Rob: Thank God we're playing the Yankees.

Kim: I love shutting out the Yankees in their own backyard:

I also love it when one of our pitchers gets to complete his game. Congratulations, Lester!

Riggs: Thanks, Jon.

Jeff Louderbeck: Boston's bullpen did not hurt the team tonight. Jon Lester wouldn't let it.

Red basically asks: How 'bout that Johan Santana trade?

Dirty Water reports from the Pour House:

...When Tampa took the lead Wednesday night suddenly the entire bar was chanting TAMPA SUCKS.

Wondering how long before the website and t-shirts appear as we have to face facts. ...

After reading Kevin Cullen's thoughts on Manny Ramirez today, it would be easy to ask why a metro columnist is writing about this rather than, oh, asking how a 7-year-old came to be shot while playing kickball or, oh, how a woman died when her car was raked by gunfire or, oh, whether police overreacted in responding to that woman with the cleaning supplies.

Easy, but incomplete. Because one also has to ask whether Cullen even reads his own paper, since the CHB wrote the same basic column on Tuesday and Bob Ryan expressed the same basic thoughts on Wednesday. Maybe Cullen was at a retreat, missed those two columns, but saw Yvonne Abraham's summation of all the questions in the Woodman case and concluded the paper had already had enough serious local opinion this week.

They could hire this guy. Needs a better cameraman, though.

Via Jay Fitzgerald.

Jimmy: If McCormick is fine with it, we should also be fine with it.

Red wonders if we're really seeing a sudden personality change or some management propaganda to set us all up for them not re-signing Manny when his contract's up.

'Course, what do they know down there in ma's basement? The Real Sports Writer, a.k.a. CHB, DEMANDS ACTION NOW; his only question is: Firing squad or hangman?

Bobb reports on a wedding he attended this past weekend that had a Red Sox theme:

... We knew something was up when we got the invitation, which was in the design of a ticket to Fenway. In fine print on the back, it urged invitees to don their best Red Sox garb. Two attendees violated the no-Yankees attire mandate. That's OK, someone made up for it by wearing a Yankees Suck T-shirt - to a wedding. (And you can mark weddings off the list of places you'd never think you'd hear that chant but did). ...

Red Sox Chick goes all medieval on your behind; she's had quite enough of Sox fans complaining about Sox fans.

Beth: You know the injury bug has hit the Sox hard when players are getting hurt between innings.

Kristen: Maybe helmets for infielders? With masks?

No. 38 posts: 3 World Series rings, 3k innings plus later, there’s a chance it's all over:

... To you fans, thank you, thank you, thank you. If it is all over, every single moment and memory I'll take away from my career comes with your involvement and support. More athletes than you know recognize this and appreciate it. The 4 years I was allowed the honor of wearing this uniform I would hope you believe I did so with honor, integrity and respect, for the game but more importantly for my manager, coaches and teammates. ...