With one win, it all changed.
Monday morning, the Red Sox were underdogs. They were banged up, out of sorts, missing a slugger, missing their ace, facing a team that had destroyed them all season long. The line of doubters ran long.
Tuesday morning, the Red Sox were favorites. Battle-tested, experienced, a powerhouse, doing what it took to win against a team who last beat them in the playoffs before some of these players were even born.
It all changed for a reason -- the Sox are in control. Had they lost Monday, tonight would have been a must-win. Instead, the pressure's all on Los Angeheim, in danger of going down 0-2 with Josh Beckett seemingly ready to go in Game 3. Tonight's the time when Daisuke Matsuzaka must buckle down, when the Red Sox must remind Ervin Santana that he's the only Angel pitcher with a loss against them this season.
So far, all the teams who have won the first games of their series have won the second, as well. Keeping that trend going would put the Red Sox in fine position heading to Fenway. Fine position indeed.
Comment away!
Lineups and stats courtesy the Globe:
SAWX:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF (.000/.000,/000, 3 at-bats)
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B (.000/.000/.000, 3 ab)
3. David Ortiz, DH (.556/.636/1.111, 9 ab)
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B (.500/.667/.500, 2 ab)
5. J.D. Drew, RF (.286/.286/.429, 7 ab)
6. Jason Bay, LF (Has never faced Santana)
7. Mark Kotsay, 1B (.389/.450/.500, 18 ab)
8. Jason Varitek, C (.000/.111/.000), 8 ab)
9. Alex Cora, SS (.667/.750/1.667. 3 ab)
-- Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP
That's a bottom third to be ashamed of.
No word on the Angels lineup yet.
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Yeah, that bottom third makes me a little queasy. I wish the game would just start already so we can see which Dice-K got out of bed this morning.
Posted by: rootbeerfloat | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 06:13 PM
I'll be Friday-Night-Lightsing it up, so I'll be texting for updates on my non-Internet-connected phone (that's sooo 2005).
Posted by: Paul SF | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 07:09 PM
ya know, i warned paul about gloating...here's hoping the angels break out a can of whoop-ass on dice-k tonight and beat the sox by double digits...i try to be objective, but when a sox fan starts acting like what they hate most about yank fans, it makes me want the other team to snap that sox fan back to reality...i'm probably wrong, but hope is what makes us, uh, hope...
Posted by: dc | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 07:32 PM
The question is, will Caballito stick?
http://www.bostonsportsmedia.com/2008/10/where-did-chip-carey-get-caballito-from
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 08:06 PM
Glad to have you along, dc.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Man, at work today yfsf.org wouldn't load at all. Glad to see it's working at home!
I know Kotsay has a good record against Santana, but I still cringe to see him in there over Casey. Then again I didn't like Ellsbury leading off on Wednesday, and we all know how that worked out. In Tito we trust.
Posted by: Atheose | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Wow, this place really does have an extreme Sox bias. You'll talk about politics and post homages to Torre but you won't link to Simmons' ode to Manny? Why won't the YF moderators, at least, link to something very relevant for this site? But pissing on Yankees reaching milestones is fair game?
Posted by: davey yf | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Aww, bitter davey?
Posted by: Atheose | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Not at all - I've seen the Yanks win four rings in my brief life and one in person. It's good that the wealth gets spread around - to the Rays especially. The brand new stadium also helps too.
But this site - call it what it is: 90% sox fans. It sure as heck ain't a 50/50 split and especially with how the moderators treat content. That Simmons article is fantastic but not a peep here. Somehow I think "bitter" has ALOT to do with THAT.
Posted by: davey yf | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Well, you caught the site at an interesting time, with the Sox in the playoffs and other teams, not. So that might explain the disparity right now.
The Simmons article was a decent read (took two sittings). Not quite vintage SG, but close to what he does best. The thing is though, Simmons isn't a journalist, and he's not a Baseball analyst along the lines of BP et al. He's just a fan. A sometimes entertaining fan, but I don't really see how that Manny article is breaking news or anything. The Manny issue was hashed out around here for the entire month of August.
Posted by: FenSheaParkway | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Another point on Simmons: He's a Sox fan, but not really a Baseball fan like he is for football and basketball. So his Baseball articles include a lot of hyperventilating. I mean, what was his thesis? That Scott Boras is a greedy d-bag? Gee, thanks Bill.
Posted by: FenSheaParkway | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:11 PM
You're right, it's not a 50/50 split--it's actually 6 Yankees Fans and 2 Sox Fans that moderate the site. Perhaps the fact that the Yankees are out of contention and have been for several months is the reason for the lack of YF posters recently?
Posted by: Atheose | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:14 PM
I'm not buying it. There were alot of good nuggets in that article that I've never read anywhere else and especially good analysis of the Sox and their management (like how they completely control their entire media market). I just want to know why the SF moderators post negative Yankee stuff, even when there's so little of it, but I never see contrary opinions from the multitude of YF moderators. There can be a glaring homage to Torre alongside a takedown of Moose but a huge profile on the real guy behind the Dodgers' success, and examining why it went bad with the Sox, isn't linked by anyone?
I mean if you guys admitted the extreme Sox bias that would be one thing. But it's like you want to pretend it's all equal (and I've been reading off and on since earlier in the season), when it's clearly not.
Posted by: davey yf | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:19 PM
I'm done. I've got better things to do, and more enjoyable, than slam my head repeatedly into a wall of willful, and spiteful, ignorance.
Posted by: davey yf | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Davey, if you don't like it you can watch Gilmore Girls.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:22 PM
Is davey really a yf reincarnated?
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:22 PM
willful and spiteful ignorance.
WTF does that mean?
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:23 PM
Or, since the article just came out and we're in the middle of the playoffs, we wanted to focus on the good things going forward? Peruse the past posts; there are plenty of negative articles about the Red Sox, Red Sox players, or front office.
Or you can jump in here, complain, and then run away saying "I've got better things to do." Typical internet troll.
Posted by: Atheose | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:24 PM
You're probably right Bill!
Posted by: Atheose | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:25 PM
By the way, I know we complain about the Red Sox stranding runners, but that White Sox game today was horrible. 15 baserunners and only 2 runs.
Posted by: Atheose | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:28 PM
I hope no one spent a fortune printing "Windy City Series" t-shirts last week. Not unless they were planning on selling them exclusively to St. Louis fans.
Posted by: FenSheaParkway | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:34 PM
And what's the point of posting the link if he's already read it.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Two on for Nancy.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:43 PM
NANCY!
1-0 good guys.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:45 PM
JD JD JD!!!
Posted by: mike c | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:47 PM
JB JB JB!!!
Posted by: mike c | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:48 PM
FUCKING CRUSHED TO CENTER!!!
3-run dong from Bay!!
4-0 SOX!!!
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:48 PM
Jason. Fucking. Bay.
Manny who?
Posted by: Atheose | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:51 PM
i'm a bayliever...
hey bill, the gilmore girls joke is mine...
glad to be aboard...let's quit the bickering all and enjoy some baseball...
Posted by: dc | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:54 PM
Didn't mean to steal it, dc. Just came to me.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 09:58 PM
maybe i missed it, but how come nobody's commented on vlad's clever impersonation of the playoff arod...i think he just got his 2nd hit in 52 at bats...did i hear that right?
Posted by: dc | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Damn. Needed to shut them down.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Jesus. 5 outs, 8 hits so far.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 10:01 PM
But at least Dice-K is throwing strikes.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Even arod's been better than that.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 10:02 PM
"I hope no one spent a fortune printing "Windy City Series" t-shirts last week. Not unless they were planning on selling them exclusively to St. Louis fans."
They're already on their way to Burma.
These people just realized they're now stuck with the Bears.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 10:04 PM
On that run-scoring play, anyone think Cora might have had a play at 2nd if Pedroia went to the bag?
Posted by: Bkln-SF | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 10:07 PM
ya just watching the replay on my iPhone - Pedroia ranged way into SS territory and boxed Cora out - love Ped but he's still young and eager I guess
Posted by: Bkln-SF | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 10:14 PM
or maybe it would have been past Cora and Pedey was aiming to stop the runner at 3rd - talking to myself about trivial stuff ... what is it, Friday around here?
Posted by: Bkln-SF | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Close call--Hunter injured on the play. Cora should have charged it.
Posted by: Atheose | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Torii Hunter = Martin Grammatica
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 10:40 PM
I LOVE that kid!
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Yeah Jacoby!!
Posted by: Bkln-SF | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 10:46 PM
All five Red Sox runs - all six in the game - with 2 outs.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 10:49 PM
YES!
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Just logging in - glad to see the score. Didn't anyone think to mention to that davey character that stuckworking linked to the Simmons article sometime yesterday? I don't really know how to point to the right place but it's somewhere in the thread with "Bayby" in the title.
Posted by: rootbeerfloat | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Papi fouls one off his foot, crowd cheers. WTF?
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, October 03, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Was that Drew catch at the wall as close to a home run as ESPN Radio made it sound?
I'm stuck with radio, since my local Red Sox bar in Upstate New York lost its liquor license and is dark tonight (don't ask).
Posted by: Hudson | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 12:05 AM
Wow. Rough inning for the pen. 5-4 now. Might we see Paps for two?
More likely, I guess we'll see Masterson start the eighth and Paps come in at the first baserunner.
Insurance!
Posted by: Paul SF | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 12:39 AM
Masterson gets out of it. Whew.
Posted by: Atheose | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 12:40 AM
Remember, this time last year when the Sox bullpen had The Gagne in it, and everyone was dreading his appearance in a game?
Good times.
Posted by: SoxFan | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 12:44 AM
Pedroia really unlucky tonight.
Posted by: Atheose | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 12:51 AM
Should have gone with Lopez against the lefty. Papelbon in for a 6-out save with the tying run on 3rd.
Posted by: Atheose | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 12:54 AM
Great 3 outs by Papelbon, only 7 pitches. Unfortunately there was a runner on 3rd, so the game is tied.
Please no extra innings?
Posted by: Atheose | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 01:03 AM
DREW TAKES THE LEAD!
Posted by: Atheose | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 01:12 AM
DREW
that is all
Posted by: Dionysus | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 01:12 AM
Bay and Drew have had wonderful nights.
Come on Paps. You can sleep all day tomorrow, just KILL
Posted by: Dionysus | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 01:17 AM
Incredible play by Youk
Posted by: Dionysus | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 01:27 AM
Aaaaaannd J.D. and Paps combine to break the Halos' spirit.
Take that, K-Rod.
(I don't know what it is about the Sox and the Angels in the postseason, but I likes it.)
Posted by: Hudson | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 01:28 AM
The fat lady is starting to sing.
Posted by: SoxFan | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 01:30 AM
BALLGAME!
Posted by: Atheose | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 01:30 AM
Woooo! I was in my car, middle of nowhere West Texas, hitting "Scan" on the car radio, hoping some vestige of an AM ESPN Radio affiliate would come through so I could listen to the game.
I found one with papi ons econd and Drew at the plate. Just before the home run. I started screaming in the car, pumping my fist and baging the steering wheel. Great ballgame. Just great.
Posted by: Paul SF | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 02:10 AM
I was sitting outside with friends, at a campfire, completely disengaged from the conversation, antisocial. Then Drew goes tater.
Wow. Fucking wow. I love this game.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 02:18 AM
Oh. We had it on the radio.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 02:19 AM
My buddy is a White Sox fan. Completely depressed and pissed, despite the fact that the Cubs are on the brink of a monumental choke.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 02:20 AM
I was jumping up and dancing, screaming, throwing things after Nancy's homer. They're laughing at me. What a night, what a game.
Drew comes up in the 9th, I say, C'mon, Nancy.
She says, "Huh?"
I say, "He seems to do better when I call him Nancy." Then I blew on the fire.
One pitch later ...
BLAM!!!
Look at me jump and dance. I'm half drunk.
What a game.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 02:23 AM
just back from the bar out here in so. cal. angel fans are a very angry breed tonite. must have spent $80 in jameson shots for broken hearted baseball brethren. why should the sox winning cost me money? at least the guy who accused me personally of killing donnie moore apologized.
oh, yeah...the juice is going to jail for life.
today was a good day.
Posted by: sf rod | Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 04:34 AM