Josh Beckett owned the Cleveland Indians pitching for 8 innings, tying a post season high in strikeouts with 11, gave up five hits, walked one and only allowed one run on a double play ball and Kevin Youkilis lead the offense homering, hitting a triple and driving in three runs leading Boston to a 7-1 win.
With their backs up against the wall again, Curt Schilling will be handed the ball tonight to try and force a game 7. If history is any indicator of what will happen tonight, Schilling, may have the same results Beckett had in game 5.
We all know about the bloody sock, but tonight is the night Schilling proves to baseball nation he still has it. Schilling did not fare well in his first start against Cleveland pitching for 4 2/3 innings, giving up nine hits, five runs, no walks, three strikeouts, and two homeruns.
His counter part Fausto Carmona did not pitch well either only lasting 4 innings, giving up fours runs, five walks, and five strikeouts. Much like the C.C. Sabathia vs Beckett rematch in game 5 do not expect the same results that Carmona and Schilling had in their first duel against each other.
Recipe for Success Tonight:
Schilling has to go at least until the 6th inning leaving it up to the bullpen mates of Manny Delcarman or Mike Timlin, Hideki Okajima, and Jonathan Papelbon. A mixture of that combination I feel will work tonight. As I expressed in game 5 I do not want to see Gag-Me or Lopez. If Schilling goes more than 6 innings that will be even better than my original thoughts, but I do not expect more than that from him tonight.
Surprise me Schilling, surprise me.
Boston’s offense needs to work Carmona deep into counts getting his pitch count up early making him work in hitters’ counts. Obvious recipe, but that needs to happen tonight because if Carmona gets in a groove there may be no stopping him. Carmona is that filthy.
Inserting Jacoby Ellsbury tonight into the lineup over Coco Crisp is going to show Terry Francona that Ellsbury can spark plug this lineup in the bottom of the order. I am going to guarantee here that Ellsbury has a good night tonight and anyone can hold me to it. Ellsbury is just too good.