"Slip, slidin' away"

Another blow out loss last night. The Rays have scored thirty-one runs over the last three games. Wakefield had nothing while Sonnanstine dominated the line up. Undoubtedly, all of the momentum is on the side of the team from Tampa. The Sox continue to not pitch well and are unable to put together a string of hits needed for a big inning. All seems lost.

However, it is always darkest before the dawn. Our top three pitchers are lined up for the last three games. Granted Beckett and Lester got shelled in their last outings but I still like the team's chances if we can just get to a Game 6. Dice-K has the team's best winning percentage as a starter and was masterful in Game 1. He is opposed by game 2 starter Scott Kazmir, who very easily could have given up 20 runs to the Sox. If we could just get some timely hitting and Dice-K and the bullpen can hold these guys down, I like our chances in Tampa.

Game 6 would pit Beckett against James Sheilds. Joe Maddon must realize that the Sox will hit Kazmir and is putting all of his eggs in Sheilds' basket. Hopefully, Beckett is up to the task. How about the Sox moving Lester up to this start? That would leave Game 7 to Beckett against Garza. Anything can happen in a game 7. Imagine Papelbon pitching four innings in a winner take all game?

There are a couple of things that need to happen;

#1 The starting pitching must give the team a chance. Lester and Wakefield provided the offense the daunting task of making up five runs early. This cannot happen again.
#2 The offense has to hit. The Rays are not going to walk people or make errors (Longoria was avoiding a splintered bat last night). Whether or not Ellsbury or Drew bats lead off, the offense has to have some one jump start the team.

There are a couple of things I would like to see happen;

#1 The Fenway Faithful needs to get into the game. Of the four teams remaining in the playoffs, the crowd at Fenway seems to be the least boisterous and loud. Are we getting too spoiled? Granted, an early deficit makes it difficult to be in the game but you paid big bucks for those seats -- get loud and I don't mean booing.
#2 Francona gets aggressive. Offensively the team is struggling. Why not hit and run or steal a bag? The Rays have our defense on our heels. Let's return the favor. Pedroia and Bay should be able to swipe a bag. If Ellsbury or Crisp can get on base that would help.
#3 Papi stops running his mouth and starts to produce. After game 1 he said he saw "fear" in the Rays dugout. Yesterday he said, "don't let us win game 5". Well, big boy make it happen.

Game 5 will be real interesting. I cannot wait to see how the team, manager and crowd responds to the recent struggles.