- Man, did Josh Beckett look amazing on Wednesday night. The Sox totally dominated the Angels, as The Ace worked a magical outing. The fact that Becks set up a rested bullpen to back up Matsuzaka tonight is huge. This means that Tito doesn't have to debate yanking Dike-K if he struggles. Especially with another off day tomorrow. I think we are going to see a great performance from Matsuzaka tonight though. First, he has not faced the Angels this season, which certainly is more to his advantange than theirs, given that Varitek calls a masterful game. Second, the Sox offense has been hot lately and putting up runs early. If we can give him a lead to pitch with, he can settle in and just pitch his game. I'm sticking with my original prediction, this series is over come Sunday night. Schilling will be his October self and put up a performance that will keep the Angles bats in check long enough for the Boys to pull this one out.
- I'd said earlier in the week that Cleveland was a tough team, and would take out the Yankees in 4. But if the Indians play like they did last night, they may even be able to weather the Yankees offensive onslaught I predicted for Game 3 and take a broom to this one. They quickly negated Johnny Damon's first inning dinger and kept piling it on, raising doubts again as to Chien Ming Wang's qualifications as the squad's "ace". The Yanks put Pettitte on the mound this afternoon against the dangerous Fausto Carmona. By the time the Sox take the field tonight, Cleveland will have a 2-0 lead on the Bronx Bummers. This will lead to Cleveland's chance to sweep at House That Ruth Built against a questionable Roger Clemens. Ask yourself, based on what you've seen this season, would you put money on Clemens going more than 4 innings? Yeah, didn't think so.
- Over on the Senior Circuit, the Colorado Rockies look like world beaters so far against the Phillies. I predicted a Rocks victory in this series, but I didn't see the thorough dominance of the Rockies' offense over the Phillies pitching. And that has been IN Philly! If the Rockies keep this up, they might score 20 runs on Saturday when they return to the thin atmosphere of Coors Field. Could we see sweeps in 3 of the Division Series?
- Or maybe even all 4? The D-backs have looked similarly dominant over the Cubbies. I really wanted to see the Cubs make some noise this post-season and they have sorely disappointed. Now normally, one might cling to the hope that your team is about to come home. Home to storied Wrigley Field. Except for one thing. Cubs fans don't seem to care. They expect to lose. I haven't seen or heard any rallying cry eminating from the Windy City, its denizens reclusive as Steve Bartman. It is as if they have resigned themselves to this being their fate. Of course, as Sox fans, we can relate (a little) to low expectations. But the thing about Sox fans is that we are capable of mustering every ounce of team loyalty to rise to the occasion, we can temporarily forget the past and live in the moment (at least until the moment is over, then we can go back to self-doubt). So come on Cubs fans, feed this team, it will be an uphill battle, but your team still has a chance. Believe...miracles happen, just ask any Red Sox fan.
- Final thought on the weekend's baseball. At least 2 series are going to end in sweeps, and I'm picking the broom-wielders to be Boston and Colorado. I won't be surprised though if there is at least one other series that ends in 3. So what does this really mean for baseball? Nothing. It just goes to show, in my opinion, that the Wild Card works. Yes, it may have somewhat diminished the significance of being divisional champs but it is further proof that in most years, there are 4 teams in each league that can legitimately compete to be World Champions. While I can still make a legit argument for contraction, I like the Wild Card. And no, not just because it helped the Red Sox win the 2004 World Series. I swear.
- By the way, the New England Patriots play the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The Pats average margin of victory this season is 25 points. TWENTY FIVE POINTS!!!!! Somehow, I don't see this average droppin come Monday. Sorry Browns fans...you've still got the Indians and the Cavs...
- Which, however deliberately, brings me to basketball. I'm sure I'm not the only one who is excited to see KG, The Truth and Ray Allen don the Green for their first game together this afternoon in Rome, right? Right? Helloooooooooooo?
Well that's it for this Friday folks. It's all baseball, with some football and hoops tossed in for good measure. As always, Keep The Faith, Red Sox Nation...
(...and yes, I know I failed to mention that the Bruins open their season tonight)
Have a great weekend folks, throw back a pint for me.
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