Game 2 and what we know

For Red Sox Nation, Game 2 of the 2009 ALDS is but a distant painful memory. Let us remain focused on the task at hand and deal with what we know.

• We know that the offense has to get better. One run and eight hits in eighteen innings is not good enough. There has been a great deal of analysis recently about the team's inability to hit good pitching. Proof is in the pudding. Lackey and Weaver had the Sox tied up.
• We know that the Red Sox are a dominant team at home. Home cooking is the best remedy for what is ailing us. The offense is better suited for Fenway.
• We know that Lester and Beckett both pitched well enough to win. With both primed to pitch in Games 4 and 5 respectively, the Sox have a chance.
• We know that recent history tells us that there is no more resilient team in all of sports when in a situation like this. The franchise have two (1999, 2003) of the four teams every to win a series after being down 2-0. The Sox are also the only team to come back from a 3-0 deficit. Even just last year, the Sox were down seven runs with nine outs left in their season and come back to win that game, the next game and force a game seven.
• We know that the Sox have to win game 3 before looking towards extending the series. This means that Clay Buchholz is the man on the spot.
• We know that the Angels have every ounce of momentum. Kazmir pitching in Fenway with an opportunity to eliminate the Red Sox is exactly why he was obtained by the Angels.
• We know that the Red Sox are at a crossroads. A loss on Sunday will have ripple effects. The front office will have to make some difficult decisions when answering the ultimate question -- Is this current nucleus good enough? Sure Papelbon, Youkilis, Pedroia, Lester, Ellsbury and Bard are untouchables. Martinez will be with the club for the rest of his contract. Are we seeing the last of the old guard? Varitek's club option for next year is certainly in question. Wakefiled may have thrown his last fluttering knuckler. Lowell is not the same guy. Bay is going to break the bank. Are the Sox willing to pay the man? Beckett has one more year on his contract. A decision to resign him is getting close. Regardless of his numbers since June, Ortiz is not the same hitter that carried the team.
• We know how much better we will feel with a win on Sunday. Just give the team a chance. As Kevin Millar said in the 2004 ALCS, "Don't let us win tomorrow." We know what happened then.