Can it happen again?

1986 ALCS, 2004 ALCS, 2007 ALCS and 2008 ALCS??

Game 6 was a beauty from the start. Listening to WRKO's broadcast because of a power failure in Atlanta, we had to wonder if BJ Upton is mortal. Youkilis' answer in the second was huge. Papi's double leads to a rbi ground out by Youk, Bartlett (??) ties it, Varitek (??) unties it and Bartlett gives Papi a chance and he capitalizes.

The Sox pitchers came through big time. Josh Beckett really didn't have too much. His four seamer was not exploding. He did PITCH very well. He threw as many curve balls as I can ever remember him using. I loved the decision to take him out after five innings. Okajima was the star of the game. Two innings of nothing for the Rays. Masterson was trying to throw the ball 100 miles a hour but settled down to retire the side. Paplebon looks to be on fumes but he did his thing.

Offensively the team did enough. Leaving 12 runners on base was frustrating. Kotsay is killing the ball but has little to show for it. Coco's three hits are encouraging. Varitek's screamer was ironic seeing it was his first hit in the series. We all had to feel good for him.

Game 7 tonight should be entertaining. The Sox must be in the Rays' heads. It could happen to any team not just this young one. Recent history suggests that the Sox will complete this improbable comeback tonight. I like the pitching match up.

After what Beckett did last night, Lester is going to come out and pitch well. The key for him is the ability to drop in some first pitch curve balls. This will allow him and Tek to keep the Rays young, aggressive hitters off stride.

Matt Garza can be an absolute head case. The biggest game of his life has to have this mental midget so stressed out that he wants to do too much. Hopefully this plays right into the Sox hitters desire to work counts. Balfour and Wheeler are toast.


My Game 7 hunches ...

Ellsbury pinch runs in a huge spot
Upton goes homerless
Longoria does not
Drew squares up at least two balls
Wheeler will pitch more than one inning
Game is decided by more than two runs

Happy watching.