Defeat the Empire

When Matt Clement pitches, the Red Sox score alot of runs. It's that simple.

Baseball prospectus did a study on the "luckiest" pitches in baseball this year. Cliff Lee of Cleveland, who is 14-4 with a 3.90 ERA, was first. Clement was second.

Clement did pitch very well yesterday, however, going eight innings and giving up just four runs in winning his thirteenth game. But, it should be noted that Clement was actually a better pitcher last year with Chicago, when he only went 9-13.

Clement probably is the Red Sox ace at this point, considering that they always win with him on the mound. My postseason rotation would be Clement, David Wells, Tim Wakefield, and Bronson Arroyo. (Sorry, Curt, but you suck.) Schilling and Papelbon can contribute in the bullpen come the postseason.

Clement needs one more win to match a career-high 14, which he posted in 2003 with Chicago. Clement also won 13 games with San Diego in 2000, but also lost 17 games that year.

Today's Schedule

Mets (Seo, 6-1, 1.86) @ Marlins (Burnett, 12-8, 3.07)

Willie Randolph brought in Shingo friggin' Takatsu with the bases loaded against Miguel Cabrera, and Takatsu gave up a 3-run double. Big surprise, huh? Same old Mets.

Orioles (Lopez, 13-8, 4.85) @ Red Sox (Wells, 11-6, 4.44)

David Wells returns from his 6-game suspension against Baltimore. Hell, he's been the Red Sox best pitcher since mid-May or so, and goes for win No. 12 today.

Yankees (Chacon, 4-9, 3.72) @ Athletics (Zito, 12-10, 3.37)

Remember when the Yankees started 11-19? Well, the 19th loss of that stretch came against Oakland in extra innings, a game which Barry Zito started. Zito goes again for the A's, as they try to revenge the Yanks for Aaron Small's shutout yesterday. Shawn Chacon, who was shelled at Seattle in his last start, goes for the Yanks.