Anyone but Timlin

I can't believe I'm saying this, but why wasn't Paul Byrd an option before Mike Timlin? Why skip over the guy who nearly had the 4th starter spot and instead choose the guy who wasn't even on the ALDS roster? Timlin used to be good, but now every time he strides out of the bullpen, Red Sox Nation mumbles a collective "oh, f&%k." Because we've seen this before, and we know the most likely result will be a swift kick in the crotch. Two walks, a sac bunt, an intentional walk, and a sac fly later, Fernando Perez scores, and the series is tied at 1-1.

I'd like to spew all kinds of vitriol over this, but no matter. We're back at Fenway with Lester taking the ball on Monday, Pedroia suddenly back on his game, and Youk looking like a playoff MVP. This is Soxtober, and this haphazard gaggle of kids and their hipster-glasses-wearing manager can't take that away just yet.

One more note--as annoying as the Tampa Bay mohawks can be, may I remind everyone of this:

Goes to show, even the Red Sox can't be perfect.