Nurse the Hate: Hate the Cooler Part 2

In a tremendous come from ahead loss, the Red Sox bullpen flamed out last night for the first time since 2006 and The Cooler took his tenth (10th) loss in a row. When the Red Sox are up four runs going into the 8th, they NEVER lose. The good news is that trade deadline acquisition Eric Gagne went out on the mound with a 55 gallon drum of gasoline strapped to his back and set the whole goddamn diamond on fire. Then Hideki Okajima came out and gave up a double to Roberts and a single to Markakis. Ball game. Thanks for coming. Yes my friends, the Iceman resides right here.

I could bet blindly on Pakistani cricket drunk on gin and not lose 10 in a row. After being up 265% for the season, my little kitty has shrunk to 70% up. This is truly a time that tests men's souls. But like a batting slump, you'll get out of it. Take a few days off. Get back to basics. Take a winner here and there and don't swing for the fences. It has to turn sometime...right? It will, won't it?

OK, as a public service I offer you my picks today so those of you enjoying the winnings of "counter selection" on me can continue your little run. 1) Take the Indians as a home underdog today. Paul Byrd has pitched very well this year (except for a bad June) and Mike Mussina is a 6 inning pitcher that gives up a lot of hits. The Yanks bullpen is still suspect at best, and Byrd will keep the Tribe in the game. 2) Oakland with Dan Haren at +114 looks real nice. The Tigers have been awful lately (lost 12 of their last 15), and a start against Haren isn't going to help. With luck you'll hit both of these. With a split, you'll still make a few bucks.

Random Notes: My basement got flooded out, and not surprisingly the insurance company doesn't want to cover it. Why is it that anytime you try to collect on insurance, they immediately go to the "I don't think that's covered" card? Has anyone ever called an insurance agent and had them say, "Don't worry, we're on it. We'll make sure and take care of you immediately."? I gotta start one of these little rackets up myself...After attending last night's Indians V Yankees game, I hate Yankee fans as much as always. Why does every Yankee fan have a two day beard, severely gelled hair, wear a jersey, and refer to the Yankees history as "we" won this, or "we" won that? In the glory days of the late 1990s, I don't remember seeing too many Goomba's with beer guts running around in centerfield making plays. I remember Jeter getting clutch hits, but not so much Vinnie Macaroni from Elyria with his 16 oz can of Miller Lite. If you're not from NY, rooting for the Yankees is weak. Take your lumps with the rest of us.