No matter the size of screen - a quality start

One of the interesting things about being back in the UK at the moment is the chance to see baseball as Neil M sees it - I am using MLB.TV on my laptop to watch those games that are not on NASN (or Channel 5 tonight).

When I left the UK before the 2003 season, I had used the original MLB.TV in 2002, and while it was better than nothing, the quality of the game stream was pretty awful on my broadband connection - very 'blocky', and prone to frequent buffering delays.

Well here in 2005 I can honestly say... WOW... the quality is incredible, TV standard, albeit best viewed in a relatively small screen setting, with no buffering delays to date - I have watched the Yanks / Mets, Cubs / Sox and Braves / Sox today and can say without reservation - subscribe if you don't already.

Matt Clement had his best start as a Sox today - a complete game victory, that without one rocky inning would have been something truly special. He had fantastic command (no walks) and was ahead of most batters, giving hitters less chance to be patient. His record now stands at 5-0, his ERA at 3.34 - is this the start of the break out year that every one expected of Clement?

Also of note - Manny continuing to improve. Jerry Remy and others frequently comment on Manny taking the ball straight away or to right field as signs that his batting stroke is coming round - well in his 3 for 5 day today, all the hits were in those directions, and that has been the case for a few days now - my hope, fingers crossed, is that Manny is ready to break out - a remarkable statement given his other numbers, but more an indication of his incredible career standards.