The Curse

Many will blame Mark Buehrle’s perfect streak coming to an end, the five earned runs he gave up in the sixth and seventh innings, and the White Sox 5-3 loss to the Twins on Tuesday night on the most recent Sports Illustrated cover. The SI cover curse or jinx is well documented. SI itself, ran a story on it in 2002, detailing the numerous instances of the curse at work.  Even Michael Jordan couldn’t escape the curse.

Yet with Mark Buehrle, things should have been different. He doesn’t believe in the superstitions involved with such things, openly talking about his perfect game in the dugout last week.  And through another 17 batters yesterday, Buehrle was still perfect. He looked strong in breaking the previous mark of 41 straight hitters retired, a record held by San Francisco’s Jim Barr (1972) and Buehrle’s teammate Bobby Jenks (2007). What happened next could not have been caused by the SI cover curse. The curse isn’t patient and wouldn’t have allowed Buehrle to continue on in record-setting fashion before rearing its ugly head.

No, instead Buehrle’s breakdown was caused by something that could have been avoided. Had Buehrle not partaken in some pre-game voodoo, we would be talking about him in the same breath as Johnny Van Der Meer (he of the two no-hitters in a row back in 1938).

Just like he did with John Danks’ initials and uniform number in his perfect game start against the Rays, Buehrle etched in his good friend and former teammate, Javier Vazquez’s initials and number into the Metrodome mound on Tuesday. Unfortunately, with his scrawl, Buehrle sealed his fate and subjected Sox fans to a display reminiscent of Vazquez’s 2007 performance with the ball club.

The first two times through the lineup, Buehrle was masterful, mixing his pitches and carrying a no-hitter well into the sixth. But after walking Alexi Casilla, Denard Span, the very first batter to see Buehrle for the third time, laced a single. This was quickly followed by a RBI double from Joe Mauer. Much like Vazquez, it didn’t take long before five runs had been posted by the Twins in their third time through the lineup.

Hopefully Mark Buehrle will discontinue this particular superstition and stick to what he does best.

AL CENTRAL – Looks like it will be a three team race. Haven’t I already seen this before?

Detroit (45-38) beat KC 8-5 at home. Sure, Verlander struck out 11, but he threw 114 pitches in 6 innings giving up 5 runs (admittedly only 3 earned). Only thing that impressed me was Placido Polanco. The best 2B/Tenor in the American League.

White Sox (43-40) beat up on Cleveland 10-6 at home.  Paul Konerko hits three home runs, and gets his first curtain call preempted by AJ’s first pitch foul out.  Alexei Ramirez hits a home run, but still fails to sign Aroldis Chapman. Rumors run rampant that Ramirez and Contreras will sit until after the All Star Break to focus their efforts on recruiting Chapman.

Minnesota (43-41) lost 2-10 in the launch pad that is Yankee Stadium. CC Sabathia pitches a gem, Morneau reportedly blames time zone change.  Look on the bright side Twinkies fans, the Reds loss yesterday was twice as bad.

Kansas City (36-47) lost 5-8 in Detroit. Still managed 10 hits and saw 170 pitches from Detroit pitchers. Unfortunately, they had Bruce Chen starting for them.  A few more years and hopefully the Royals won’t have to resort to starting Oriole retreads.

Cleveland (33-51) lost 6-10 to the Sox at the Cell.  Reported cat fight in Section 137 during the bottom of the second inning between Scotty Pods’ admirers and Grady’s ladies. Can’t count out the Indians’ bats, but their bullpen is down for the count.

Division Standings

Team                         GB

Detroit                      – -

Sox                            2.0

Minnesota                2.5

Kansas City              9.0

Cleveland                 12.5

NL Central – With the All-Star game in STL, not likely the Cardinals will sputter into the break. Just wouldn’t make for a good story to tell as we see panoramic videos of the Arch.

St. Louis (46-39) beat Brewers on the road 5-0. These guys are firing on all cylinders. Pitching was great, hitting both timely and patient. Who would you have as your closer Cubs fans? Ryan Franklin and his 0.83 ERA or the two-headed monster that is Gregg/Marmol?

Milwaukee (43-40) lose to the Cards at home 0-5. I don’t want to say that the wheels are coming off, but when your Bench Coach and Hitting Coach get ejected in consecutive frames it’s not a good sign.

Cubs (41-40) lost to the Braves and Javy Vazquez in a close one 2-1. Have you guys traded Carlos Zambrano yet? You know it’s bad when Vazquez is making it out of the 6th and you’re not.  Tough loss for the Cubs all in all.

Cincinnati (41-41) find their manhood, his name is Brandon Phillips (2 HR, 3 RBIs). Take a 4-3 win over the Phillies, scoring the winning run in the top of the 9th, then letting Francisco Cordero lock it down for his 21st save of the season.

Houston (40-42) lose 3-6 to Houston. Can’t solve the magician Paul Maholm’s nasty stuff.

Pittsburgh (38-46) bounce back and win 6-3 in Houston.  Big 7th inning helps put the ‘Stros away. Jack Wilson has hit over 16% of his career home runs in Houston. I know, fascinating stuff. In other observations, the Pirates should be beating a team with a man named Cecil at the helm, relying on guys named Lance and Hunter.

Division Standings

Team                         GB

St. Louis                    – -

Milwaukee                2.0

Cubs                         3.0

Cincinnati                 3.5

Houston                   4.5

Pittsburgh                7.5