Wakefield

A real pleasure watching Wakefield work tonight -- after starting the season so well in relief, he's made the case that his previous, disastrous start was just an anomaly.

I was surprised to see Francona pull him out of the game just now, after 7-2/3 innings with only 75 pitches. It looked like he was capable of a complete game. But with one run in for the Cubs, and one man on, I suspect that Francona wanted to optimize Wakefield's chances of chalking up another win.

And despite Bard's recent off-night, it is a great move to follow up Wakefield with Bard. After seeing 65 mph knuckleballs all night, imagine what it is like to suddenly be confronted with a 97 mph fastball.