GM: Polanco not out for year

If I were in his shoes and tired of answering the same question over and over, that's exactly the kind of response I'd give. But that's me. I obviously don't know Polly personally, so can only guess if that's the case.

Or.......it was a clever ruse to draw attention away from the skipper's much maligned game moves. :-)

It will be good to see him play again. The downside is the game shape "learning" curve though.

I am more than a little worried about Guillen and cringe every time he needs to stretch that hammy out. I know we have Santiago as an excellent defensive replacement but the way things look I can see Leyland going with (gasp!) Perez.

We get a lefty tomorrow--wonder if we will see Shelton. With Casey swinging the bat again Leyland may not go with him. He could DH him and play Monroe in CF and Thames in LF--doubt we will see him sacrifice the defense that much though.

I like Shelton and he is gonna help somewhere but if Casey continues to hit well I don't see Leyland changing things up at first base.

Pour it on with the rightys.After they shell the starter you could start salting in some lefties.
Today's official lineup is:

Inge 3B

Rodriguez C

Shelton 1B

Ordonez DH

Guillen SS

Monroe CF

Thames LF

Infante 2B

Clevlen RF

Jason, Thanks for the prompt update. Can sense the personal urgency you feel concerning Placido's health and return. Hope he can fully recover whether or not he plays this year.

Marty--I like your lineup. Only change I would make would be to swap Monroe and Clevlen defensively. One thing you can count though--Jim won't be using the same lineup.

I hope Monroe and Ordonez can start pounding the ball like they can.

No way he'd hit Shelton third. I don't think he'll even play. If JL is waiting for Chris to get up in his face and demand to play, well, that's just not going to happen.

I'm finally going to agree to move Grandy from leadoff. He's getting all his hits to the pull field and that eliminates a lot of his weapons. I want him in there for defense, but hitting ninth, with Inge up top like you have. I think Brandon can get better at bats, although that checked swing thing he does drives me bananas. I don't wanna see that bat unless you plan to use it, boy. :-)

Tonights game, IMHO, would break the Sox's backs.

While still mathematically in it, the odds would be long. This would almost certainly make the Tigers a long shot to NOT make the playoffs, either as division winner, or wild card.

Based on that, this would have to be the most important game of the year so far, for the Sox. And, quite possibly, for the Tigers.

I guess we can't win every game. The last one was tough one to swallow though. You want tos see the team (and individuals) get rewarded for scrappy determination and clutch play. It just doesn't always work that way.
As far as Chicago is concerned:

3 games we need to be in a positio to win all three. Get out of town with 2 and be less than happy with 1. Getting swept is out of the question. (Isn't it?)

It's gonna be tough but I am going to miss all 3 games. But at least i'll be able to catch the first 35-40 minutes tonight and tomorrow.