1776

Yes

It’s a wonderful day on radio with Dirks and Dickerson. A world of difference with Andy in there.

Was the Chicago ceasefire resolution for Chicago or Gaza? Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

Israeli officials said the coordinated air-defense–the U.K., France and Arab neighbors Jordan and Saudi Arabia also joined the operation–demonstrated that the country could overcome diplomatic isolation over Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza and focus attention on Israel’s archrival Iran and its role in backing proxies in the Middle East. The Group of 7 began discussing imposing more sanctions on Iran over its drone and missile programs. -WSJ

This situation could go in so many directions at this point. Biden has communicated to BiBi that the US will not be a part of the response to Iran, whatever Israel decides. He did say our support otherwise is “ironclad.” That is all BiBi would have hoped for anyway. Iran notified its Arab neighbors of the planned attack. Accounting for the surrounding Arab countries, they remained neutral. That’s a big plus in hindsight. So if I’m BiBi, I’m wondering how far I can go with Iran before the neighbors get upset enough to act. Where is the ‘red line’ in this case. Tehran is the most outspoken regarding the elimination of the Jewish state, for years. Iran has played the proxy game for a long time. By attacking Israel directly, they have now subjected themselves to a no holds barred response. Israel has already made it clear that they will “exact a price” for the attack. So now I think, what could/would be Israel’s objective(s) in a retaliation. One of the first things that comes to mind is Iran’s nuclear production. I would guess Mossad probably has a very good idea of the state of their program at this point. They know enough about locations and status to make a very informed decision if that’s an option they’re considering. Would Israel make that a target/objective in retaliating? As far as the surrounding Arab neighbors, what objection would they voice? Without publicly broadcasting it, they realize Iran is the pariah in the region. I also have a hard time finding the logic in Iran’s attack on Israel. My impression after reading the accounts of the attack are, is Iran really that pathetic? Israel knew the attack was coming in advance, as did just about everybody else that follows any kind of news source. Tehran accomplished nothing, with the exception of green lighting Israel’s unrestrained response. So I’ve gone a step further and wondered, was the attack a sucker punch? Is there more to it that Iran is showing? They know they lit the fuse. How far will it go now? And, if Syria for instance, decides they want to be involved, where does it go from there? Very interesting times we live in.

I would imagine there are a fair number of Iranians sleeping with their lights on right about now.

Tigers facing Michael Lorenzen tomorrow.

Looking for a bounce back game from Flaherty.

He and Meadows can split one.

Mud Hen Meadows

The U.S. rushed warships into position to protect Israel and American forces in the region, hoping to head off a direct attack from Iran on Israel that could come as soon as Friday or Saturday. The moves by the U.S. that are part of an effort to avoid a wider conflict in the Middle East came after a warning from a person familiar with the matter about the timing and location of the potential Iranian attack. A person briefed by the Iranian leadership, however, said that while plans to attack are being discussed, no final decision has been made. -WSJ

Cleveland canceled their game. Somebody’s driveway must have been wet.

TEL AVIV—Israel is preparing for a direct attack from Iran on southern or northern Israel as soon as the next 24 to 48 hours, according to a person familiar with the matter. A person briefed by the Iranian leadership, however, said that while plans to attack are being discussed, no final decision has been made. Iran has publicly threatened to retaliate for an attack last week in Damascus, Syria, that Tehran said was an Israeli airstrike on a diplomatic building. The strike killed top Iranian military officials, including a senior member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ elite Quds Force. Earlier this week, U.S. intelligence reports showed that an attack on Israeli assets by Iran or its proxies could be imminent, but a source says it now appears that the attack could be within Israel’s borders. A U.S. official with knowledge of the matter said Thursday that American intelligence reports indicate an Iranian retaliatory strike within days, “possibly on Israeli soil” as opposed to Israeli interests elsewhere. -WSJ

There was never any doubt.

Please don’t let this come down to Baez.

It would be huge at this point.

Well, Baez has gone from the guy that can’t hit to the poster boy for the entire offense. I’m sure Hinch will be able to break it down for me postgame.

Odd. I’m receiving the feed all day.

Dan said that left field is the deepest in the majors. So I learned something today.

Tyler Holten on the mound.

No celly today if something doesn’t change soon.

Mize at 55 pitches through three innings. Would be nice if he could get through five with no more damage.

I’ve read many articles on MLB parks that suggest PNC and Oracle in SF are must attend parks.

Well, that lead didn’t last long.

I expect this team to compete for the division title. Until proven otherwise, it’s the weakest division in baseball. If they’re not competitive this year there are problems higher up than the players on the field. The Spiders/Indians/Guardians just lost Bieber for this season. There isn’t any excuse to not be at or near the top of this division.