An Even Dozen? Angels-Sox ALDS Gamer III

Being a Red Sox fan all these years produces some weird sort of disease that cannot be cured just by winning a couple World Series.

How is it that I was more confident of a Red Sox series win after Game 1 than I am now? The Sox are obviously in the best possible position, with the best possible choice taking the mound. Yet I worry. I evision Josh Beckett failing miserably, then Jon Lester being outpitched, and suddenly we're heading back to California tied at two games apiece.

It's silly, I know, but as we've said before, a lifetime of woe doesn't simply go away. Here's to a quick, easy victory tonight, so we can start worrying about Tampa Bay.

Comment away!

Comments

[Paul SF]

Of course, in contrast, we've got Mike Scioscia saying, definitively: "We're not getting eliminated tonight."

Which makes me believe they are, in fact, getting eliminated tonight.

[SF]

GO SOX!!! I hope I can chime in tonight, these late games (combined with 40th birthday festivities) have conspired to keep me from both posting and staying awake late enough to see the contests.

Man, I wish I was at Fenway...

[Paul SF]

I'll be joining a friend to watch the game from his house, so I'll be out. The Sox usually lose when we watch them; in fact, the only game the Sox have won when we've watched them together was Game 1 of the World Series last year, so I maybe we've got good playoff mojo...

[dave]

Thanks for reinforcing a stereotype the media loves. How about talking for yourself and clearly stating you don't talk for all red sox fans.

[Mike]

What stereotype? Worry?

I'm worried too-these guys are for real, and they're not rolling over because of things Donnie Moore did 24 years ago.

Worry just shows a healthy respect for the Angels' abilities.

[Atheose]

6 baserunners and only 1 run for the Angels. Hopefully Beckett will settle down.

[SF]

hahahahaha

[SF]

What a break.

[Atheose]

Holy shit that was awesome. I almost feel sorry for the Angels.

[SF]

I know that there is this rule against the official scorer calling that an error, but is there any play where a guy doesn't touch the ball that deserved to be an error more than that one? Why should those runs count as earned for Saunders, who surely doesn't deserve them.

[SF]

I should say "rule", since it is unwritten.

[stuck working]

Oh. My. God. That was unreal. Crazy, crazy break.

[Brownie]

Jackasses!

[SF]

I almost feel sorry for the Angels.

I don't. Whatever makes Scoscia unhappy makes me happy.

[SF]

Beckett is off. I think Tito should be warming someone - he's clearly not right - command not really there, just doesn't look right. I think Buck Martinez said he looked fine, but we're watching two different games apparently.

[SF]

Hunter didn't swing there. Bad call, but we'll take it.

[SF]

Lots'o pitches on both sides. Starters may be gone by the fifth, if not earlier.

[BillsBurgSF]

Beckett looks OK to me, I'm sure he is a bit rusty from having a couple of days off. His pitch count is high, but the pen should be very well rested.

[BillsBurgSF]

CRAP!!!!

[SF]

When Mike Napoli hits a ball to the moon you know your pitcher doesn't have it. Tito, get someone up NOW. This game is still way winnable.

[BillsBurgSF]

I had started posting that his breaking pitches looked OK, but deleted it when I saw the pitch count, then he leaves one out over the plate...

[BillsBurgSF]

Napoli did have 20 jacks this year FWIW.

[SF]

Maybe Beckett can scrape five innings, but I have a feeling it will be with five or six runs on the board for Anaheim.

[Atheose]

Great hit by Napoli. On that pitch I kept thinking "Don't throw fastball, he's expecting fastball" so when I saw the curve I was happy... for a split second.

[SF]

2005 Papi would have put that one in the bleachers. What the hell happened there? Terrible, terrible pitch from Saunders.

[SF]

Hell, 2004-2007 Papi would have put that out.

[SF]

Saunders is leaving everything up, I wish the Sox would jump on him.

[SF]

Another HANGER to Youkilis, who stares. The Sox aren't taking advantage.

[stuck working]

What a strange game this has been so far.

[SF]

Youk works the walk. Come on, Manny!

[SF]

Blech.

[SF]

Seriously, am I the only one watching Josh Beckett look terrible? The announcers keep harping on how he looks fluid, no problem. I don't see it.

[SF]

And now Beckett does a poor job covering first, and Tex reaches.

Seriously, this is a three-run deficit waiting to happen. I guess I am alone in this thought.

[BillsBurgSF]

SF - he looks inconsistent to me.

[SF]

The impatient, swing-happy Angels are working counts, making him strain, waiting him out. This is a sure sign that he isn't right - that his location is off, the movement isn't there, the velocity isn't as scary.

He's not right.

[BillsBurgSF]

Pen's up, I think he covered as well as he could, the ball was hit in a tough place.

[BillsBurgSF]

Pen's up, I think he covered as well as he could, the ball was hit in a tough place.

[BillsBurgSF]

OK, Buck just confirmed your thoughs SF!

[SF]

Well, my 8:37 comment is looking a bit prescient, unfortunately.

[BillsBurgSF]

Not the guy you want to see in this situation, the 3 run prediction you made SF may come true

[SF]

Train wreck, this is going to be a train wreck really soon without a bit of luck.

[SF]

And there it is: the broken bat keeps the ball in the infield.

I think we might see the pen next inning.

[BillsBurgSF]

GOT BLESS PEDROIA!!!

/channeling Ath!

[stuck working]

Phew. Got out of it, even if he never should have gotten into it.

Lester's going tomorrow if necessary, right?

[Atheose]

Woohoo! Almost had a heart attack there. That should be all for Beckett.

I've been watching in the other room in front of the big screen because it was good luck last year, and so far this year too. Hopefully Beckett will be sharper in his next start, assuming there is one this season.

[SoxFan]

Daisuke ... er Beckett has 90 plus pitches through 4 innings with 4 walks.

[BillsBurgSF]

OK, if Beckett is done, who comes in for long relief? Byrd, Wake - neither instills confidence.

Lowery with the single

[BillsBurgSF]

SW, yeah Lester is pitching tomorrow, still plenty of time to make it "not necessary"

[SF]

MDC one/two, JM, Oki, Paps. That is, if the Sox end up ahead.

[SF]

That pitch to Tek was outside. Grrr.

[BillsBurgSF]

Friggin Tek!!

[BillsBurgSF]

Friggin Tek!!

[SF]

And then the GIDP. Should have known, Tek got his hit for the rest of the series earlier tonight.

[dc]

welcome back sf...i could've lived in a cave for the last few days and just emerged knowing that the sox are on top, with their very good fortune in tact, just by your mere [active] presence in this here thread...there must be some serious confidence in the nation tonight...

toast for 2?

[dc]

;)

[SF]

What's that supposed to mean, dc?

[Atheose]

So apparently Beckett threatened to skin Tito alive if he doesn't let him start the 5th. I guess I'm cool with that, as long as there's a short leash.

[SF]

Are you making a crack, or are you seriously implying that I am here because the Sox are winning? Can you clarify?

[SF]

Beckett out for the lower part of the order, I suppose. Not sure I love this move, but Tito's bought himself a very long leash with his post-season pitching handling these last few years.

[BillsBurgSF]

Not to jump in between the two, but I think that dc means we should be grateful that the Sox are in the post season (which I think most of us are) and we shouldn't take the micro view of the Sox.

[BillsBurgSF]

NASTY HIGH HEAT! - maybe he is pissed!

[BillsBurgSF]

GET. HIM. OUT. NOW!

[SF]

Napoli again.

I don't understand why Beckett came back out.

[SF]

Another hard hit ball, Kendrick singles up the middle past Lowrie. What more does Tito need to see? I mean, IT'S A WINNABLE GAME TERRY.

[SoxFan]

Napoli with another homerun!

Hopefully, Francona has finished his nap and woken up by now.

[BillsBurgSF]

Kendrick with the single, he's looked the fool up to now, Beckett is toast. Where is the short leash Terry

[BillsBurgSF]

Nice play by Coco!

[SF]

TIto has been tremendous managing in the postseason, particularly his pitching management, but this one is befuddling. Beckett hasn't had jack shit since the first inning (at least to me he didn't) and he's riding him like he's new meat up from AAA in the second game of a doublehader after the first game was a slugfest and the bullpen was wasted.

[Atheose]

Great play by Coco, almost doubled him off. Seriously, Beckett must have threatened Tito with a knife to stay out here this long.

[SF]

"He was doubled up but Youkilis couldn't handle the throw"

Uh, the ball hit the runner. What's he supposed to do, Buck, use that secret octopus tentacle and reach around Kendrick?

[dc]

just kidding sf...you saw the smiley, so relax...i saw your explanation for not being around...i'm allowed to have fun with you guys even though my team sucks and isn't in it, i think...i'm fairly sure you guys would be poking at us...

[SF]

Inning over, thankfully. That better be it for Beckett.

Not a good job at all, he was lucky to only allow four.

[BillsBurgSF]

OK, he's done now right?!?!?! Come on Tito, get MDC up and throwing now!

[SF]

no prob, dc, I assumed you were kidding which is why I didn't respond and wanted to make sure.

I don't know how we can be expected to stay up for those west coast games, particularly those of us with two little kids (and also a birthday celebration one night!).

Tonight won't be too hard to weather, other than what appears to be a negative result at the moment.

[dc]

"...Beckett hasn't had jack shit since the first inning ..."

maybe tito has been seduced by the 6 k's, sf...dunno, i don't think beckett is that bad right now...pitch count might be an issue though...i think the geniuses at tbs/tnt said he's over 1500...

[dc]

"...no prob, dc..."

...thanks for understanding, sf...i gotta have some fun...this season has been a stinker for me...

[SF]

Ells!

Anderson was scared of the monster there, slowed up - looked like he basically flinched.

[dc]

angel outfielders need some of that football stickem'-stuff in their gloves...

[SF]

This ump does a weird fist-pump after close pitches, I keep thinking he's calling a strike but it's not. It's confusing as all hell.

[BillsBurgSF]

Looks a bit low to me too Dustin!

[SF]

Oof, Pedroia started to first on a close one that the ump calls a strike. Borderline, looked off the plate to me and based on previous calls. Oh well. Maybe he'll get a hit now!

[BillsBurgSF]

Jacoby - game changer on the bases, even when he doesn't steal.

[SF]

That was a good pitch from Saunders, jamming Pedro. 3-2...

[SF]

Shit. Pedroia doesn't get the job done. Ellsbury stuck at second after fouling out to Napoli.

[SF]

Need Jacoby to run a little...probably not happening with Tizzle at the plate though.

[BillsBurgSF]

Come on Papi, get one here!

[dc]

hats off to beckett, sounds like he's done...not his best effort of course, but after 5 with a runner in scoring position for the sox, he kept his team in it...not bad...

[SF]

Shaping up like a tough squander right now...Tiz down 0-2.

[BillsBurgSF]

Napoli have a good arm?

[BillsBurgSF]

Saunders win's this one

[Atheose]

Ortiz K's. For a split second I thought "That's okay, Manny is up next and he owned lefties." Sad face.

Come on Youk!

[SF]

Papi looks awful, strikes out on three pitches.

This will be a deflating failure if Ellsbury gets stranded at second with 3-4-5 having had their hacks.

Very frustrating so far, I think that bad call to Pedroia has cost the Sox quite a good deal here.

[BillsBurgSF]

Seems like Youk should have more than 2 hits this series. He's due?

[SF]

Sorry, 2-3-4.

[SF]

Youk swinging a bit flat-footed, looks a bit uncomfortable.

[BillsBurgSF]

YOUK! YOUK! YOUK!

[SF]

And of course he CRUSHES one to center as soon as I hit "post"! Double ties the game!

[SF]

Thanks goodness for Youk, that would have been a very tough squander.

[SF]

Damn, how much did that miss by!?

[BillsBurgSF]

Just a bit foul!