PICASNER'S RANTS

***HE'S GOT A NO-HITTER GOING***
It used to be that not even the announcers would dare to use the word "no-hitter" while one was in progress. I can understand not mentioning it in the dugout, not because of any jinx, but to keep the pitcher throwing his normal game and not getting too careful. As far as the announcers go, who cares? BUT...do we have to start hearing about in the fifth inning? I was almost hoping someone would get a hit, just because I was tired of the countdown ("He still has 12 outs to go, Michael.")

***WHO LISTENS?***
I've commented in the past that these broadcasters talk without thinking, now they're not even listening to each other. Burnett throws a pitch the batter swings and misses and Cone says, "Just a beautiful off-speed curve." During the replay, Cone says, "You can see the batter was way ahead if it." All true, and if you watch baseball enough, you begin to recognize that a curve generally has a big, long, slow break, whereas a slider is basically a fast curve: small, sharp, sudden break. Flaherty, who should know better, immediately says, "...or a slider." Go back to sleep, Flash.

***BECKETT IS STUNNED?***
Why? The guy was a total jerk. He had enough time to throw the ball anywhere he wanted, he CHOSE to throw it at Abreu. Then he had the nerve to advance toward the plate mouthing off. Where's Don Zimmer when you need him? Word is the Angels were mostly upset that Joe West just picked on the Angels, telling them to get off the field and throwing 2 Angels out, but leaving Beckett in. The real culprit here, and a few columnists agree, is Joe West. He totally mishandled the situation.

***THANK THE LORD FOR THE WBC***
Just as Terry Francona feared, Diasuke Matsuzaka now has a "Tired Arm." Diasuke has even admitted that he got it in the tournament. Picasner is no fan of Boston, but this is definitely not right.

***OUTFIELDERS ARE IN TROUBLE***
The Yanks Brett Gardner, who last year was just slapping at the ball, hit one over the head of Carl Crawford and then hit one over BJ Upton, two of baseball's fastest players. Let's see how they line up today.

***THE YANKS OUTFIELD LOG-JAM UPDATE***
There may be some relief in sight. Rumors are getting stronger that Cabrera may be headed to the White Sox for the right offer, and Xavier Nady may be on the way to the DL with a sore elbow. Of course, that may put Matsui in the field soon. Hope his knees are okay.