[legend]

Varitek is hitting like a pitcher right now.

[ThePundit]

Trot, Trot, Trot!! Gagner pitched well, huh? Nice deal, Theo.

[bears9]

This is going to be a great series, 7 games but the Sox still win.

[bears9]

The Indians won 4-2 in Game 3 and now lead the series 2-1

[EmpireWF]

Big win for Cleveland as it now puts the pressure on Boston. Do they use Beckett on short rest or hold him off for a game 5 or 6? Do they throw Wakefield out there, a guy who hasn't pitched in the post-season yet.

Cleveland is in the drivers seat.

[PBAbrian]

Ok... I tried to post this yesterday but I ran out of time.

Here it goes. I know you're all going to say, "Oh, you cry-baby Red Sox fan. If you can't win 4 straight you mail it in." Well... I've gotta say... I've mailed it in. Schilling's game 2 disaster was the pivital game. I figured they'd win games 1&2... of course lose games 3&4... and go on to win 5&6. Here's how I see it now. (Interrupting to remind you I wrote this yesterday... pregame). Dice-K will no doubt give up his usuall 5 walks per 6 innings. I'm sure there will be a couple of key home runs... it's his specialty you know! So the Sox lose this one and go down 2-1. Ah... Tim "Cortisone" Wakefield. Hey now... that's not fair... he's been perhaps THE most dependable starter behind Beckett most of the year. But, that WAS the first 2/3 of the season. Lately he's stuggled against AAA type teams like Baltimore and Tampa Bay. I'm sorry... he's certainly held a high value in Bean-town... but if he wins game 4 I'll be a shocked as I was when they brought "Gag-me" into an 11th inning tie. So the Sox go down 3-1 after game 4. Ah... but hope springs eternal... Beckett is ready for game 5. A sure win... right? Well the weight of the world (series birth) sits on his shoulders in game 5. OK I'll still give him the win... I think he can take the pressure. So Sox are still down 3-2 after game 5. Here's where it ends fans. Schilling's fooling no one with that 90mph fast ball. He's been a power pitcher his entire career. He's used to standing up to big bats and challenging them with his power and speed changes. You don't just become a Greg Maddux style pitcher over night. He's done! There you have it... as much as it hurts me to say it... The Sox road ends with a 4-2 loss in the ALCS.

Brian

[bears9]

Boston will win tonight but if the series go's 7 game i wouldn't be shocked to see Dice-K not starting game 7

[EmpireWF]

Cleveland took game 4 and now leads 3-1 in the series. The ALCS resumes Thursday in Cleveland.

I don't see how Boston can win three consecutive games against this Indians team. It's an uphill battle to say the least.

[desertrat]

I still don't know how Boston managed to win the first game. This series is over. We will be seeing a team that none of us has ever seen win a World Series this year, unless you're old enough to remember 1948. Cleveland-Colorado, could be the blizzard series by the time they get things finished up in those two cities.

[Lefty Noob]

desertrat's right, the series is over. It officially ended in the 5th inning last night. Once the Tribe had that seven-run explosion, there was no going back. Can't wait to see them close out the BoSox and make it to the World Series. Cleveland vs. Colorado may be a rating's nightmare, but in a lot of ways, it's a very intriguing series. I for one can't wait.

[bears9]

It is very close to over but when the 2 best big name pitchers in the league going in the the next two Boston can come back.

[ThePundit]

I hope Cleveland puts it away tonight. Don't go back to Boston.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

I hope Cleveland puts it away tonight. Don't go back to Boston.

I doubt they will, though, not against Beckett.

[PBAbrian]

Well... Schilling and Beckett might be 2 of the best big game pitchers in baseball... but as I said... Schilling is nothing without the 96+ mph fastball. If he thinks he wants to become a "placement" type of pitcher... he needs to spend a season in AA or AAA learning how to really do that. You can't start throwing the fastball 89mph and validate it by calling yourself a precision pitcher. What he is, is a hasbeen out there thowing meatballs to professional hitters. IN THE POST SEASON no less!! Drop Schilling from the post season roster and throw Buckholts out there or something. At least he's someone the Indians will spend the first 4 innings trying to figure out. Maybe by that time Drew, Crisp, or Lugo will actually get a meaningfull hit.

Anyway... Becket will win Thurs. night... but that's just prolonging the inevitable. He should have pitched last night with hopes of being able to go a few innings should there be a game 7. That's not an option no matter how you want to look at that now. For fun... assume Beckett and Schilling win... Dice-K is your game 7 starter??? Holy God... Sox fans... get your guns and hold them firmly to your skull... it'll be quick! OR... slowly pull your head off your shoulders watching Dice-K guide the Indians to the Series!

"Maybe next year"...

Brian

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by PBAbrian

Well... Schilling and Beckett might be 2 of the best big game pitchers in baseball... but as I said... Schilling is nothing without the 96+ mph fastball. If he thinks he wants to become a "placement" type of pitcher... he needs to spend a season in AA or AAA learning how to really do that. You can't start throwing the fastball 89mph and validate it by calling yourself a precision pitcher. What he is, is a hasbeen out there thowing meatballs to professional hitters. IN THE POST SEASON no less!! Drop Schilling from the post season roster and throw Buckholts out there or something. At least he's someone the Indians will spend the first 4 innings trying to figure out. Maybe by that time Drew, Crisp, or Lugo will actually get a meaningfull hit.

Anyway... Becket will win Thurs. night... but that's just prolonging the inevitable. He should have pitched last night with hopes of being able to go a few innings should there be a game 7. That's not an option no matter how you want to look at that now. For fun... assume Beckett and Schilling win... Dice-K is your game 7 starter??? Holy God... Sox fans... get your guns and hold them firmly to your skull... it'll be quick! OR... slowly pull your head off your shoulders watching Dice-K guide the Indians to the Series!

"Maybe next year"...

Brian

My, My aren't we bitter. Yet another fair weather Red Sox fan !!!! Get with the program and cheer them on. They didn't get this far being a mediocre team. sadly they are in a mid-season hitting slump right now. There are only three bats on the team right now and at this point in the season, that is a no-no. I never saw what they see (?) in Dice-K to begin with. If this season is to long for him they should have been tuning him up in Pawtucket before he joined the ranks of the big boyz.