7-7, Chart

Jeff, you can even make a bad game easier to stomach when you add that personal touch to the win expectancy charts.

I think I like Byrnes’s swing for the same reason you hate it

back in it with us".

Bottomline, we knew this was going to be a four team race and we needed to stay in there while Cliff nursed his injury.

We’ve done a good job so far.

From Shannon Drayer:

As for the skipper, his spirits were lifted as he watched Cliff Lee throw his first bullpen since injuring his abdominal muscle. He threw 25 pitches and reported that he felt great. He started the pen slowly, deliberately. After throwing two pitches he stepped off the rubber and stretched a little bit. He then got back up and continued to throw both fastballs and breaking balls. The plan is to throw pens on Sunday and Wednesday then throw a 45 pitch simulated game on Friday. Wak said that he will need to throw two sim games before being sent out on a rehab assignment. Realistically and safely they are looking at a first week of May return.

Then we got the whole “relieve pressure from Bradley” thing going on which is forcing Lopez to hit fourth.

Doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Ichiro-Figgins-Guti-Bradley-Kotchman should probably be the first five. With Lopez and the DH spot following. But is you believe in the human element of the game and guys not feeling comfortable batting in spots or you believe in not stepping on the toes of legends, then I guess Wak’s lineup makes sense

All these singles worry me, but his approach at the plate appears to be dramatically improved.

Our infield defense is seriously upgraded over last year, even taking into account the loss of Beltre.

3 games ago, his OPS was under .700

Let’s not declare him a superstar slugger just yet.