You’ll have to excuse me if there’s a lack of posting from me today as I am feeling a little bit under the weather. I’m just sick to my stomach after watching the performance of the Boston Red Sox last night in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Being a Red Sox fan and trying to find a positive for them from last night’s game is nearly impossible. It’s unthinkable because before your favorite team even bats, they are already trailing 3-0 and they have to face a pitcher in Andy Sonnanstine who hadn’t given up a run against the Red Sox in 2008. And he just did what he did all season, shut down the Red Sox. By the time the Red Sox had scored 3 runs off of Sonnanstine, it was a little too late.
It also doesn’t help when they are trailing 6-1 and maybe, just maybe still have a chance that Manny Delcarmen decides to have another Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde performance and the game becomes out of reach.
If you really want to know why the Red Sox are in this predicament, just take a look at these numbers from the last 3 starts (Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Tim Wakefield). The trio has combined to give up 23 hits and 19 runs (17 earned) in just 12 2/3 innings. And that folks is why the Red Sox trail the Rays 3-1 in the ALCS.
If you’re thinking of giving up on this team, recent history dictates that you don’t. Think back to 2004 when the Red Sox were trailing the Yankees. I think you know what happened that year. Think back to last year when the Red Sox were trailing the Cleveland Indians 3-1 and they had to face C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona. I think you know what happened then too. Plus, a real fan never gives up.
The Red Sox do have the right three pitchers lined up to get out of this hole they are in. Of course, two of them are partially responsible for this deficit. They will need Daisuke Matsuzaka to once again throw the game of his life on Thursday night and then hope for either Lester or Beckett to return to form on Saturday night in a potential Game 6 and the other of the two who doesn’t pitch Game 6 to get it done in a potential Game 7 on Sunday.
Can the Red Sox do it? The Red Sox think so as this was seen on the dry erase board in the clubhouse after the game:
“Come Packed on Thursday, Oct. 16, 08,”
The Red Sox have a long fight ahead of themselves.
The Tampa Bay Rays are running towards history.
The Red Sox are not hitting the panic button despite the 3-1 deficit.
The Rays power surge is coming at the right time.
Former Marlins manager Jack McKeon thinks Josh Beckett is ailing.
Andy Sonnanstine was once again magnificent for the Rays.
History is on the Red Sox side as they once again find themselves trailing 3-1 in an ALCS.
The Rays aren’t sure if they’ll use Scott Kazmir or James Shields to start Game 5 on Thursday.
The Red Sox will be without the services of Mike Lowell as he is set to undergo surgery on Monday for the torn labrum in his hip.
David Ortiz is still dealing with some lingering pain and soreness in his wrist.
Trot Nixon is still a hit at Fenway Park.
Dan Roche of WBZ-TV wonders if it the Red Sox can get it done.
If you missed the postgame press conferences, here are the transcripts for Terry Francona (video above), Joe Maddon, Andy Sonnanstine and Carl Crawford.
Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com has some audio clips from after the game.
The Boston Globe scribes have their video analysis of Game 4 over at Extra Bases.
Red over at Surviving Grady says we have the Rays right where we want them.
For more playoff slices of Boston Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Hartford Courant and Providence Journal websites.
And if you must see what the enemy papers are saying you can check out the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times websites.
