Game 1 observations

Went out to watch last night's game. Did not hear any commentary, other than SportsCenter this morning.

• Manny, Manny, Manny -- Okay this is all officially out of control. Is anyone else having flashbacks to Nomar sitting out an important Yankee game in 2004? We all know how that ended. Dan Shaughnessy wrote a big time piece ( http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/07/26/now_hes_a_guaranteed_out/ in the Boston Globe today calling for Manny's exit. Manny says his knee is hurt and can't play after being in the original line up. Francona, Epstein, Henry all were / are dumbfounded. This will be the topic of discussion all morning on WEEI.

• Joba is filthy -- 98 mph fastball with a wicked (Boston accent please) slider -- very impressive. Personally, he was not trying to hit Youk. 2-0 count in a one run game. BTW, did anyone catch him singing a Luther Vandross hit on the ESPYs telecast last weekend? He sounded pretty good.

• Terry's Take -- Lowrie leads off the eighth with a single. Next three due up are Varitek, Crisp and Ellsbury. Farnsworth in the game, Mariano warming up. Hindsight is 20/20 but still was anyone else thinking of having Varitek sacrifice and giving Crisp and Ellsbury a chance to drive in the tying run? I mentioned early that the Sox were bunting more. I know you don't like to give up an out but sometimes you must scratch for a run.

• The Giambi Shift -- I guess if you are going to do it, you do it. The logic is that based on the "spray" charts, Giambi hits more balls to second base side of the field. However, Lowell would have been playing the shortstop position if there was no runner on third (or second for that matter). The runner at third scored the winning run but also was the cause for the winning hit. So much for advanced scouting

• McCarver's Musings -- Can't wait to hear the stupidity today.