Look, we all know it ain't all sunshine and rainbows for the Red Sox these days. They're 1-6 over their last seven, they've had to deal with an injured rotation and a bit of a banged-up lineup and their 8th inning man has come up Gagne. It's bad news, ya?
But all we need now is just a split. Two wins in four games, and with some of those old problems having gone away. The rotation? Tonight we've gotta live with Kyle Weiland, but then it's Lester and Beckett. The lineup? Gonzo and Ortiz are batting 3-4. The bullpen?
OK, that's still a problem. But maybe just give Bard some time off and--dare I say it--go Morales - Aceves - Papelbon.
Ugh.
OK, good feelings again. That offense, right?
There's no two ways about it: this is the series. By the end of this weekend, barring some interference from Los Angeles, the Sox should know pretty well where they stand. A split or better, and they're probably in. A loss, however, and they're in big, big trouble.
This one is for all the marbles. Go Sox!