I think for the medium-to-shorter hitters, we need those fairways to be firm.

The greens were so firm Monday and Tuesday that I was dreading it, ... The fairways were a lot firmer then, so you hit shorter shots in. I hit 6-iron into 17 today. In the practice round, I hit a gap wedge. That's a big difference. The greens were softer, but the course played so much longer. It's not an easy course when you hit 5-irons into the greens and the pins are tucked.

They've really bumped any short hitters out of consideration. It's more difficult for shorter hitters. The shorter hitters are faced with a lot of improper shots into greens.

I certainly agree that it's narrowed up the field a little bit. Some of the shorter hitters are definitely going to struggle.

That's the plan. It's worked before between Pedro and Schilling and myself. You'd have to ask hitters if it really makes a difference, but I think if you get in a three-game series with Schilling, myself and (Josh) Beckett, that kind of contrast, I think chances are pretty good if we all have our 'A' games that day.

The shorter end of the U.S. yield curve is holding a fairly nice firm tone.