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I'm bracing myself for another sweep here, and can no longer even claim to have the largest lead in the majors, as the Cubs and Angels now both have a bigger advantage in their divisions. We first have to get through three games against the team with the best record in the majors, and don't get to throw Webb at them. And then it's off back down to Florida, to face a team against whom we scored a total of three runs as they swept us a month ago. I can, very easily, see us going 1-5. Mind you, the Dodgers face a pair of division leaders in the White Sox and Angels: so they will probably go 1-5 too.
Today is perhaps our best chance if a win, heroically though Doug Davis has pitched in his last couple of outings. Both Haren and Beckett have four quality starts in their last five outings, with very good ERAs over that time (3.00 and 2.53 respectively). But there's no question who has had the best offense over the past four weeks:
BOS: .262/.348/.453
ARI: .227/.292/.377Of course, part of this is down to the DH, but the gap between the two teams is bordering on a chasm. At least the afternoon starts [4pm AZ time] means I won't need to witness the slaughter as it unfolds. Slaughter? Hey, I'm managing my expectations, and would recommend you do the same. That way, we can be pleasantly surprised if we make a game of it...