with it.

"They all do mean the same thing in the standings," Francona said of every game and every series....we don't get caught up in yesterday."

In other news:

*Francona admitted there was a discussion about pitching Jon Lester this coming Wednesday and then next Monday instead of next Tuesday because Pawtucket has a day off. Francona said the PawSox were willing to shuffle their rotation but the Sox would rather give him the extra day.

*Francona indicated he probably wouldn't use Hideki Okajima out of the pen tonight. He was definitive but he indicated "most likely we wouldn't do that. Three nights in a row..it could catch up later."

*Jonathan Papelbon, 6-for-6 in save situations. Available tonight? The Sox would love to stay away from him tonight as well. We'll see what unfolds.

*Coco Crisp got another night off to rest a tight left oblique, but Francona said Crisp could have played. He will play tomorrow night. Wily Mo Pena gets the start in center field...

* Just thinking while watching Alex Cora take batting practice. How does a guy get the sterotype of being a role player rather than a starting player? Seems to me Cora could play everyday. He has the skills to do it. But everytime you mention it to a baseball type you get 'Oh no, he can't play every day.' I don't buy it.