All things being said, splitting the first two games of the ALCS is a good thing. The Sox managed to steal a game on the road in a hostile environment. Now they come back to Fenway with a good chance to put the Rays on the ropes. Dice-K is pitching well. Our ace is set up for Game Three. Youkilis, Bay and Pedroia have been offensive juggernauts. So really, everything is fine. The Sox are in control. I will remain positive. I must remain positive. I couldn't have asked for anything more...
...oh screw this! Game Two was a missed opportunity. Not in the sense that the Sox had any business winning that mess, but because it was a game that may well come back to haunt the Sox. It was a game that has changed the complexion of this series and left a massive pit in the bottom of my stomach. Random gripes:
- First off, why was an injury hobbled Beckett even pitching in this game? He looked terrible in the ALDS. Not to mention, Lester was rested enough and could have gotten the start. This would have had the added bonus of setting Lester up for Game Six. Now, we'll be lucky if we see Lester twice in this series.
- Second, why did Francona send the ailing Beckett back out in the bottom of the fifth inning after the Sox had just reclaimed the lead? Even more puzzling, why did he stick with an erratic Beckett after Carlos Peña singled to tie the game? It was clear to everyone that Beckett's fastball lacked velocity and his breaking pitches lacked that important thing called break.
- Third, why was Francona playing wheel of relievers early in the game, leaving the Sox with few options late in the game? Delcarmen, Okajima and Masterson all pitched well, they just did so over the course of a miserly 3.1 innings.
- Fourth, why Timlin? Sure it was the bottom of the Ray's order, but its not like the Sox were out of options. A healthy, reliable inning-eating relief pitcher was busy waiting on the bench.
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