81 and running

Dice-K's thrown 81 pitches in just four innings.

If he doesn't reach 100 it'll be a mathematical wonder (or an early night). If he does, it'll be his third straight start with 100-plus pitches, the most on the staff. Wakefield's got two of them to his name already, but Jon Lester's staying in the 90s and so it Clay Buchholz. Beckett threw 105

Take it for what it's worth but against the Yankees April 13, Dice-K threw 116 pitches in just five innings.

Keep in mind that as I'm typing this, the Rangers' Luis Mendoza is the pitcher getting the long talk from his manager with Ryan Wolfe warming up. And he just gave up a RBI double off the Wall to Jason Varitek.

So, you know, let it ride.