THE SEEKER

Barry Zito and Pedro Martinez meet up tonight at 5:00pm PST to decide the ALDS series between Boston and the A’s.

Yah, like anyone here thought that would be written on Thursday.

Yet, here the A’s are not with the backs against the wall, more like their noses in the corner. The A’s players have no one but themselves to blame for their misfortunes. Oh, and their manager.

Why Ken Macha insists that his match ups point to Ricardo Rincon as a benefit is a mystery.

Why bring in Foulke in the 8th? Why not Bradford or Harville in case the game goes into extra innings?

Some were asking why the hell John Halama was on the roster if he’s going to be Mike Neuing it up out in the bullpen, just soaking it all in. Well, Halama is not shadowing Zito. He’ll be the first one called on (unless Tim Hudson finds an atomic balm that works) or Zito can pitch 7 innings of less than 2 run ball on three days rest.

Let’s leave the base running hi jinx aside until after tonight. It’s just too much to think about.

Yes, it was all jacked up and we think Byrnes is getting a raw deal as people claim he ‘shoved’ Jason Varitek. Please, if you saw a catcher running right at you after a play at the plate, what would you do? It’s the same play Varitek used to get Long the other night.

Digression.

Prediction.

Heart says A’s.

Brain says Red Sox.

Then again, the heart said that last year. And the year before that. And the year before that

At least the brain is coming around.

We truly expected a Lilly blowout in Game 3 which made the loss easier to take, but gut wrenching to watch. His mechanics were not fluid and he somehow was able to get pitches past a punch drunk Boston team for seven innings. It was amazing. The problem is, Ted Lilly would blow out his elbow in two months if he keeps pitching like he was whipping the ball to the plate (no follow through - almost like he's bending over instead of using his trunk).

Boston was most likely caught off guard by Lilly's new delivery and it kept them at bay.

Though, it was a weird night.

If the Green Monster collapsed, there may not have been a soul watching who would say, "hey that's unusual."

We've been getting a lot more support than usual with our Ted Lilly observations, though we can't say from whom or what theam the work for...damn.

Like we've said a billion times, we'd be big Ted Lilly fans if he listened to Rick Peterson and wasn't such a stubborn JACKASS. He's the classic million dollar talent with a five cent head. Which is a shame. That's what gets us in the end, the wasted talent.