Pre-Weekend Update

Well it looks like the Celtics have an opportunity to give Cleveland its first home loss this season. Based on the way they've been playing, their chances don't look that great. However, it's Friday and I'm feeling optimistic. Celtics by 5.

I'm going to this place called Styx tonight, right near Bar 33 in the Back Bay area. It's Anne's birthday. Happy birthday Anne! There is a zero percent chance I'm staying sober tonight because with drinking, "I can't stop once I've started, it stings!" All you Dumb & Dumber enthusiasts will understand the reference.

Tomorrow is my cousin Cynthia's wedding. Congrats Cynthia and Irvin! Wedding is in the afternoon over at Park Plaza, followed by a Chinatown banquet. I graciously agreed to usher people to their dinner tables at the wedding reception, with the stipulation being that I am allowed to drink before, during, and after doing so. Wow, my liver is pretty annoyed with me right now.

What do people think about the NFL playoff games this week? Here are my picks to win:

• Baltimore (their defense is too nasty)
• Pittsburgh (they are well rested and playing at home in the cold weather)
• Carolina (DeAngelo Williams cannot be stopped)
• NY Giants (as much as I hate Eli and the Giants, this is a complete mismatch with Jacobs in the lineup)

Finally, in response to Amit's comment: I'm glad we didn't give up Coco for nothing. We got a solid relief pitcher in return. Plus, Coco would've been unhappy all season being the 4th outfielder and we don't need that type of distraction. With the Baldelli signing, he's fully committed to being a 4th outfielder and it looks like they've been able to diagnose his condition correctly so it can be treated well enough to be available regularly. As far as David Ortiz is concerned, he isn't fading. Up until last year when he got injured and played only 109 games, Ortiz' on base percentage and OPS were increasing every year since he became a member of the Red Sox. Minus last year's aberration, his power numbers may have seemed to be declining, but that's not really the case unless you are looking specifically at homeruns. Look at his total count of extra base hits each year since he joined the team:

• 2003: 72
• 2004: 91
• 2005: 88
• 2006: 85
• 2007: 86

Not counting last year, he's been averaging 84.4 extra base hits per year. Based on the above numbers, it doesn't seem like a regression. It seems like a pretty steady level of production. And remember, during all of those years listed above, Ortiz' OBP and OPS increased each year (again, not including last year's injury plagued season).

My conclusion: Even without Manny, Ortiz will still put up big numbers. It'll probably be a little less than before since he doesn't have the same protection now, but he's still gonna be very effective. Whoever is batting cleanup this year is going to see a ton of hittable pitches.

Have a nice weekend, bitches!

Update (6:30PM): We also just re-signed Mark Kotsay so that's depth at first base and more depth for the outfield.