What a Weekend!

Interleague baseball is back.  Cue the foreboding music.  Actually, hold off on that for a minute.  It’s no secret that I’m not Interleague’s biggest fan, but that is mostly because of how it’s implemented.   The games themselves are usually fun.  I promise, I won’t bore you with another story of watching Manny and the Dodgers at Fenway.

However, speaking of the Dodgers, a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to check out our competition first hand.  I was hanging out one Saturday morning watching Friday’s episode of Intentional Talk on the DVR, and they mention that Bryce Harper is going to be making his MLB debut against the Dodgers on Saturday.  I say to myself, “That’s today.”  I look up the game, it’s at home and Strasburg is pitching.  I call out to Joe in the next room and say, “Hey, do you want to go to the Dodger game today?”  Ten minutes later, we’re printing out our tickets.

A few hours later, we’re sitting in our seats taking in the view.

View from our seats at Dodger Stadium

Interesting side note, Dodger Stadium is celebrating its 50^th Anniversary this year.  An impressive accomplishment, which is not getting a lot of attention, perhaps it’s being overshadowed by Fenway turning 100.  Regardless, since I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it out to Fenway this season, I figure, at least I can say I was at Dodger Stadium in its 50^th year.  That’s half as good, right?

Seriously though, it really is a beautiful place.  If you haven’t been to a Dodger game, I suggest you put it on your list.  Even if you don’t like baseball, you cannot beat the view.  There is nothing quite like sunset at Chavez Ravine.  Here is photographic proof.

Isn’t that pretty

Back to the reason why we went to the game in the first place, to see these two guys.

Harper on deck

Bryce Harper’s first Major League at Bat 

Strasburg on the mound facing Andre Ethier

I watched Strasburg’s first major league game on TV and he was incredible.  He was equally impressive in person.  It will be interesting to see how he fares against our lineup.  Would it be too much to ask to have Papi take him deep?  Strasburg will also get a start or two, maybe even three, if the Nationals want to get creative with off days, against our AL East brethren.  It goes without saying we’ll be rooting for Stephen on those occasions.

Harper also shined that night getting his first major league hit and RBI.  I’m sure he will be able to scatter a hit or two against us, but I’m more interested to see how he manages Fenway’s outfield.  I’m hoping they’ll put him in left, and we’ll get to see how the kid handles the wall.

The flashbulbs will certainly be popping tonight, but, what we can’t afford to lose sight of, in all the excitement of Interleague play, is that the Sox are within striking distance.  We’re one game above .500 and only 3 games out of first.

We also have Dice-K returning on Saturday.  Okay, now you can hit the music.  Da da da duh.  Da da da duhhhhh.  Don’t get me wrong Dice, I’ll be rooting for you, but I don’t see any reason to think positively.  In my opinion, the second Bard’s confidence is back, he’ll be back.   Feel free to prove me wrong.  The best thing that could happen to the Red Sox right now would be to have too many solid starting pitchers.  That is a problem that we would gladly welcome.

Also, if Matsuzaka can pitch even remotely well, he may be able to prevent the seemingly inevitable trade of Kevin Youkilis.  Even I must admit that this might be the best and only option for the Sox as the trade deadline approaches, but, you know what, I don’t want to think about that right now.  Instead, let’s focus simply on what should be a great weekend of baseball, not to mention, a great weekend in sports.

In addition to Sox vs. Nats, we’ve got the Celtics in Game 7 against the Heat.  Who knew he had it in him?  What a performance last night from LeBron James in a must win situation, not just for his team, but also for himself.  He single handedly staved off elimination and humiliation.  The Celtics certainly won’t be able to bank on the Heat choking.  They are going to have to step up their game, and, with their backs against the wall, I think the will.  Win or lose, it should, at least, be more exciting than last night’s drubbing.

Also, we have the Kings one win away from hoisting the Stanley Cup for the first time.  With the Bruins out and me not being a huge hockey fan to begin with, I’m pretty excited to jump on the Kings bandwagon.  They haven’t lost on the road yet in these playoffs, and all the pressure is back on the Devils to keep this going.  Red Sox fans don’t fear the Devils are not going to pull off a down 0-3 comeback.  The Kings are going to wrap this up in Jersey.

Assuming the Kings do eventually win and the city survives the ensuing riot, I’ll be back next week to discuss everything from this weekend.  Maybe I’ll throw in a little about The French Open or the Belmont Stakes.  Unfortunately, the bid for the Triple Crown is no more, it’s a shame, but that might have just been too much to ask for, too much excitement for a weekend that is bursting with it already.

Just in case you’re keeping track, here are where my loyalties lie for this weekend.

Go Celtics!

Go Kings Go!

Go Sharapova!  (She’s looking to complete her career Grand Slam.)

And, of course, Go Sox!