Sports Redux: WWTFD

While Terry Francona has managed to avoid the full brunt of Red Sox fans' fury over the years - that's what winning a couple of world championships will do for you - he is not immune from the way Red Sox fans love to backseat manage. We all know that there are times at which there are at the very least two philosophies at play in Red Sox Nation: What Would Terry Francona Do (WWTFD1) and What Would the Fans Do (WWTFD2).

After Monday's rest day, tonight's game against the Rays will likely cast a spotlight on these differences. One could make a strong case that the best lineup against Matt Garza would include Mike Lowell (whose hitting streak is currently at 11 games), Victor Martinez and David Ortiz, which would leave Jason Varitek on the bench. One would have to note, however, that Tito electing to go with this lineup would go against his philosophy of showing unwavering loyalty to veterans. The WWTFD1 approach would feature Lowell, Tek and Papi.

So this raises a question: when your team is a half game back and you're about to face Tampa Bay and then New York, which WWTFD approach is going to get the job done?

On the Pats side of things, Tom Brady spent his 32nd birthday practicing with his teammates on Monday. We've got to say it: we've been cranky with Mr. Brady over the course of the past year or so, given how he's gone all Tom Hollywood on us. So this laughing, goofy look is the best we've seen on him in a long time. You can be sure, of course, that he used SmartWater to clean up.