Fenway Park: That’s Where the Magic Happens
Boston crushed Cleveland 12-2 to force a 7th and deciding game tonight at Fenway. Thoughts:
- In what could have been his last game in a Boston uniform Curt Schilling did what he’s always done since signed in 2004, win when the team needed him most. Making it even more satisfying is knowing how many Schilling haters wanted to see him fail.
- It was strange to hear Joe Buck and Tim McCarver describing Schilling’s pitching performance, as if they were watching an entirely different game where the Indians were lighting him up. Other than one inning, Schilling was never in trouble and actually became more dominant as the game progressed. Take away one bad pitch (the home run) and Schilling’s pitching a shut out going into the 7th inning.
- Fausto Carmona has great stuff, but he’s 23. Last night it showed. No one in baseball would have predicted the Red Sox would handle Sabathia and Carmona with such ease yet be shut down by Westbrook and Byrd. The unpredictability, that’s the beauty of baseball.
- In my previous post I wrote:
What a difference a few hits and a walk by Dustin Pedroia makes for Boston offensively. Even Lugo contributed with a bunt single. If the Red Sox continue to get production from players not named Ramirez, Ortiz, or Lowell they’re going to give Cleveland everything they can handle.
Out of the 12 runs the Red Sox scored 10 were driven in by players other than Ramirez, Ortiz, and Lowell.
- I’m not a fan of the Fox broadcasting team, but superimposing Ramirez and Victor Martinez as they jogged around the bases after each hitting a home run was brilliant. Martinez, maybe as a reaction to Manny’s raised arms and slow walk out of the box, took forever. Hate Ramirez if you need to, but he does nothing premeditated. Martinez intentionally taking 5 minutes to get around the bases is something Ramirez would never do.
You have to feel the Red Sox have the advantage going into tonight’s deciding game. Still, momentum can change in a moment. I said before that if you manage to get to Dice-K in a game 7 you happily take your chances. He’s got the talent to pitch a great game, but if he falters, look for the quick hook.
One game take all. Baseball at it’s best. Go Red Sox!
