Two years in a row: What's it like now?

by Randy Booth on Oct 19, 2008 1:32 PM EDT in News

It's almost 1:30 p.m. here and I can't help but think about tonight's game seven.

Does anyone remember last year's game seven against the Indians? As we know, it was the same exact scenario: down 3-1, the Red Sox clawed back and won game seven against Fuasto Carmona, one of the best pitchers of the 2007 season. Now, the Red Sox can do it again.

Does anyone remember what that feeling was like at this time last year? I don't remember. I wish I could, because I'd like to compare it to right now. Right now it just seems like it's set up nicely. The Sox evened the series and now it's do-or-die time. Someone will be playing their last baseball game tonight.

It's hard to compare this team to last year's team because it is so different. Mark Kotsay at first base and Jason Bay in left field? Could anyone have guessed that in spring training? Coco Crisp in center field, nevertheless, after the benching of Jacoby "Jactober" Ellsbury. It's a different team.

A different team, but the same attitude: play like there's no tomorrow. That's how the Sox will play tonight. From the top of the order to the bottom, from the starter (Mr. Jon Lester) to the bullpen. The ALCS is culminating with this and it feels great.

The Sox aren't dead yet, so let's do it.

Go Sox!

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I just pray the momentum level stays very high AND

that all evil momentum sucking forces are absolutely kept at bay (no reference to Jason Bay)!

by NG on Oct 19, 2008 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

Execpet to the extent

that such evil momentum sucking forces affect the Rays, in which case I say “suck away.”

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Oct 19, 2008 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Since I don't drink

I am going to pop a pain pill every time someone says or posts the word momentum during the game. Unlike Marilyn Monroe, I hope my touch tones are nearby if needed

Like the words hater & maverick..can we please get a thesaurus & put these words to bed?

I don’t recall how I felt last year; and cant describe how I feel now just anxiously awaiting the game

"You know," Girardi said, shrugging his shoulders, "it didn't work."

( Joe Girardi on pitching to Manny Ramirez with first base open)

by MassGal on Oct 19, 2008 1:48 PM EDT reply actions

I'll do the drinking for you

And I’m feeling just the way I felt last season: I’m just glad to see the Sox playing another baseball game, and that’s really all I’ve could have asked for.

Can’t wait for the game. I even dreamed about it. It was a good dream. :)

Mother---- him and John Wayne!

by MerryGoByeBye on Oct 19, 2008 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll drink my fair share too

I’m with MGBB. I’m so glad to see a Game 7. I didn’t think we’d get here. While this team isn’t as good as the ’04 or ’07 teams, it has so much heart. The Sox had a ton of injuries this year and are one game away from the WS. Win or lose, this has been a great year.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Oct 19, 2008 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Even more so than 2004 and 2007

This team seems to have a big heart. Both in 2004 and 2007, they were better than the other team. This ALCS it seems like they’re all doing like Beckett: Gutting it out. Pretty amazing, and indeed what a year thus far.

Mother---- him and John Wayne!

by MerryGoByeBye on Oct 19, 2008 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Oct 19, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I was at last year's game 7.

I had won the chance to buy tickets off the Red Sox raffle, and had two standing room tickets. I brought my only Indians-fan friend, figuring one of us would emerge happy (I knew it would be me). Going to that game, we were all just on the edge of our seats, waiting for the Sox to crack it open, to finish what they started in game 5. Complete anticipation, and honestly, no concerns. Gotta say, while this is a very different team, I feel pretty confident with the guy we’ve got going tonight, and the way the team looks like they’re coming around.

Go Sox!

by mightymike on Oct 19, 2008 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

Last year, everyone was petrified, iirc.

Our game 7 starter was Daisuke Matsuzaka, who had been very shaky the whole 2007 postseason.

This year, I feel very loose. We were supposed to be out of the playoffs, down 7-0 in the 7th inning of game 5. Then we were supposed to shrivel up and die to “Big Game James” in the Trop. By all rights, baseball should be over for us, but we’re still here.

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Oct 19, 2008 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

Am I the only one who's more scared of seeing Sonny instead Garza tonight?

And more scared about seeing both rather than ‘Big Game James’? Sonny is the kind of pitcher that always give us trouble, and Garza is crazy enough to not give a fuck about what happened so far.

Thank God it’s Lester on the mound tonight.

Mother---- him and John Wayne!

by MerryGoByeBye on Oct 19, 2008 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn't Sonny

sleeping with the fishes?

Or did he come home?

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Oct 19, 2008 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm pretty sure it was Luca Brasi who slept with the fishes.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Oct 19, 2008 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

It was.

I just meant it in the sense that he was killed.

In any event, I’m happy Sonnanstine won’t be starting tonight.

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Oct 19, 2008 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd expect him out of the pen if Garza faulters early on.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Oct 19, 2008 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I feel

the same as last year. Coming back from down 3-1, I feel us really riding the momentum.

Lester. Man of the hour. He will be partners destroying in the playoffs with Beckett if he can just get us six quality innings tonight. Bullpen has been really on, yesterday they gave up no hits through four innings.

I was frozen last year, by fear. joy, and adrenaline. I felt like I could have run a 4.4. I remember Game 6, moreso than game 7. In Game 6, i was in a hotel basically trashing the main room, pulled out the couch-bed, had a couple of sodas, and watched as JD Drew hit the $14,000,000 Grand Slam.

Look at JD. He always seems to catch fire in the postseason. He looked “on” throughout the ALCS, and when JD is hot, I would hate to be the pitcher going against him.

My Line-up:
Coco S
Pedroia R
JD! L
Youk R
Papi L
Bay R
Kotsay L
Lowrie S
Tek S (It was just one hit)

This line-up will drive Garza and the bullpen out of their never-loving minds. JD deserves to be moved up, and then Youk will advance him either by walk, or towering home run. Papi has been getting hot, my only concern is that he will feel differently that he has been moved closer to the bottom of the line-up, but I do not want to put too many righties or lefties consecutively. Want to keep Garza on his toes.

Some numbers against Garza:

Coco: 1 for 9, 1 2B
Pedie: 3 for 14, 1 2B
Drew: 2 for 5, 1 2B, 1 HR
Youks: 1 for 12
Papi: 2 for 10, 1 HRs
Bay: No career ABs
Kotsay: 0 for 2
Lowrie: 0 for 3
Tek: 1 for 4

Go Sox!

Well, I'll appreciate for you to keep my zingers outta your mouth!

by BoSox415 on Oct 19, 2008 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

IMO

Lester is gonna keep it under 4 runs tonight which means everything is on Garza to do the same. The Sox have seen him many times, they saw him at his best in game 3, so they should be ready.

Plus, our 3-6 guys are just raking right now. Papi, Youk, Drew, Bay and Kotsay have been hammering the ball. Some are not hits bc they are hit right at someone, but seriously, anyone else think that Kotsay is one bad pitch away from a HR? He has really smashed some balls in the ALCS.

Add in Coco and DP feeling it and if Garza is not A+ tonight, Sox are going to the World Series.

Comeback Kings do it again. 6-2 win tonight.

by SoxAcumen on Oct 19, 2008 4:10 PM EDT reply actions