Two Biggest Questions for Game 6

The two biggest questions heading into tonight's game 6 are ...

#1 How much can Beckett give the Sox tonight? He clearly is not 100% but neither was Schilling in 2004 or Pedro in 1999. The Nation needs him to give the team a chance to win the game by keeping us in the game for 5 to 6 innings. He did not do this in game two surrendering eight runs. Many of us are holding our breath waiting to see what he can do. Beckett loves to compete and will give the team whatever he has.

Look for the game to hinge on each team's bullpens; Howell, Baflour and Wheeler vs Okajima, Masterson and Papelbon.

#2 Will the Rays be spooked by Game 5? It cannot be easy seeing the light at the end of the tunnel only to be pushed further back into the darkness. This young, confident team has shown all season that they can comeback from disappointment. However, they have never been on this type of stage. Reading the Tampa papers on line, there were lines like; "As the clock struck midnight, the Rays turned into pumpkins" and "the 2007 Rays showed up from the seventh inning on". Right fielder Gabe Gross said the loss was "deflating" and Carl Crawford used the word "devastating".

This one is difficult to answer. If Beckett throws well and the Sox get some much needed timely hitting,which results in a Rays' loss. Does this mean Tampa was feeling the pressure? Not sure.

Maddon gave the Sox some life by alternating his bullpen. Hopefully, the Sox can take advantage. One thing is for sure, tonight's game will be intense and the most watched game of the playoffs so far.