Game 7 tonight

Yes, I know the Red Sox have all the momentum in the world. Yes, I know the Red Sox have forced a Game 7 after being in a large deficit three straight times.

That said, let's go Rays. Please. Please prove the baseball world wrong. Please beat up on Jon Lester. Please. Por favor. どうぞ.

Yankees win against Papelbon

Well, there will only be one final Yankees/Red Sox game at Yankee Stadium, and the Yankees did the right thing and won.

It was even sweet that Jason Giambi's bases-loaded single came against Jonathan Papelbon. He also tied the game in the seventh inning with a two-run home run. He didn't start the game against lefty Jon Lester, but he certainly had a presence.

This win probably won't matter in regards to the standings, but it's important historically. Hopefully the Yankees can win on Sept. 21 as well.

Mike Mussina restored order to the pitching staff, pitching seven innings and allowing two earned runs. He got a no-decision, however, and remains at 16 victories on the season.

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Washburn pitching in Toronto

There has been much talk that a possible Jarrod Washburn to the Yankees trade is imminent. However, as scheduled, Washburn is pitching for the Mariners in Toronto against the Blue Jays as we speak.

Sidney Ponson will face Jon Lester in the final game of the series tonight.

Lester throws a no-hitter

Jon Lester of the Boston Red Sox has just no-hit the Kansas City Royals.

This is a great story. The man was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago and he came all the way back.

By the way, to those listening on ESPN's bonus coverage: How bad was Don Orsillo's call of the no-hitter? It sounded like he was just screaming into the microphone. There's a difference between getting excited and sounding like a buffoon.

(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Stark on Santana

ESPN's Jayson Stark is reporting that the Twins may wait until Spring Training for the right package in a Johan Santana trade. He also mentions that it's possible that he and his agents will refuse to waive the no-trade clause if a deal isn't completed sooner.

Stark says that the Yankees' last offer was Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Jeff Marquez and an unnamed fourth prospect who was never agreed on. That offer is off the table unless Hank Steinbrenner brings the Yankees back into discussions.

He says that the Red Sox haven't improved their offer of Jon Lester, Coco Crisp and prospects Justin Masterson and Jed Lowrie. He quotes a source who says that the Twins want the Mets, who still seem to be involved, to "rip up their whole farm system" for Santana, which is something I highly doubt they'll do.

The longer this drags on, the less inclined I am to pull the trigger on any deal for Santana. I'm willing to go to battle with the pitchers the Yankees have now, especially if Joba Chamberlain begins the season in the bullpen, as it is beginning to look like. The Yankees would have their starting rotation complete and the bullpen would be better fortified with Chamberlain in the mix early on. I'm starting to believe that Santana will at least begin the season with the Twins.

Yankees will not change offer

From Peter Abraham:

Just spoke to a Yankees Exec Who Can Be Trusted and learned this:

The Y.E.W.C.B.T said that Brian Cashman has made his final offer and will not toss in Ian Kennedy, Alan Horne or Austin Jackson. That would seem to favor the Red Sox but the Dodgers and Angels are now getting in the mix with the Yankees on the outskirts. (LoHud Yankees Blog)

So there you have it. Abraham also says that the Twins don't really like Melky Cabrera but love Jon Lester from the Red Sox.

I'm glad to see the Yankees not give in to the Twins' demands. It was worth trying to dangle Phil Hughes, but when they wanted more, it was right for the Yankees to walk away.

Yankees make offer for Santana

From Jack Curry:

The Yankees have offered pitcher Ian Kennedy, center fielder Melky Cabrera and at least one minor league prospect, perhaps outfielder José Tabata. In the trade discussions, the Yankees have told the Twins that pitcher Joba Chamberlain is untouchable and that they do not want to deal pitcher Phil Hughes.

Because the Twins are insisting that Hughes must be a part of the package, the Yankees are mulling whether to make that concession. If the Yankees insert Hughes for Kennedy in their offer, they think it could be enough to obtain Santana. Of course, the Yankees, or any team that reached an agreement with the Twins, would then have the challenging task of signing Santana to a huge six- or seven-year contract in a 72-hour window. (The New York Times)

I like this offer in terms of a starting point. I'm happy with the decision to make Chamberlain untouchable and I believe that Hughes will have to come into play eventually.

I am not opposed to trading Hughes but I'd prefer keeping him.

The article later mentions that the Red Sox offered Jon Lester, Coco Crisp and two minor leaguers.

This ride could get bumpy.