Jon Lester didn't have it. Matt Garza did. Much of a team's fortunate in the playoffs comes down to the starting pitching. Lester gave up two long home runs that spotted the Rays a 5-0 lead and that was about it for the Sox because Garza was pounding the zone.
There seems to be many question marks. Varitek? We have accepted the fact that you are not going to hit (Was anyone surprised at the called third strike with runners at second and third?) but a pass ball that leads to the first run, really? Ellsbury? When he gets on base, the Sox are a much better team. Ortiz? What does he have left? Did he notice that Pena bunted against the shift? Wakefield? Can he just get us into the sixth with a lead or tie game? Our top two pitchers both got absolutely tattooed, can we still win this thing or is it over?
This thing is far from decided. As the philosopher Bluto said in Animal House, "Over? Did you say 'over'? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!" Like Bluto we all need a little history lesson.
1986 ALCS versus the Angels. Sox down 3 games to 1, tie game 5 in the top of the ninth with two outs and two strikes on Dave Henderson's homer. Sox win the series in seven games.
1999 ALDS versus the Indians. Down 2 games to none, the Sox win the series by sweeping three straight games behind Troy O'Leary, Nomar Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez.
2003 ALDS versus the A's. Again down 2 games to none, the Sox shock the favored A's by sweeping three straight.
2004 ALCS versus the Yankees. The only team in major sports to ever come back from a 3-0 series deficiet to win four straight. The World Series was anti climatic. 86 years later we can say champions again.
2007 ALCS versus the Indians. Down 3 games to 1, the Sox take three straight to advance and win the World Series again.
If there is one franchise in sports today that can overcome any deficit it is the Boston Red Sox. Obviously, things do not look good but let us have faith. The organization has proven in the past that they can overcome anything.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Although some may argue that the NHL isn't a major sport, it has happened twice. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit in '42 & New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh in '75.
Definitely not a "major" sport in my book. Are you really "hapi for papi"? I would think a name change may be in order. Maybe "Replacin Jason"
You shall get your wish tonight with Wakefield pitching.
Post a Comment