Dear Criss: I know we're not supposed to be talking to each other, but technically, we're not. Three cheers for The Captain who kicked into gear and showed once again, that he rocks! Four stars, Mr. Varitek. Can I just say how happy I feel right now?! Better. And really, Big Papi=MVP, CLEARLY. I won't make fun of A-Fraud. Promise. I saw the highlights of last night's game against Toronto this morning, and I was speechless. It just gave me goosebumps. I mean, nothing quite wakes you up in the morning like Big Papi winning the game.

Two more games to make the stomach nervous. Buckle up, kids! Here we go! I wonder if Stephen King is working on Faithful 2 with Stu O'Nan. If this October has a happy ending, it would make a great sequal. Go Sox!

Photo: YahooSports/Reuters, Mike Segar

Dear Roxy,
I find my heart racing everyday. And then I feel my heart stop when I think, “What about if we don’t make it?” I have to admit it crosses my mind more than it should, but I can’t help it. I am only human and so are my Yankees. I just hope we are standing there at the end. Remember, Destiny ends in NY!!!
You gotta remember our ritual: No talking to each other this weekend. I can’t hear a Sox fan when I’m watching the Yanks. I can’t hear anyone else for that matter. So, yesterday morning I was watching ESPN and this is how it goes: If the Yankees, Red Sox and Indians are all tied at the end of the season, then the Yankees and Red Sox play Monday for the Eastern Division at Yankees Stadium AND the loser of that game will play the Indians at Jacob’s Field for the Wild Card. Don’t ask me what happens if there’s a four-way tie. I had no time to watch that…...

AP Photo

We take this pivotal moment in time to start Sporting Gals. While we would have loved to start it sooner, it's too late to look back, so enjoy with us what's left of the baseball season. We have no intention of thinking past the season, so we'll figure out another topic/obsession at that point. With out further a do, let us begin the journey of Red Sox vs. Yankees (+ other favorite things)...

Dear Criss,
I don't know about you, but I'm restless. I can't stop checking the ticker on ESPN and ESPN2 and have now added CNN Headline News to my ticker list. I want to know the score, but I don't. I want to wait until the later innings to check, but I can't think of anything else. As much as I anticipate this weekend with y'all coming to town (Note to reader: Neither of us are in Boston or New York, but we'll continue to confuse you nonetheless), I can't help but be fixed on this series against Toronto. And my boys aren't making me smile right now. I need some smiles people! Work harder!

Photo: Boston Globe, Barry Chin