Dream Big

The only limit is your imagination ... and maybe your Internet connection.

Doctor, I’m really worried about my husband. I think he has rickets. We never go anywhere anymore because he’s afraid he’ll miss something good on TV, so he hasn’t seen the sun for 10 years. Last week, I tried to draw the curtains so I could open the window to let in some fresh air. He HISSED at me. What would you suggest?

No, I don’t think a divorce is the answer. I was thinking something more like vitamin D supplements, or a specialized diet of milkshakes and salmon. Scurvy? Yeah, I guess that wouldn’t be any better. I’m just at the end of my rope here, so I’m grasping at straws.

You know, I did hear about that Sling Media Slingbox Pro-HD. I hear you can connect it to up to three devices like your DVR, cable box and DVD player and then watch from anywhere on your PC or Mac. Maybe that way I can finally get him to take me on that trip to Branson. What do you think?

No, I don’t think he needs a shrink. He just needs a way to watch his favorite shows in stunning HD over the Internet. I really think the Sling Media Slingbox Pro-HD might be the solution! That way, he can just take his laptop to dinner with us at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. Oooh! And maybe we can even dress up and get one of those old timey tin-type photos at Silver Dollar City. Yeah, I guess maybe the computer would ruin it.

That’s it! I’m going to get him one. Thanks, Doc! By this time next week, I’ll be engaged in the fine craft of whittling while enjoying a delicious stick of rock candy. And he’ll be right by my side, viewing his TV schedule with an on-screen program guide and pausing, changing channels, and fast-forwarding and rewinding with a virtual remote control. You hear that, Momma?! Sometimes dreams really DO come true!

Warranty: 90 Day Sling Media

Condition: Refurbished

Features:

• Connect up to three home theater sources, such as your digital video recorder (DVR), digital cable set-top box and DVD player/recorder
• Take complete control of your home theater via the web with the comprehensive and easy-to-use on-screen remote control and program guide
• Watch your favorite shows in stunning HD over the internet on your PC or Mac laptop or desktop computer—from anywhere
• Control your digital cable box, satellite receiver, DVR or DVD player. Access music channels or video-on-demand
• Full set of pass-through connections. Easily connect to any of the thousands of compatible standard-definition (SD) or HD sources. Component, composite, S-Video and ATSC connectors
• Adaptive video technology. Ensures the clearest picture possible at any given location
• With SlingPlayer software (download sold separately) watch and control your TV and all of its programming on your compatible tablet or smartphone
• Uses an App on tablets and smartphones, uses standard browsers on computer, even watch on Facebook

Additional Photos:

• Ports
• Package Contents

In the box:

• Sling Media SB300-100 Slingbox PRO-HD
• Ethernet Cable
• Coaxial Cable
• Composite A/V Cable
• Component Video Cable
• S-Video Cable
• Stereo Audio Cable
• Remote Control IR Cable
• AC Adapter
• User Guide
• Quick Start Guide

Cole Hamels strikes out nine and wins his sixth straight game.

The Phillies aren’t the greatest during inter league play.  Heck, the National League has always been looked at as the inferior league.  The Red Sox came into town in sort of the same boat as the Phillies.  They are a team with a lot of talent that has seen injuries plague the early start of this season.

Anyways, we have Cole Hamels.  Hamels won his sixth game in a row.  This is the first time in his career he has done that.  The Phillies put him out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning and although the Red Sox battled back, Jonathan Papelbon saved his 12th game in as many chances for a 6-4 Phillies win.

Ace in the bucket - There is no need to tell Cole what he is pitching for this season.  Hamels is a free agent when this season is over and he is showing the Phillies front office why they should keep him around.  The lefty struck out nine batters in seven innings.  He gave up three earned runs, which included two solo home runs.

Patience is a virtue - Three out of the first four hitters for the Phillies drew walks in the first inning.  They would eventually go on to score four runs in the inning with only gathering one hit.  The Phillies drew six walks in the game.  Jimmy Rollins now has six walks in his last five games.  Before that he only had seven all season.

Choochtastic - Carlos Ruiz went 2-for-3 tonight and continues to ‘impress’ everyone.  Ruiz has always been known as the catcher behind Hamels, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee.  This season he is showing off his bat in the first 40 games of the season.  Chooch has 14 hits and 10 RBIs in his last eight games and leads all catchers in batting average, hits and home runs.

Launching pad – There were five home runs hit in tonight’s game.  I won’t even touch on the Boston bombs but Freddy Galvis and Hunter Pence took Red Sox pitching deep.  It was Glavis’ second homer of the season and Pence’s 5th inning shot put him in double digits for the season.

Keep it going - The Phillies won their sixth game in a row and have now won eight of their last nine since being swept by the Mets.  Like I said, Papelbon saved his 12th game of the season against his former team.  The Phillies will send Joe Blanton to the hill tomorrow to take on Jon Lester.

Red Sox (18-20) at Phillies (20-19)

Daniel Bard (3-4, 4.30) vs. Cole Hamels (5-1, 2.28)

Time: 7:05, Citizens Bank Park
TV: CSN
Weather: Sunny, 66
Media: Twitter and Facebook

The Phillies will be without Charlie Manuel, who is serving a one-game suspension (explained here), tonight when they take the field against the AL-rival Boston Red Sox in search of their sixth consecutive win. In year’s past, the Boston series has always been high-profile, with both team’s regularly contenders. This weekend will look a little different, however, as both team’s enter tonight’s game in last place in their respective divisions and the Red Sox sporting a sub-500 record.

The series will be the Phillies first foray into inter-league play of 2012. Historically, inter-league play has been a struggle for the Phils, as they’ve gone 115-135 since its inception. They’ve found some success over the last two seasons, though, combing for a 19-14 record in games against the AL.

On the mound for the Phils will be their young stud, Cole Hamels. So far this season, Hamels has been better than ever, posting a 6-1 record with a 2.28 ERA. His 9.32 K/9 rate is good for tenth in baseball, and his 1.04 WHIP has him ranked 13th among National League pitchers. As good as Hamels has been this season, he’s been even better throughout his career when pitching against the Bosox. In four career starts, he’s gone 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA. Those numbers were accumulated mostly against a different lineup than the one he’ll be seeing tonight. Current Red Sox hitters have combined for a .295 average against Hamels with nine home runs in 105 at-bats.

The Red Sox will counter with reliever-turned-starter Daniel Bard. Once thought to be heir to the closer role when Papelbon left, Bard was converted into a starter this winter when the Red Sox acquired Andrew Bailey from Oakland. For his career, he has posted a 9.82 ERA against the Phillies. Those numbers can be thrown out the window, as they all came when Bard was a reliever and are also the product of a small sample size (3.2 innings pitched). Of the current Phillies hitters to have faced Bard, only Ty Wigginton has ever gotten a hit off him (2-for-6 lifetime).

Lineup: Rollins SS, Pierre LF, Victorino CF, Pence RF, Ruiz C, Wigginton 3B, Mayberry 1B, Galvis 2B, Hamels P

Your gameday beer: Saranac Blueberry Blonde Ale

Blonde ale mixed with blueberry juice and natural blueberry flavor, the Saranac Blueberry Blonde Ale has a mild taste, defined by slightly bitter hops that really show off the blueberry undertone as you swallow. The refreshing blueberry taste is perfect for warmer spring nights like tonight, when our collective foot is just on the doorstep of summer. Have it with some fresh vegetables and pasta. –By Ryan

GO PHILLIES!