So the Red Sox lost an 11-inning marathon in a game marked by Terry Francona's questionable decisions, such as sending Josh Beckett back to the mound for the fifth inning and opting for Mike Timlin over Paul Byrd in the 11th? True, it was a heartbreaker. Though the Sox departed Tampa Bay with a coveted split, they very well could have arrived in Boston with a 2-0 advantage in the ALCS. Still, there is no reason to fret. Take a deep breathe. Slowly exhale. And remember that this is October baseball. There will be highs and lows.
It is entertaining to peruse the blogosphere after a playoff game. After Game One, readers of Tampa Bay Rays web sites thought the sky was falling, and that the Rays would surely be swept. Following Game Two, some Red Sox sites included comments from visitors who suddenly felt that the Rays gained so much confidence from the extra innings win that they will now take the series.
October baseball is best taken one game at a time. I realize that is one of the oldest sports cliches, but in this case it is accurate. A team is never truly out of the series until they are getting blown out in the elimination game, or until the final out is recorded in a tightly contested elimination game. The Red Sox have proven this twice in the last five seasons - against the Yankees in 2004 and versus the Indians last year.
The question this October for the Red Sox is this: Will there be a Game Six or a Game Seven in this series? Boston can win all three games at Fenway Park and advance to the World Series. The No. 3 starter who is pitching like an ace gets the ball this afternoon, and if there is a Game Six, he could start on his normal four days of rest.
Considering that Josh Beckett is obviously still hurting from the strained oblique - and with good reason since most players who strain an oblique are sidelined for at least a month - I would rather see Lester take the mound in Game Six than Beckett. Of course, that would leave Beckett to start Game Seven if the Red Sox do not win the series by Game Six. If there is a Game Seven, and if Lester and not Beckett starts in Game Six, it will be interesting to see if Francona starts Beckett or Tim Wakefield in Game Seven. I imagine that Wakefield's performance in Game Four tomorrow will determine if he is a serious candidate to get the ball in Game Seven. Another option would be Paul Byrd.
Who would you rather see start Game Six - Lester or Beckett? How about Game Seven? Beckett? Wakefield? This is an intriguing debate.
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