Christmas in July

If the gifts I've enjoyed this past week are any indication, I must have managed to escape the Naughty List somehow. Either that, or the elf in charge of the list is a Fish fan, and has fixed the books for me.

This week Scott Olsen pitched a gorgeous game and and was FINALLY rewarded with a win, after more than two months without one. Josh Johnson made his triumphant return from TJS, and far exceeded our expectations in his first start since going under the knife. Chris Volstad was called up at long last and pitched an absolute gem, fulfilling all of the fantasies we've been having about this kid for the past several years.

Four quality starts in a row. Two starters flirting with complete games. A four game win streak. Kevin Gregg's sudden enlightenment to the fact that he's supposed to saving--rather than blowing--games...I hardly know what to do with myself, other than walk around with a ridiculous grin plastered to my face, prompting a slew of questions as to my sobriety.

Of course, just so we don't get overly festive and dip into that eggnog a few too many times, there's the one lump of coal in our stocking this holiday season... Andrew Miller, who is decidedly bad at pitching a good 83% of the time, has had another miserable start to a ball game. He gave up seven runs against LA today and exited after a mere 1 2/3 innings. Yeah, yeah, save your "potential" rhetoric for somebody who hasn't heard it a billion times, and who still thinks it is a valid excuse for continuing to put Miller on the mound every five days. Funny thing about potential, folks--it doesn't do anything for anybody until it is reached. That's why minor league clubs were invented. When he can throw strikes consistently and get outs consistently, and get through the bloody first inning without giving up 72 runs consistently, then we'll talk. Until then, he should see about hitching a ride to New Mexico on that shiny red sleigh.

A holly jolly July to you all. And to ya'll a good night. (That is, assuming anyone can actually have a good night after watching a game like the one we're watching.)