CUBS AND GIANTS AND THE EVIL THAT IS L.A.

The Giants, with Jason Schmidt's nearly flawless 1-hitter, resisted the Red Sox's efforts to take this 3-game series. Against Schmidt, the Sox didn't come close to scoring, while a very exciting 7th-inning Grand Slam by Edgardo Alfonzo put 4 on the board and won them the game.

I haven't known for whom to root in the contest between the Athletics and the Cubs since I'm so fond of each team. So I'd be happy if the Cubs took the series (which they did) or the As took it.

Tomorrow, things get very interesting here in San Francisco. Our dastardly nemeses from the southern part of the state come to town to test Giants mettle for a 4-game series. In my gut, I don't think the Giants are strong enough to defeat the monster: lackluster starter Rueter starts in game 1, which means LA is going to force us early to tap relief pitchers, potentially exhausting the pitching staff by game 4), but I've been wrong before (like, often). Today's Giants win over the Sox may be just the psychological edge they need to win tomorrow, particularly if their offense makes up for Rueter's weaknesses and the Yankees (boo!) can demoralize L.A. later today.

Bring it, you SoCal bitches!