What Game 1 Means for the Red Sox

If I were writing a map to success for the Red Sox in the ALCS before last night's game, it would've read something like this: "Win Game 1 to force the Rays to have to beat Josh Beckett or Jon Lester to avoid a 3-0 deficit." A pretty simple outline, but with the Red Sox winning last night, suddenly getting back into this series seems like a daunting task for the Rays.

Really, just winning a game in the funhouse that is Tropicana Field is a big achievement for the Sox. I understand that the park draws a huge number of Red Sox fans, but it's not like that wsn't true during the season and the Rays still won eight of nine at home against Boston. By equalling their season win total at Tropicana Field in Game 1, the Red Sox have assured themselves they don't have to win another game there and they can still go to the World Series.

The best thing the Sox can do to the talented young Rays team in this series is put pressure on them. They've played the Red Sox a lot, but they've never been in this situation before. This is the first time in franchise history they've been down in a playoff series and they're facing the best post-season pitcher in recent history and the best pitcher in baseball right now in the next two days. Consider the pressure applied.