God Bless the Oakland A's

They've taken the first two games of their series with the Stinkins, allowing the Sox to maintain their 1/2-game lead in the AL East. Meanwhile, the Sox lost two of three in New York and split two games against Texas.

Today the Sox have the doubleheader they were supposed to have yesterday -- if the rain in New England is finally over. In the early game, Josh Beckett gets the ball and will try to keep it in the ballpark. Beckett's numbers (7-3, 5.27, 55K) closely resemble those of his opponent, Kevin Millwood (7-3, 4.65, 57K). The difference between the pitchers so far this season has been how often they've been victimized by the long ball. Millwood has given up 7 home runs this season, compared with the 16 moonshots yeilded by Beckett (Jon Garland of the White Sox has given up, 19, the most in baseball).

However, in eight career starts against the Sox, Millwood has given up six homers, including one to David Ortiz in the season opener April 3, which the Sox won 7-3. Beckett has had only one start in his career against Texas (April 5), and kept the ball in the park. Beckett also has managed to keep the ball within the confines of Fenway, yeilding zero homers in four starts at home this season.

The nightcap of the day-night doubleheader (what a ripoff the owners have created) will feature former Red Sox pitcher John Wasdin (0-0, 0.00) against current Red Sox pitcher David Pauley (0-1, 6.55). Wasdin is a recent call-up from the minors who pitched 2 1/3 perfect innings in relief against Chicago last week. This will be his first start of the season.

Rookie Pauley will make his Fenway debut after a ND May 31 at Toronto and a loss Tuesday to the Stinkins. He's been hit around in his two career starts to the tune of 19 hits and 8 earned runs in 11 innings pitched.

The A's send Barry Zito (6-3, 3.28) to the hill in the Bronx to try to complete a sweep of the Stinkins. He will be opposed by Shawn Chacon (4-1, 5.21).