Pedro Martinez misses pregame introduction!

"There were rumblings, grumblings and more than a few raised eyebrows when Pedro Martinez didn't come out for pregame introductions. Some speculated it was a temper tantrum from a guy who's used to being the Game 1 go-to-guy, while others, such as Francona, said they didn't even notice."

Look, the Angels stink. Not compared to the Expos, but compared to other playoff teams.

The Angels started this guy at second base yesterday. Today, they send the most overrated pitcher in baseball, Fatty Fatso, out there against a team that scored 950 runs. (The most overrated pitcher besides Eric Milton, I should clarify.)

On deck are Kelvim Escobar and John Lackey. At Fenway.

The Red Sox don't need to worry about Pedro missing the pregame introductions in game 1; the Angels need to worry about Fatso showing up for game 2.

• The Red Sox are sending a limo to make sure he gets there on time.
  

• When he has trouble locating the strike zone, the catcher tells him to pretend his mitt is a cheeseburger.
  
• I'm not saying he's fat, but when he cut his finger the other day, gravy came out.

The only good news about the impending Red Sox ALDS romp is that Mike Scioscia can no longer bask in the glow of suspending Jose Guillen.

Just in case you mistakenly thought that the Red Sox were going to win because of hitting, pitching, fielding, running, and throwing, here's a more cogent baseball analysis:

"Exactly 18 years ago (yes, that is "18" as in "1918") the Red Sox beat the Angels 8-1 (yes, as in the last two digits of that blasted year) in Game 1 of the 1986 American League Championships Series -- the last time these two teams met in playoff action. If deja vu is a factor in the curse, then Tuesday's 9-3 victory bodes well for the afflicted.

The Red Sox went on to win the '86 ALCS with an 8-1 (here we go again with those 1's and 8's) in Game 7."