Things about the All Star Break that ESPN has said to piss me off

1. On Joe Maddon's decision to pick Halladay as the starter:

"No question it's Halladay. Some would argue that you could pick Beckett or Wakefield, but Halladay is the easily the correct answer."

2.85 ERA 1.098 WHIP .7 HR/9 106 K 16 BB 3 CG

4.31 ERA 1.380 WHIP  .7 HR/9 61 K 31 BB 2 CG

3.35 ERA 1.149 WHIP .7 HR/9 110 K 35 BB 2 CG

2.12 ERA  1.076 WHIP .3 HR/9 129 K 21 BB 5 CG

One of these is Zack Grienke. Hint: It's not the one with the 4.31 ERA who is only getting the All-Star nod because he wears a Boston uniform. He's actually the one with the 2.12 ERA and the best numbers in the league in pretty much everything.

Listen, there's nothing WRONG with the Halladay selection. It's just the All Star Game and it's not a big deal, even though Grienke is pretty clearly the best pitcher. But for ESPN to completely snub him in favor of two Boston pitchers - one who shouldn't be allowed within 20 miles of the fucking game - is about as dumb as the next thing I'm about to talk about.

2. "At the end of the game, you've got Nathan, Rivera and Papelbon? Those guys are unhittable!"

Ok, I get it that we're supposed to believe that the closer is supposed to be this enigma who can't be touched and no one will ever score off of. But I think Brad Lidge should have blown the cover off that ridiculous mindset this year. 

Papelbon is, however, in the middle of his worst year ever and is quite hittable. His walks are WAY up, his homerun rate is up, and he's on his way to let up more than double the hits he usually does. But yeah, he's unhittable, sure, ok ESPN.

Mariano and Nathan are doing awesome though so it would have been a pretty legit statement had they not done the usual Boston pandering and added in Papelbon's name.

3. "With Pedroia out, Aaron Hill is the only second baseman on the roster and will have to play the whole game."

Hello, ESPN, let me introduce you to All-Star Ben Zobrist. He happens to lead the AL in almost every statistical category. He's been the Rays' starting 2B for over a month. He also plays 6 other positions and can pitch. It's cool that you guys forgot about him, though. It's not like your only job is to watch baseball all day and talk about it on TV. It's a tough life.