Sunny signs for 2007

Two surprising pitching performances in the last two Red Sox games. Thursday night, almost overlooked by Big Papi's performance, Josh Beckett pitched a gem. He held Minnesota scoreless through 8, and it was the kind of performance I had been looking for since he signed. THIS was the pitcher I wanted to see all season, throwing agressively and accurately, with a "take-no-prisoners" attitude. And the game was finished by our old friend Keith Foulke. Foulkie's been pretty much out all year, yet Thursday we saw some of the 2004 magic. Maybe he can come back next year...

And last night was a shocker. Julian Tavarez, who has sucked out of the Bull Pen most of the season, pitched a complete game, 7 hits and 1 run over the Toronto Blue Jays and our old nemesis, Ted Lilly. Amazing. What was so fun was seeing him interviewed after the game. He was SO excited about how he'd pitched - clearly lobbying to be a starter next year. And you know, that might not be a bad idea....