Stealing For The Cycle

In the wake of not being selected by AL manager Ozzie Guillen for next week's All-Star game, Carl Crawford mentioned to reporters that he's using his All-Star snub as motivation.

And the Red Sox are paying the price.

Crawford is now hitting .325, with 12 homers, 45 RBIs and 32 stolen bases, and as always, provides Gold Glove-caliber defense in left field. Last night, he stole for the "cycle" (stealing 2nd, 3rd and home) when he took advantage of Jason Johnson's use of a full windup when Crawford was on 3rd base in the 4th inning.

Stealing home is one of those rare plays that make baseball an exciting sport. Few players have the speed to do so, and even fewer players have the confidence to try it. As Dennis Maffezzoli of the Herald Tribune points out, Crawford swiping home was in the works for days.

The Empire Strikes Back

After getting trounced by the Tribe on the nation's birthday (Big Stein's birthday as well), the Yankees used an 8-run 4th inning to secure an 11-3 win the following night.

How costly the win was is yet to be seen, as Johnny Damon left the game early on with an oblique injury. The Yankees could be looking at having another veteran outfielder on the DL, and that would most certainly escalate any trade talks they've been having. They cannot spend July with an outfield of Melky Cabrera-Bubba Crosby-Bernie Williams, can they?

Thursday Night's Marquee Matchup

The Red Sox send knuckleballer Tim Wakefield to the mound with the hope that they scrounge at least one win out of their miserable 4 days in Tampa, Florida. Obviously the key will be to keep Carl Crawford off the basepaths tonight.