Today’s match up of Barry Zito versus Vida blue reminds me of the tremendous battle Vida Blue and Red Sox right hander Sonny Seibert waged in 1971.

Blue reeled off ten wins in a row to start his fabulous 1971 season. Seibert had been just as dominating for Boston winning his first eight decisions. 35,174 jammed Fenway to see this epic battle of unbeaten pitchers. They weren’t disappointed.

The baseball world couldn’t wait for these two to pitch against each other in Fenway Park on May 28th, 1971.

The Red Sox have struggled lately against left handed pitching. Zito is one of the best. Lowe is throwing well in the second half after a shaky start or two.

What do you think will happen tonight?

The Angels and White Sox play tonight as well as the other contenders all over baseball.

Let’s look.

The A’s are an experienced bunch even though their ages tend to distract most analysts. The core of this team is going through their fourth pennant chase together.

The coaches and manager have grown over the last four years. They don’t get intimidated in Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park.

This expereince is a huge factor to keep in mind as August unfolds and the pressure mounts.

Billy Koch made it through a tough five out save last night. Zito can’t count on a lot of bull pen support today, he better be prepared to go nine.

This one will be decided late with the advantage to the team that uses the fewest relievers.

Jim Parque returns for Chicago tonight against Aaron Sele. The Angels get a break because Parque has trouble breaking a pane of glass with his stuff.

Kevi Appier did what I thought he would do last night (struggle). Now, the Angels must regroup today. Neither Ramon Ortiz, Jarrod Washburn nor John Lackey have been down the stretch before, so watch this rotation closely over the next few weeks.

Paul Byrd (KC) gets a start versus the Yankees. If he is available in trade, the Mariners and A’s will be watching how he pitches against the Bombers in NY today very carefully.

St. Louis is reeling, Houston is charging. Both should win today with Matt Morris leading the Cards and Peter Munro the Astros.

The Atlanta pen blinked first last night in Arizona. Mike Remlinger left in the eighth with an injury as did Greg Maddux earlier in the game. The Braves have this thing locked up so now must go in the “protect the pitcher from injury mode.”

Barry Bonds won’t hit 600 today. Tomorrow night seems the most likely time with the hapless Pirates coming into town. Matt Clement has pitched well lately as has Livan Hernandez. Today’s game should be close again.

Fred Mcgriff isn’t finished. He can help Atlanta, they should try to get him this month.

Eric Milton is out for a month with a knee injury. The Twins rotation has been on the DL too many times for me. I think it’s trouble for the playoffs. They are not sharp. Johann Santana is a capable fill in and should not miss a turn in the rotation for the rest of the season even when everyone is healthy. They will need him in the playoffs, better get him ready now.

Another one of my favorite waiver deal candidates throws today, Ismael Valdes in Detroit for the Rangers. His opponent Jose Lima didn’t have anything last Saturday in Oakland.

Good Thursday in baseball. The weekend will be even better.

By the way, Sonny Seibert won it over Vida Blue that memorable day in Boston 4-3. Rico Petrocelli hit two homers and drove in three runs for the Sox. Seibert (9-0) went 8 and 2/3 innings, before Bobby Bolin struck out Dave Duncan to end the game. Vida (10-1) pitched into the eighth before giving way to Bob Locker. Sal Bando, Reggie Jackson, and
Dave Duncan homered to account for all the A’s runs.

Today should be just as exciting in Beantown.