Even if you’re not a Red Sox the Fire Brand of the American League is worth a couple views a week. Recently up is on the site is Who Should Pitch in October?

This should give you an indication of the piece’s tone:

The magic number to make the playoffs is three. Let’s not fool ourselves: we’re making it. And let me tell you something else: the Red Sox are better than this. We CAN win the division. It starts tonight.

Each of the current 16 pitchers is rated as “automatically in” or “could be in.” As you might expect Josh Beckett, Manny Delcarmen, Jonathan Papelbon, and Curt Schilling are all “automatically in.” I don’t think any non-Sox fan would disagree any of these. Mike Timlin, based on how he’s pitched recently is also a valid “automatic” selection, but, hmmm, getting a bit less interesting.

Tim Wakefield? He is also “automatic,” and should be, but as one of the commenters on FB of the AL has already pointed out he’s 1-1, 5.73/1.55 vs. the Angels and 0-3, 10.93/2.57 (that’s WHIP in case you weren’t sure) vs. the Yankees.

Then there’s Matsuzaka and Okajima, also listed as “automatic.” Matsuzaka, of course he will be on the playoff roster. But is any Red Sox fan excited about handing him the ball in game 2 as the Sox have suggested they will?

Sox fans were elated with his 5.2IP 4H 2ER 5BB (still can’t get over these BB numbers) 7K performance vs. the Yankees last week. The follow up wasn’t mediocre as Saturday’s line vs. Tampa: 6.2IP 6H 5ER 3BB 7K, but again, is this really a game 2 guy?

And what can you say about a guy with a self-proclaimed “dead arm” and a 12.74 ERA over the last month? Since July 14 Okajima’s ERA has gone from 0.79 to 2.28.

And then there’s Eric Gagne.

All this is producing a fun Bryan Corey-and-his-5.2-shutout-innings-ought-to-be-considered debate amongst Sox fans. Personally, I usually root for the Reds and “whoever the Yankees are playing.” But this year I’m not so sure.

Ideally, both the Sox and Yanks will lose in the first round, or matchup in the ALCS, with the winner going on to lose to an  NL team that barely squeezes in.

“The Rockies win in five” has a nice ring to it.