In the Playoff Pulse series, our MLB editor takes on a hot October topic.With a rather sizable assist from Mike Scioscia's hubris-fueled devotion to smallball, the Red Sox are headed back to the ALCS for the fourth time in six years. If recent history tells us anything, Boston might fall behind early -- as it did against New York in 2004 (3-0) and Cleveland in 2007 (3-1) -- but it will find a way to win the series.
These are, after all, the Red Sox. They've been there before. They're Major League Baseball's model franchise. They have dominant starting pitching, a lights-out closer and a mix of experienced veterans and budding youngsters.
But while Boston basks in another winning playoff series, let's take a moment to consider how many problems it is facing as it tries to win another World Series and establish baseball's first dynasty since the Yankees of the late 1990s.
There is a veritable laundry list of concerns:
Start with Mike Lowell, last year's World Series MVP. Lowell hobbled through Game 1 and did the same in Game 3, but by the time Jon Lester threw the first pitch of Game 4, the third baseman was off the ALDS roster, a move that will keep him out of the ALCS as well. Frankly, even if Boston makes the World Series it would be very surprising if he played again this year.
The Red Sox will make do with Kevin Youkilis at third and a combination of Mark Kotsay, Sean Casey and likely Jeff Bailey at first base, but they're a weaker team on both sides of the ball without Lowell.
Add in J.D. Drew and his balky back. Sure, Drew had the dramatic, titanic blast in Game 2 off of record-setting closer Francisco Rodriguez, but he sat out the next game. With all of the fits and starts he's had trying to return to game action, it seems like his back could go at any point. At the very least, he probably won't be in the lineup for every game of the ALCS.
Also add a middle relief corps that, were it not for a Vladimir Guerrero's horrific baserunning blunder in Game 1 and Scioscia's appalling suicide squeeze in Game 4, may very well have blown the series for the Red Sox.
And finish with Josh Beckett, the erstwhile postseason ace, who struggled through five innings in Game 3 against the Angels. Beckett could be hurt. His ALDS start was pushed back because of a strained oblique, and given the problems he had with his command and control, that injury could have been affecting him. Beckett and the team both insist he is healthy.
He could also be rusty -- indeed that seems like the only other explanation considering the right-hander's past postseason exploits. Beckett was idle for a dozen days between his final regular season start and his turn in the ALDS. Either way, he's gone from money in the bank in October 2007 to an enigma in October 2008.
Hey, these are the charmed Red Sox of the new millenium. Maybe a three-headed Kotsay-Casey-Bailey monster will do the trick at first base. Maybe J.D. Drew's back will cooperate a few more weeks. Maybe all Josh Beckett needed was a tuneup in the division series to dominate for the rest of the month. But that's an awful lot of question marks for a team trying to win it all.
The Rays only had one question facing them: Would the bright lights of October be so blinding that they'd wilt on the big stage because of their inexperience? They answered that doubt pretty authoritatively in Chicago a few hours before Jed Lowrie sent the Red Sox into the ALCS.
Yesterday's Hero: B.J. Upton, who was on a power binge over the final two games against the White Sox. Honorable mention to Jon Lester, Jed Lowrie and Torii Hunter.
Yesterday's Goat: Mike Scioscia, Mike Scioscia, Mike Scioscia, a thousand times Mike Scioscia. Dishonorable mention to ... oh, forget it, everyone else pales in comparison.
Quick Hits: It would have been cool to see the Cubs in the NLCS, but, really, can you complain about these two matchups? ... The Dodgers and Phillies announced their Game 1 starters. No surprises here. Derek Lowe gets the ball for Los Angeles, while Cole Hamels will toe the rubber for Philadelphia. ... We have a good idea how the Rays will align their rotation: Shields-Kazmir-Garza-Sonnanstine. What about the Red Sox? Much of it hinges on Beckett. Jon Lester could start Game 2 on normal rest, but if Boston really believes Beckett is healthy, he could also. That would set up a Matsuzaka-Beckett-Lester-Wakefield foursome.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-07-2008 @ 6:09AM
K Smith said...
Yes, many ??? but MANY more answers. The Sox beat the team with the best record in baseball while Dustin Pedroia was going 1 - 16.
The Rays and the Sox are, and have been for the last 2 months, the two best teams in baseball. Either team can win. It should be a real nail-biter of a series.
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10-07-2008 @ 10:02AM
Ray said...
Born and bred in the Boston area, I am a die hard Red Sox fan, I live and die with them, they are a part of who I am as a person.
that being said, I don't think they have enough juice to get through to the series. The rays look good, I mean GOOD. They have all season. We look tired, look into the face of Beckett when he pitches, there is no dominant swagger as he tosses it in. Look at Big Papi's face, he is lonely without his best bud Manny.
The one thing that comforts me and calms me is Tito Francona, what a manager. This guy is seriously the coolest player on the field. I love watching this guy manage.
This series will go 7 games, I think the experience the Red Sox have in the playoffs make it a different kind of matchup than it was in the regular season. I don't have a prediction because I think the rays could VERY well take the series.
If I was forced to predict a world series matchup, I would say it is going to be LA and Tampa. I think Manny is playing out of his mind to stick it to the Sox for the way he has perceived his treatment in Boston.
Either way, we all win because it is going to be AWESOME baseball. I love October man. LOVE IT.
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10-07-2008 @ 11:10PM
Mike C said...
Mr. Johnson...First of all, I'm a Red Sox fan. You are like other sportwriters who fill in empty spaces with one-sided commentary. If the squeeze would have worked, what would you had said? It's easy to criticize when you're off the field. He did NOT miss the bunt, the BATTER did. I think it would have worked, much to my chagrin. Probably what was on his mind were all the other runners the Angels left stranded previously and this was the time to try it. I praise Mr. Scioscia for his gutsy decision for manufacturing possibly the wiinning run and NOT regretting his decision.
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10-08-2008 @ 12:15AM
sue said...
I agree.........If the squeeze worked everyone would be saying that Mike is a genius.....What a manager.blah blah blah.....
On another note.........I am a SOX fan born and bred....live and die. win or lose.......We are in for a treat. But I don't think it is going to happen this year. Too many injuries. Tto has been a magician all season but I think he is out of tricks. I also didn't think we would get by the Angels...I watch poor Mike Lowell play and what bothers me the most is the fact that he is all heart. Wants more than anything to help his team, same with Schilling, Lugo, JD Drew, I could go on and on......and just a few months ago we watched Manny dog it for about a month and half...when nothing was wrong with him and then suddenly a miracle happens and he is on fire.......He is a bad person. I would take 100 Mike Lowell's over Manny any day of the week. If the Sox do not win it all this year one of the reasons would be because we no longger have Manny. But believe the team is much better off without him. It may take a few years to build up the batting order again.Who cares........It's a start.....Thats how much Boston believes in Theo and Tito..
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10-08-2008 @ 8:27AM
james said...
ray your not a true sox fan if you think they are gonna lose either that or your weak! they are gonna beat tampa just like the angels member that
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10-08-2008 @ 9:26AM
Mike said...
I see Scioscia is still crying in his milk about the call at third base and that an ESPN weenie is agreeing with him. I've watched the play over and over again in slowmo, and it's clear that the tag was made and that a sufficient amount of "possession time" had passed between the time of the tag and when the ball was jarred loose as Varitek fell and his glove hit the ground. It was the fall that caused the ball to come out of the glove, not the play. Possession was satisfied. Even the broadcasters were clear in agreeing with the call. As for Lackey's comments--Angels a better team? You play in a weak division and the Sox continue to destroy you in series play. DEAL WITH IT!
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10-08-2008 @ 11:32AM
chickee said...
ANOTHER AOL PICTURE (BECKETT) OF A SCREAMING ATHLETE. WHAT IS IT WITH THEM???
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10-08-2008 @ 11:35AM
Jay said...
It's like robbing a bank. You grab the loot, don't get caught and live the rest of your life in luxury. You get caught and spend the rest of your life in a prison cell.
If the squeeze worked, Johnson would be stating, "Scioscia forced a successful and unexpected suicide squeeze offering the pivotal play that won the game and the series epitomizing the true nature of the Angels 'no risk, no gain' approach to the entire season. The man is a genius."
Instead Johnson is saying, "Scioscia, Scioscia, Scioscia," as if he was a family member of the Brady Bunch proclaiming, :"Marcia, Marcia, Marcia."
It is amazing how smart a journalist can be after the game is over.
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10-08-2008 @ 12:04PM
rene said...
I am cheering on the Dodgers, Joe Torre and Manny. Should be interesting if the WS is Boston and LA.
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10-08-2008 @ 4:06PM
Mary said...
I have this fantasy about the Red Sox and Dodgers playing in the World Series. DLowe pitching, Manny and Nomar behind him...what a series! My sons say "sure Mom, as long as the Red Sox win". But I'd like to see it either way. The Dodgers were my team until they left Brooklyn, then it has been the Red Sox since the 60's.
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10-08-2008 @ 5:00PM
MATT said...
I am from Boston, so saying that I am A hugh Red Sox fan. BUT my life is not if the Sox win or lose, I still need to go to work. Make no mistake about it, I do want them to win. We have injuries, but so did the Rays during the season, (Longoria, Crawford) to name a couple. Everyone, well most everyone in Baseball thought they were done. My hats off to you Tampa, job well done, you deserve to be in the ALCS. Now both teams have nagging injuries, lets not make this an issue. The better team will win and whoever it is (i'm hoping red sox) will win the WORLD SERIES. The Rays are young, hungry, relentless, and have no fear. The Sox of course have the been there done that thing, experience, hungry also. Both teams have very good managers. The series, on paper, should be a good one. So as everyone says "PLAYBALL". Enjoy the ride people. GO SOX BACK2BACK.
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10-08-2008 @ 6:17PM
Brad said...
Good insight from the Boston fans and very fair as well.
That said, most of the country, outside of New England of course will be rooting for the Rays. As Americans, we love the underdog knocking off the big rich bully.
Kind of like when you were a kid trying to get the prettiest girl in school to go out with you and you were up against the kid with the rich daddy and new Corvette that daddy bought for him on his sixteenth birthday while you were just trying to make sure your wheels got you to the party and back.
But who said life was fair anyhow?
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10-09-2008 @ 4:23PM
David said...
RED SOX IN 5. YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST
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