Sports Redux: Just Another (Important) Game

We don't want to put any excessive pressure on the Bruins or anything, but today could be a pretty important day for the Black and Gold. If they win today during their showdown against the Rangers, they clinch the Eastern Conference title. Not only does it provide bragging rights and a healthy dose of confidence for the playoffs ("Playoffs? Don't talk to me about PLAYOFFS!"), they'd get home ice throughout Eastern Conference postseason play. We suppose you could say that it's kind of a big (epic, massive) deal, but we hope that the team takes on the challenge by lacing up the skates the same way they do every game and skating to victory the same way they've done 50 times this season.

If you're not psyched enough for today, add this to the picture: Tim Thomas has signed for an additional four years. That's $20 million well spent, we say.

The "just another game" mentality was well-demonstrated by the Celtics on Friday night, when they rather handily defeated the Hawks, 104-92, during play at the Garden. When all five of your starters end the night with double-figure scoring totals, you know you're looking good, especially when Kevin Garnett is still out of the picture. Admittedly, though, Atlanta did help things by not being able to find the basket if their lives depended on it. Shooting 36 percent from the floor is...well...something special.

The Red Sox Homecoming Tour is a whole lot shorter than it was last year, but it still demonstrates that having the guys from Boston in your city is sure to draw a good crowd. Not that we think Mets fans were looking for a reason to take in the game - the chance to finally check out Citi Field (otherwise known as That Park Looming Out Behind Centerfield at Shea Last Season) would have been reason enough. The Sox decided to be gracious guests at the new park, allowing the Mets to revel in 4-3 success for the night. After all, doesn't count, right?

The game was soggy, it was delayed, but it was good ol' Mets-Sox play. Jon Lester battled inconsistency during his start - five walks in four innings - but said after the game that he wasn't worried. What makes us happy is that we don't have to face new Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez often.

For those who had bets out on who was going to make that final starting rotation slot, here you go: unless something really crazy happens (yes, we turned around three times and spit after writing that), the job is Brad Penny's.

Final bit of baseball news: to all those complaining about Sox ticket prices (and we do the same things ourselves), take heart in the fact that there are now more expensive tickets in baseball.

Photo by flickr user meglet127