You all know what happened last night at Yankee Stadium. Roger Clemens didn't have his best stuff, but the Red Sox sure made him look like he was dealing. Josh Beckett didn't have his best stuff either, but he did all right except for that one bad inning. And then Francona left him in at least one batter too long, to allow the home run to A-Rod that ended up being the difference in the game.
Yankees' fans would have you believe that a sweep today would make the A.L. East an actual race. I'm somewhat inclined to disagree on that one. Yes, a win for the Yanks would put the deficit at only five. But that's still a five game deficit with around thirty games to go. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it would take a lot of effort.
The Red Sox have not played well the last two games. If we look at history, this isn't all that surprising. A good Red Sox team traditionally plays differently against the Yankees. Over at Depressed Fan today, he brought up last year's five-game sweep. I don't think there's any way to equate this set of games with those five at Fenway. The Red Sox were injured, the pitching staff was sucking, and the Sox went into that series down 1.5 games, not up eight. They have a bit of a cushion, and they know it, and that changes things.
I think the Yankees could sweep today, and the Red Sox will still go on to play well against the Orioles at home this weekend. There's a chance the Red Sox didn't really feel the need to win these last two games (hence the reason Manny is sitting) because they had such a huge lead. Maybe today they'll wake up, and maybe they won't. Either way, it's not do or die.
I do hope for a win today, obviously, and maybe Curt Schilling will surprise me. But I'm not expecting miracles. Wang is good, and he'll probably be good today. If the Red Sox lose, of course, the media (and Yankee fans) will tell you there is panic in
Yankees' fans would have you believe that a sweep today would make the A.L. East an actual race. I'm somewhat inclined to disagree on that one. Yes, a win for the Yanks would put the deficit at only five. But that's still a five game deficit with around thirty games to go. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it would take a lot of effort.
The Red Sox have not played well the last two games. If we look at history, this isn't all that surprising. A good Red Sox team traditionally plays differently against the Yankees. Over at Depressed Fan today, he brought up last year's five-game sweep. I don't think there's any way to equate this set of games with those five at Fenway. The Red Sox were injured, the pitching staff was sucking, and the Sox went into that series down 1.5 games, not up eight. They have a bit of a cushion, and they know it, and that changes things.
I think the Yankees could sweep today, and the Red Sox will still go on to play well against the Orioles at home this weekend. There's a chance the Red Sox didn't really feel the need to win these last two games (hence the reason Manny is sitting) because they had such a huge lead. Maybe today they'll wake up, and maybe they won't. Either way, it's not do or die.
I do hope for a win today, obviously, and maybe Curt Schilling will surprise me. But I'm not expecting miracles. Wang is good, and he'll probably be good today. If the Red Sox lose, of course, the media (and Yankee fans) will tell you there is panic in
Red Sox Nation. Don't believe it. There certainly won't be any panic
over here. I don't believe a sweep today will send the Red Sox into a tailspin. They will keep winning, and the Yankees will have to do the same if they hope to take the East. Otherwise, they can have the Wild Card, and we can all giggle when Yankee fans tell us that all that really matters is getting to the playoffs any way they can (a different tune than they've sung in recent years).
Oh, and I've got time today, so I think I'll be doing some live blogging.
Player of the Game for Wednesday: Kevin Youkilis. His home run off Farnsworth made it a game.
Oh, and I've got time today, so I think I'll be doing some live blogging.
Player of the Game for Wednesday: Kevin Youkilis. His home run off Farnsworth made it a game.
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