2009 Homerun Derby Tonight

Well the HR derby is once again upon us, and yet I don't think I could care less. It is damn obvious the AL doesn't give a shit. I mean look who is in it for them...

Nelson Cruz
Carlos Pena
Joe Mauer
Brandon Inge

I mean what a fucking joke. I will probably still watch, but I have to say the HR derby bothers me. First off the baseballs are so juiced it's crazy. It looks like a superball coming off the bat, but enough of my hating lets get to my picks.

The NL squad is...

Prince Fielder
Adrian Gonzalez
Ryan Howard
Albert Pujols

At least the NL put their best players out there. Pujols is obviously the favorite, then Howard, but I am going to have to pick Pena. The guy hits bombs, and I just think he will be all jacked up about being in the event. Call me crazy, but that's my pick (it doesn't hurt he is on my fantasy team).

BMack's Pick: Carlos Pena

Red Sox 3 Rangers 6

Well I guess we found out what happens if Dice-K throw strike. Dice-K let up 10 hits 5 runs over 5 2/3 innings, but had 0 walks. So far Dice-k really hasn't pitched a good game this season, and with so many pitchers looking for a spot in the rotation (Smoltz, Buchholz, Bowden) you have to wonder how long the Sox are going to wait for this guy to pick up his game.

Michael Young got the Rangers off to a fast start with a solo homer off Daisuke Matsuzaka in the first inning. Cruz led a 12-hit attack with a double, triple and home run, helping the Rangers beat the Sox 6-3 on Sunday and bounce back from Lester's 6 1/3 innings of perfect pitching.

Dice-K being mediocre was not the Sox only problem. Once again this offense was painfully slow. Boston only put 4 hits on the board all game. Ortiz continue to struggle, even though he did have a hit in this game, he was immediately thrown out on a botched hit and run play.

The only real highlights in this game for the Sox were Ellsbury awesome running catch in CF (which then he had to leave with a shoulder prain), and Kotsay's HR. The loss takes the Sox out of first place in the AL East, as the Yankees are now 1/2 game up.