Sure, if all breaks right this upcoming series at the Trop, the Red Sox could find themselves in first place with an opportunity to finish first two straight years since 1915-1916.
Yes, it’s been that long since the Red Sox could lay claim to first place two years in a row and if they can improbably pull it off this year, it will only be the third time in the history of the Red Sox, the first accomplishment coming in 1903 and 1904.
Clearly, history is not on our side as we head into the second set of crucial games against the upstart Tampa Bay Rays. Once we’re done with the Rays we have to contend with the Jays yet again before we finish off the schedule with relatively easy jaunts with Cleveland and New York (remember back when we thought those would be tooth-and-nail dogfights?).
The Rays have also added a weapon that the Sox will have to contend against (most notably David Ortiz) in pitching phenom David Price, who dominated all three levels of the minor leagues before debuting yesterday against the New York Yankees as a reliever. Price, who should have a long and fruitful All-Star career as a starter, is looking to channel 2002 Francisco Rodriguez and 2007 Joba Chamberlain to give the Rays one last kick to the finish line.
Oh, and Evan Longoria will be back at the hot corner, too.
Is it too much to ask the Sox to win two of three or sweep the trio of games at a stadium where we have yet to win this year? Well, keep in mind that many felt it was out of the Rays’ grasp to do just that last week, but they exorcised their personal Fenway demons by taking advantage of a fastball-happy Jonathan Papelbon and a curious penchant for our sluggers to leave men on base.
The pitching matchup in this series doesn’t tilt appreciably to one team, but it does give the Sox a very good chance at winning each game. The Gun from the Rising Sun, Daisuke Matsuzaka, will toe the hill against Sox-killer Scott Kazmir. Fact: Dice-K has a lower ERA by .02 points.
The middle game has Josh Beckett, rounding into his prime just in time for the morbidly depressing soggy fall extending its tentacles into Boston. (Yes, I’m bitter.) He’ll be opposed by Andy Sonnastine, and theoretically, this should be the easiest game to win vis-?
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A sweep would be huge, but I’m not counting on it. Let’s win the 1st one and then go from there. the 3,4,5,6 hitters will be key tonight. If history is any indication, Dustin will get his against Kazmir, it’s up to those guys to get him in. I don’t think we’ll see Price until the 3rd game since he pitched 5.1 innings last night and I’m sure the Rays will be gentle with him.
I’m expecting at least one win from the Trop, but no more as I see people spouting guarantees usually end up jinxing the matter. Yes I’m superstitious like that and so far I’ve been proven right with the Super Bowl and us playing the Rays. Here’s some issues:
1. Potentially sleepy offense – Barring the 7-0 and comeback win, the Sox have that tendency to show horrible plate discipline (Youk/Lowell I’m looking at you) and just not connect well. Hopefully they’re out of that funk when they get to the Trop.
2. The LOBsters – A HUGE Red Sox killer. Hits must connect for the love of God. Jacoby I don’t know how adventurous you are but a stolen base or two would help that whole scoring position thing.
3. BecKKKKKett – That’s the Josh we need, not the “Get My Ass Handed To Me By Toronto” Becks. I understand the injury sets limitations but a repeat of his previous outing against Tampa combined with a decent offense would be nice.
4. Bullpen – I have no idea what possessed the pen do be so good barring Timlin, but I’d love to see it again.
5. Walksuzaka – DO NOT WANT
6. Wake – We need 2007 “Destroy the Trop Like a Florida Hurricane” Wakefield.
Nearly forgot…
7. Papelbon, Papelbon, PAPELBON – I seriously don’t know if the Bot needs another Energizer battery, but his outings are concerning me and after what happened against the Rays in Fenway, my Spider Sense now tingles when I see his face on the mound.
We will come out of the Trop somewhere between 2 games ahead and 4 games behind, with 10 games remaining in the season. We all know that anything can happen, and probably will, but if it does, the Sox are unique in having the depth, experience, and promising rookies to cope with it.
We also know that Tito will have to manage this depth and experience actively and for maximum impact each inning, because that’s exactly what his counterpart will be doing.
I think more important than winning this series and/or the division is preparing our veterans for the post-season. I know the Angels look tough this year, but if we sacrifice a win or two for our regulars to get some rest and our rotation to be set for October, I think we can beat any team we face … obviously Tito is smart enough to know this as well, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a second place finish.
On the other hand, I didn’t realize the Sox only won back-to-back division titles twice in their history (wow). So that would be great to see!!
Ryne:
Much to the chagrin of Sox fans who want total victory, Terry Francona plays like that. I agree with it. You should play your team to get in the playoffs and not push the envelope. If we don’t get the AL East but get the WC, that’s fine by me. I mean it’s not like we’re conceding it to the Yankees…it’d be to the Rays who quite frankly deserve it if we don’t get it. Either way, Sox make the playoffs where we’ve been good so far and the Yanks get nothing. Everybody wins.
The greatest phenomenon of 2008 has been my Yankee fan-friends who this year are “so” pumped for the NFL season … weird, why aren’t the into September baseball this year?
You mean as pumped as they were only to see Favre and the Jets fall to a Brady-less Patriots team? NY would probably have to bank on the Giants again but this time teams like the Packers and Cowboys beg to differ.
Go Red Sox..Go Giants.. Last year was great to be a fan of those 2 teams. I hope for the same this year..
OH Yeah. Death,Taxes,The pats beating the Jets..
Cassel >>> Brady
which, if you combine NCAA and NFL, means
Leinart >>> Brady
… wow