It’s a strange game. April 10th, Wakefield and Robertson locked horns in an eighteen run, four hour marathon. I rushed home at eight o’clock last night only to see half the game gone by and the remainder finished before the second half of the Celtics’ game. Thank you for considering us bandwagon Celtics fans, Red Sox.

When it appeared Timmy wouldn’t come out to finish his gem, I was pissed. Mike Timlin would get a chance to ruin it. Then I said to myself “You know, self, this could be the straw that breaks Mike Timlin’s tenuous hold on a roster spot. If he comes in and allows a run or two, maybe he’ll finally be made Bullpen Coach, Band Leader, or Luggage Porter.” Allowing a leadoff single was a good start, but a double play erased the runner and he grooved a few until Carlos Guillen flied out. He will live to see another lead blown, inherited runner scored, and bambi quiver in terror.

So it turns out David Ortiz is still awesome. Glad that’s decided. Over his last 18 games, his OPS is .942 and he’s driven in 24 runs.

Bullpen Clusterf*ck Resolved?

Denver Post: Rockies (Still) Want Tavarez

Who to target?

With a physique that makes Jeremy Brown look like Charles Atlas, the 5′9″ 225 pound Edwin Bellorin should be available. He’s spending his third year at AAA and has Yorvit Torrealba and Chris Iannetta above him on the depth chart. Did I mention he could be mistaken for the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man?

Why would I advocate acquiring such a specimen? After struggling for six years in the Dodgers’ system, he’s been reborn in Colorado Springs. In 221 at bats last year, he put up a .898 OPS, and it has continued into this year: .909, second on the Sky Sox to power prospect Joe Koshansky. He’s 26, so getting a little long in the tooth, but if his defense is acceptable he might be a guy to target.

I don’t subscribe to the “OMG Tek is getting old and looks really bad we need to replace him NOW NOW NOW!” stuff, and the catching depth in all levels of the minor league affiliates is sufficient, but Bellorin could make it better. If anyone knows of a reliable place in the tubes to find defensive analysis of fringe catching prospects, please, let me know. Specifically, can he catch the knuckler?

For a few thoughts on tonight’s matchup, check out: Series Preview. Ignore all that stuff I was wrong about.