Allow me to set a scene for you. Three years ago, the Astros, perennial runners-up to the Cardinals, took a 3-1 NLCS lead against St. Louis. In Game 5, they carried a lead into the ninth inning before Albert Pujols crushed a moonshot off of Brad Lidge to turn what looked like an easy 4-2 win into a 5-4 loss. At that point, with the series headed back to St. Louis, everyone said the series was over. The defending NL Champion Cardinals were going to ride the momentum wave back to the World Series. In Game 6, Roy Oswalt steam-rolled the Cardinals and the Astros went to the World Series. What happened to the Rays tonight was terrible. Blowing a seven-run lead, or even a three-run lead, late in the game is a harrowing experience in a regular season game. But guess what? The Rays are going home, where they're still 9-2 against Boston this year, and they're starting their ace James Shields in Game 6. They've obliterated Boston's pitching staff this series. They've still got the upper hand in this series.
Maybe Boston will win this series. It's certainly possible. It's always possible until it's over. But the magical idea that because they've come back in past series and they came back to win in Game 5 is completely disrespectful of the Rays. They earned their home field advantage in this series and they have a 3-2 lead because to this point in the series, they've been the better team. I'll be shocked if they roll over the way Cleveland did last year. The Red Sox might win this series yet, but the Rays aren't going to make it easy for them.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-17-2008 @ 1:38AM
Moonshine Mike said...
Before the series I was thinking Tampa in 6, only because I could not fathom a RedSox/Dodgers world series blog meltdown.
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10-17-2008 @ 10:38AM
lk said...
The only thing I am thinking, is that the Sox actually played better at the trop. They won the first game and the second was close. In boston they were blown out the first two games. Fenway is a homerun park and the Rays were really able to capitalize. I do think the Rays still have the advantage, because they are hitting so well right now and the Sox with the exception of last night are struggling. Also, under normal circumstances I would feel really good about Beckett pitching, but he has not performed well since he "strained" his oblique muscle. They keep saying he is okay, but obviously he is not. So advantage is still to the Rays, but history does show that you should not count out the Sox until the final nail is in the coffin. I mean what a comeback last night. If they do lose, I just want them to go down swinging.
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