[LSC9901]

BOSTON — Curt Schilling is almost old enough to be Fausto Carmona's father, which seems appropriate, because the veteran could surely offer the youngster some fatherly advice about how to pitch in a game of the magnitude of Saturday night's Game 6 in the American League Championship Series.

The Red Sox's Schilling, 40, can refer anyone who questions his postseason credentials to Cooperstown, N.Y., where his blood-stained sock from Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS is enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

With three sutures preventing a tendon from snapping painfully over an ankle bone, Schilling shut down the Yankees in a series that is as much a part of Boston's history as Paul Revere's ride.

But with no sutures at all last Saturday in Game 2, Schilling gave up five runs on nine hits in only 42/3 innings — against an equally unspectacular Carmona and the Indians, who won in 11 innings.

"I went out against a team, the Yankees lineup in '04 was as good an offense as I've ever faced," Schilling said. "I was basically pitching on a broken foot with a lot less stuff than I have now, and I gave up one run over seven innings. There's no excuse for me not to be able to go out with what I have now, and if I can execute perfectly, I can pitch as good, if not better. ... I've done a lot better in a lot worse circumstances with a lot worse stuff."

Schilling is 9-2 with a 2.23 ERA in 17 postseason starts. Carmona, 23, has made only two playoff starts: a dazzling nine innings in Game 2 of the Division Series against the Yankees and the unsteady outing last Saturday, when he walked five and struck out five in four innings.

Indians manager Eric Wedge said his sinkerballer "tried to be a little too fine" in his first start against the Red Sox, and Cleveland pitching coach Carl Willis agreed while giving credit to the patient Boston hitters, who led the American League in walks this season.

"The Red Sox being very disciplined and obviously a veteran lineup of professional hitters, they laid off a lot of pitches that other clubs at times swing at," Willis said. "But I would also say that early in counts, Carmona was a bit fine, and he needs to trust that sink on the plate. I think we'll see that happen this time."

Though Schilling holds a huge advantage in experience, Wedge doesn't believe Carmona, who was 1-10 mostly as a reliever in his rookie year in 2006 and 19-8 this season, is overmatched.

"He's a very strong young man who understands what he needs to do to handle things more appropriately for him, and he's done that all year," Wedge said. "We talk about it all the time, every experience that you've been through, that's who you are today. Fausto is the perfect example of that."

Carmona knows the playoff pedigree of the man he'll face Saturday night, but is much more concerned with the Sox lineup than the legend of the bloody sock.

"I'm not going to be intimidated by anything," Carmona said through an interpreter Friday. "I'm not thinking even about Schilling, I'm thinking about the hitters that I've got to face."

[bears9]

I have been preaching how Schilling and the Sox will beat the Indians game 6. Which they will. But It doesn't matter!!! Dice-K will lose it in Game 7.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by bears9

I have been preaching how Schilling and the Sox will beat the Indians game 6. Which they will. But It doesn't matter!!! Dice-K will lose it in Game 7.

Keep in mind that if they get to game seven they SHOULD use every asset available to them. No need to hold back anyone.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

BOSTON — Curt Schilling is almost old enough to be Fausto Carmona's father

... and after their respective performances last night, he can tell Carmona "Who's Your Daddy?"

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

... and after their respective performances last night, he can tell Carmona "Who's Your Daddy?"

He may not have said it literally but I think the teams actions spoke volumes. Just hope they have it cranked up again for tonight.

[azrael492]

Originally Posted by bears9

I have been preaching how Schilling and the Sox will beat the Indians game 6. Which they will. But It doesn't matter!!! Dice-K will lose it in Game 7.

That would be ironic if he did lose the game 7. They paid all that money for him to lead them to the playoffs not lose it.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

He may not have said it literally but I think the teams actions spoke volumes. Just hope they have it cranked up again for tonight.

And I find myself just hoping the Indians show up enough to make a game out of it. Don't lay down and die, guys!