Game 3 @ Colorado 825EST FOX
Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-1, 5.65) vs. Josh Fogg (2-0, 1.13)
STARTING LINEUPS:
Colorado-
1. Kazuo Matsui 2B
2. Troy Tulowitzki SS
3. Matt Holiday LF
4. Todd Helton 1B
5. Garrett Atkins 3B
6. Brad Hawpe RF
7. Yorvit Torrealba C
8. Cory Sullivan CF
9. Josh Fogg P
Boston-
1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Dustin Pedroia 2B
3. David Ortiz 1B
4. Manny Ramirez LF
5. Mike Lowell 3B
6. J.D. Drew RF
7. Jason Varitek C
8. Julio Lugo SS
9. Daisuke Matsuzaka P
As the Series shifts top the thin air out West the Sox, who hold a comfy 2-0 advantage after winning the first two games at Fenway by a combined score of 15-2, will look to their prized, pricey free agent acquisition from the Far East to get them to a near-insurmountable 3-0 series edge.
But the venue and landscape aren't the only things changing with the teams set to play the next three contests in the National League park over the next three nights.
The biggest adjustment to either lineup is the removal of the blazing hot Boston first baseman Kevin Youkilis (.396, 4HR, 10 RBI in the postseason) in favor of playoff legend but balky-kneed David Ortiz. The dilemma for Tito over the last few days has been which player to sit with the DH unavailable in Denver, but evidently four years of historic homers and walk-off hits won out over a couple of weeks of blistering the baseball all over the yard.
Other major adjustments include the ascension of un-intimidated rookie Jacoby Ellsbury, who began the postseason on the bench, graduated to starting in place of the injured & ineffective Coco Crisp and batting 8th & 9th, to leading off the first road game of the series.
The loss of Youk enabled Francona to move the equally scorching Dustin Pedroia to the 2-hole behind Ellsbury, giving the club a dynamic 1-2 punch at the top of the order before hitting the terrific trifecta of Papi-Manny-Lowell in the middle.
The Rockies, meanwhile, have some lineup changes of their own heading into the first World Series game at home in franchise history.
First, Colorado manager Clint Hurdle benched struggling leadoff man Willy Taveras (.120, 4 runs scored in postseason) in favor of rookie Cory Sullivan; Kaz Matsui will fill the leadoff spot while Sullivan takes Taveras' place in center. Hurdle aalso moved Rookie of the Year candidate Troy Tulowitzki and his .212 playoff average to the two-hole in hopes of sparking both himself and his team.
But the story of the game, which could lead to an offensive explosion for the dormant Rocks, is going to be the play of Daisuke Matsuzaka. The erratic rookie came through in the clutch when the Sox needed him most, tossing 5 innings of 2-run ball against the Indians in Game 7 of the ALCS, but his roller-coaster ways can't give the nation or the Sox brass much confidence that he will easily master the tricky ways of Coors Field.
He will be opposed by six year veteran Josh Fogg, the dogged Rockies starter who has overcome numerous injuries to become the emotional leader of the Colorado pitching staff. In the postseason he has pitched 10 innings of one-run ball, logging his first playoff win in Game 3 of the NLDS against the D-Backs.
So the focal point of the series now becomes the ability of the third and fourth starters to keep the scores low and gives their clubs the chance to come away with a win. If Matsuzaka can use the atmospheric abnormalities to his advantage, maybe he can go longer than five innings like he'd logged in his last three playoff starts.
And maybe the Sox offense will come back to life after being shut down in Game 2 by rookie righthander Ubaldo Jimenez and the Rockies bullpen.
All I know is that with this revamped lineup Boston should be able to score some runs off the fragile Fogg, and if Dice can prevent the reeling Rockies from doing any major damage, we'll be one step closer to a second consecutive Sox World series sweep.
10.27.2007
World Series GM 3 Preview: Matsuzaka meets the Mile High City
10.25.2007
World Series GM 2 Recap: Schill on the hill worth 2 games in hand
Sox 2, Colorado 1
Boston leads series, 2-0
WP: Schilling (3-0)
LP: Jimenez (0-1)
SV: Papelbon (2)
HRs: None
SUMMARY
One night after clubbing 17 hits and scoring 13 runs the Sox offense was stymied by hard-throwing young Colorado righthander Ubaldo Jimenez. Boston notched just six hits and a pair of runs, but the way Curt Schilling and the bullpen pitched tonight, it was good enough to defeat the frigid Rocks.
Schilling was Maddox-esque in tossing 5 1/3 innings of 4-hit, 1-run ball. The effort not only earned him his 11th career postseason win, but completed an eerie parallel to the 2004 Series, when Schilling pitched his team to victory in Game 2 against St. Louis en route to Boston's sweep of the Cardinals.
Deja vu all over again anyone?
Let's hope so.
#1 STUNNER Boston pitchers 9IP, 5H, 1ER, 2BB, 10K
When Schill got into a spot of trouble (2 on, one out) in the 5th, Hideki Okajima came in and retired the next two batters to escape the jam, and he went on to hurl 2 1/3 innings of no hit ball, striking out four Rockies.
After fanning the first two batters in the 8th, Papelbon relieved Oki and allowed an infield single to Matt Holliday before picking him off first, then he tossed a 1-2-3 ninth to nail down his first ever World Series save.
No word on whether he did another Riverdance in celebration.
GAGME Colorado offense 5H, 1R, 2BB, 10K
You know your team is in a heap of offensive trouble when it has only managed 11 hits and two runs in two games, and 8 of those hits have come from three players.
Tonight all of the "damage" was done by 3B Garrett Atkins, who had four of the Rockies five base knocks, while the rest of the team was a horrid 1-25 on the night.
Are we sure this is the team that won 21 of 22 games coming in to this series? Oh yeah, that streak happened against National League competition.
RECAP
He came.
He pitched.
He won.
Again.
Curt Schilling, the Nation's favorite blogging postseason hero, added another clutch win to his already impressive playoff resume in what may have been his final performance in a Boston uniform. The veteran righty, who has had to rely on guile, guts and location at this stage of his career rather than adrenaline and high octane, deftly maneuvered through the Rockies lineup like a surgeon navigating a patient's interior, escaping a few mini-jams while holding the Rockies to a measly four singles.
Following another stirring rendition of the National Anthem, this time by Boston's beloved velvet-voiced balladeer James Taylor, things didn't start off too well for Schill when he hit the first batter of the game, Willy Taveras, with a pitch that barely grazed the speedy centerfielder's batting glove.
After getting Kaz Matsui to fly out to center, Schill fell asleep on a ground ball by Matt Holliday (4-4) that went off Mike Lowell's glove and careened into short left field. As Lowell fired the ball back to third to try and get the streaking Taveras, Schill got a late start to the bag, and not only was Taveras safe at third, but Holliday made it all the way to second on a sloppy play that did not epitomize the Sox effort so far in this series.
Todd Helton brought the run home with an RBI grounder to Youk that gave Colorado its first lead of the series, but that just like the previous game, that single run would be the only one to cross the plate for the Rockies all night.
Unlike last night it would be a while before Boston's batters could catch up as the fireballing Jimenez (4.2IP, 3H, 2ER, 5BB, 2K), a wafer-thin 23-year-old who has appeared in just 17 games in his career, baffled the Sox over the first three innings, allowing only three baserunners on a hit-by-pitch and a pair of walks.
But Boston would get on the board in the fourth, and it was thanks to some heads-up baserunning by the Sox that allowed them to tie it up.
Manny popped out to lead off the frame, then Mike Lowell drew a walk from the often erratic Jimenez, who throws 100 mph heat but sometimes can't control where that missile is going. The smoking hot J.D. Drew followed with a single to right field, and the heady Lowell, who saw that Brad Hawpe was kind of nonchalantly playing the ball, broke for third and beat the throw to the bag by a nose.
One pitch later Cap'n Tek blasted a fly ball to deep center to score Lowell easily, and although the game was only tied at one, for some reason it felt like the Sox had already won it.
How's your own medicine taste, suckers?!
10.24.2007
World Series GM 1 Result: Sox hammer Rox as Beckett wins again
Sox 13, Colorado 1
Sox lead series, 1-0
WP: Beckett (4-0)
LP: Francis (2-1)
HRs: Pedroia (2)
RECAP
The Red Sox postseason express steamrolled right through the formerly blistering hot Colorado Rockies, setting numerous team and MLB playoff records in this win as the offense racked up 13 runs on 17 hits while ace Josh Beckett came one step closer to completing one of the most impressive seasons in baseball history, notching his 4th win of this postseason.
Beckett shut the Rockies down on six hits and a run over seven innings while fanning nine batters, including four straight to begin the game, and the Sox exploded for seven runs in the fifth inning to end the Rockies playoff win streak at seven games. Boston extended its Series winning streak to five games.
Every starter except Jacoby Ellsbury had at least one hit for Boston while everyone but RBI king Mike Lowell drove in at least one run. Boston also walked eight times, three times in a row with the bases loaded in the fateful fifth, and mashed a World Series record-tying 9 extra base hits.
Oh, did I mention that they also set an MLB record for margin of victory and runs scored in a series opener?
Now that's what I call a team of destiny.
One down and three to go.
#1 STUNNER Beckett 7IP, 6H, 1ER, 1BB, 9K
We are running out of superlatives to describe what the terrific Texan is doing this season.
Though not as dominant as in some of his other starts, Beckett was impressive for the way he relied on his fastball for most of the early part of the game, then mesmerized the mentally-mismatched Rockies with a knee-buckling curve later in the outing.
20-game winner. All Star game winner. ALCS MVP. {Cy Young.} {World series MVP.}
Pretty nice list of accomplishemnts, huh?
GAGME Jeff Francis 4IP, 10H, 6ER, 3BB, 3K, HR
This guys is supposed to be their ace? Bahahhahahahahahahahahahahaha!
RECAP
Another night, another link complete in the Josh Beckett championship chain.
Beckett took his phenomenal season to a whole 'nother level, treating the pressure of the ultimate postseason series like another sandlot scrum by mowing down the Rockies hitters like British locals infected with the Rage virus, earning his second World Series win in the process.
But as good as Beckett was, his suddenly resurgent offense was even better. For the third consecutive game and fifth time this postseason the Sox scored at least ten runs, and over the last four games Boston has outscored its opponents by a score of 43-6. The beauty of the barrage is that the contributions are coming from every member of the lineup, not just the Big Three of Papi, Manny and Lowell for a change.
The game began under a steady drizzle as the muted crowd watched the great John Williams conduct a stirring rendition of the National Anthem, capped off by a flyover that was hard to see against the dimly lit skies but roared through my surround sound loud enough to rattle the knick-knacks on the shelves.
Shortly after that the ass-kicking began.
Beckett wasted no time establishing his dominance when he started the game off by fanning the first three Colorado batters, Willy Taveras looking and Kaz Matsui and Matt Holiday swinging.
With Beckett's stamp of awe-inspiring authenticity already firmly placed on the game, the offense wasted no time in making sure their horse had enough runs to work with so he didn't have to pitch another shutout in order to get another postseason win.
Dustin Pedroia took care of that potential problem when he nailed Jeff Francis' second pitch of the game off the top of the Monster for a momentum-building home run, and Boston's little dynamo became just the second player in World Series history to lead off a Fall Classic with a homer.
And to think fans were clamoring for his benching early in the season.
The equally hot Kevin Youkilis followed with a scalded double to deep left center, and after Papi's groundout moved Youk to third, Manny knocked him in with a solid single to left over heralded rookie SS Troy Tulowitzki's glove for a lightning-quick 2-0 Boston lead, and juts minutes into the game Boston had all the runs Beckett would need to wrap up another playoff win.
Beckett began the second by striking out Todd Helton for his fourth straight K, a feat olast accomplished by the great Sandy Koufax in 1963, but then he proved he was human by allowing the first (and only) Rockies run on a pair of Wall doubles, a towering scraper by Garrett Atkins and a liner off the scoreboard by Tulowitzki to slice the lead to 3-1.
But the Sox struck back with a single run in the bottom of the inning when Papi drove in Youk, who had walked, with a double over Tulowitzki's glove to push the lead back to three, and things remained that way until the bottom of the fourth.
After Beckett escaped a potential jam (a one-out double by Helton) by fanning the next two batters to end the top of the fourth, the Sox struck for a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning, both runs scoring with two outs, a method of scoring that Boston would employ for much of the rest of the game.
Papi () began the rally with a 2-out single to right, then Manny doubled into the right centerfield gap to set up second & third for Lowell. After Francis intentionally walked the RBI king to load the bases, Captain Clutch ripped a double over Tulowitzki's head (that kid better get a ladder) to score both Manny & Papi, and with a 6-1 lead and Beckett on the mound, even the most ardent Rockies supporter had to realize that this one was all but over.
Just in case those bandwagoners didn't get the message, the Sox exploded for seven runs in a 34-minute fifth inning that featured six hits, four walks including three with the bases loaded, and served as a warning to the Colorado team: we don't care how hot you were coming into this series, you're not playing the pussy National league anymore, and this is how we roll here in Beantown.
Saddled with a 13-1 lead after the carnage ended, Tito chose to leave Beckett in to rub it in Colorado's faces, and the righty responded with two more scoreless inning before giving way to Mike Timlin in the 8th.
By then the rain had stopped and the partying had begun, and after the final three outs were recorded by none other than Eric Mop Up Man Gagne, instead of drenching themselves further with more champagne, the all-business Sox set their sights on Game 2, when a rookie hurler will go up against Mr. Curt Schilling before the Series shifts to the West.
By then the Sox should be up 2-0, and we should all be able to get ready for another parade, rain or shine.
World Series Game 1 Preview: The Beckett Experience continues
Game 1 Starters 830EST FOX
Jeff Francis (2-0, 4.86) vs. Josh Beckett (3-0, 1.21)
Lineups:
COLORADO-
1. Taveras CF
2. Matsui 2B
3. Holiday LF
4. Helton 1B
5. Atkins 3B
6. Hawpe RF
7. Tulowitzki SS
8. Torrealba C
9. Spillborghs DH
BOSTON-
1. Pedroia 2B
2. Youk 1B
3. Papi DH
4. Manny LF
5. Lowell 3B
6. Varitek C
7. Drew RF
8. Lugo SS
9. Ellsbury CF
The Sox continue their quest for postseason glory tonight when calm, cool and accolade-collecting Josh Beckett takes the mound tonight to open the 2007 World series against the Colorado Rockies.
Beckett is putting together one of the most impressive postseason resumes in MLB history, continuing his run of dominance that began with a World Series MVP performance in 2003 with the Marlins and could end with a bookend trophy when this series is all done.
In three postseason starts the ace has allowed a mere 13 hits and three runs in 23 innings, and he's fanned an astonishing 26 batters while walking only one during that time. he's simply having one of the best postseasons ever.
His mound opponent will be Rockies "ace" Jeff Francis, a guy who won 17 regular season games this year but had an ERA over 4.00 and who wasn't even in the league when Beckett destroyed the Stanks' title dreams in '03.
Ironically--and I say that because this stat has absolutely no bearing on this game whatsoever, yet analysts and announcers keep pointing to it as a meaningful fact--when these two clubs met back in mid-June at Fenway as part of interleague play, Francis was the winning pitcher while Colorado hung Beckett's first loss of the season on him following 9 consecutive wins in a 7-1 Rockies victory.
In that contest Beckett allowed a grand slam to Garrett Atkins and a solo shot to MVP candidate Matt Holliday as the probable Cy Young winner allowed a season-high six runs on 10 hits in five innings. Francis, meanwhile, threw five innings of shutout ball, scattering 7 hits and holding the scorching Boston lineup in check.
But like I said, that game and that whole series for that matter means nothing when these clubs take the field tonight.
Beckett will be just as focused and determined as he has been all season. Boston, which has clubbed 70 runs in seven postseason games this year, should pick up right where they left off against the Indians on Sunday night, while the rusty Rockies will most definitely feel the effects of an 8-day layoff combined with the blinding glare that comes with being at the center of the international media spotlight.
In other words my money's on the Sox laying the foundation for a second consecutive series sweep as Beckett all but ensures his name will be engraved on another MVP trophy as the Sox win convincingly in Game 1.
NOTES: Jacoby Ellsbury, a 24-year-old kid with just 166 major league at bats, will get the nod to start in Game 1 in place of the slumping/ailing Coco Crisp. Crisp injured his ankle making the game-ending catch in deep center in game 7 against the Indians, and that combined with his putrid .161/2R/2BI postseason performance has led Tito to start the electrifying rookie...rain is forecast for the Greater Boston Area tonight, so we could be in for another lengthy, late-night postseason ballgame if there are any extended weather delays...Francona announced rookie Jon Lester will pitch Game 4 in place of injured starter Tim Wakefield
World Series Preview: Why the Sox will win it all
With all the previews, breakdowns and analysis floating around the series, I'm gonna keep this short and sweet.
5 Reasons why the Sox will win the World Series:
5.) Pitching
The Sox have studs like Cy Young lock Josh Beckett, playoff prince Curt Schilling, scary closer Jonathan Papelbon, and devastating setup men Hideki Okajima and Manny Delcarmen. The Rockies have the stable of Josh Fogg, Jeff Francis, Aaron Cook as starters and one-year wonder Manny Corpas closing.
'Nuff said.
4.) Experience
Boston has been to the playoffs three of the last four years, has three World Series MVPs on the roster (Beckett, Schilling and Manny) and play more "must win" games over the course of the season than any team other than its mutual "must win" opponent, the Stanks.
Colorado players had a grand total of 18 meaningful October games under its belt before this season, all by outfielder Willy Taveras, and the longest-tenured player in team history, first baseman Todd Helton, had never sniffed a postseason at bat until two weeks ago.
Some will say all that goes out the window when the games are on the line, but you can't tell me a team full of seasoned playoff vets doesn't hold a decided advantage over a team of "happy to be here" greenhorns.
3.) Balls
Boston is home to some of the more fiery fans in the US, and its baseball team is a fair representative of that F-you mentality. From the little second sacker who could, Dustin Pedroia, to the intimidating presence of Schill, Papelbon & Beckett, to the bat rack-busting exploits of Kevin Youkilis, no team possesses more hard-headed hotheads than Boston.
That bulldog-like approach helped them chew up the soft Angels and softer Indians, and it should also help propel them past the so nice they're gross Rockies.
2.) Money
The Red Sox brass has compiled one of the best teams money can buy while Colorado has a budget that would barely cover the expense of negotiating for Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Boston has a payroll of approximately $143 million including 4 players who make over $12 million a year (Manny, Papi, Drew, Schill), while the Rox have a mere $54 million invested in their merry band of Rocky Mountain, topping out with Helton's $16 mill for 2007.
I know they say money can't but you love, but $154 million sure as hell better buy you a team that can beat a band of bargain-bin castoffs.
1.) Destiny
I know, I know, the team that has won 21 of 22 games would appear to be riding a magic carpet all the way to World Series-winning glory, but that meteoric rise began a mere five weeks ago; Boston has been destined to win the title this year since before the season started, by outbidding the New York teams for Daisuke Matsuzaka, by jumping out to that phenomenal 14 game lead, by balancing above-average pitching with an explosive, well-balanced offense, and by staying on the path to glory despite numerous obstacles, staunch opposition, and by avoiding that lingering inbred propensity for choking when the games matter most.
As you see, when you lay it all out scientifically like this, there really is only one choice to hoist the championship trophy this season.
And that team doesn't eat Rocky Mountain oysters for midnight snacks.
10.23.2007
2007 World Series Preview: Rockies @ Red Sox
Colorado Rockies (90-73)
vs.
Boston Red Sox (96-66)
-GM 1 Wed Oct 24 @ BOS
-GM 2 Thu Oct 25 @ BOS
-GM 3 Sat Oct 27 @ COL
-GM 4 Sun Oct 28 @ COL
*GM 5 Mon Oct 29 @ COL
*GM 6 Wed Oct 31 @ BOS
*GM 7 Fri Nov 1 @ BOS
After 172 games filled with gasp-inducing highs and groan-inducing lows, chock full of meteoric rises and near-catastrophic falls, and a season in which the motto at the beginning of the year was 'World Series or bust', the Sox have finally reached their preferred destination.
Now we'll find out if their journey will be a bust.
Boston will take the field for its second Fall Classic in four years Wednesday night, a feat that has practically deified the once-vilified Terry Francona, and no one seems to mind that its opponent won't be a traditional baseball power like the Braves, or a team with a longstanding tradition and legion of adoring fans like the Cardinals, or even a box office draw like the Barry Bonds-led Giants.
Instead the small-market, bandwagon driving Rockies will put its 21-1 hot streak, 14-years of history and month and a half of loyalty on the line when the two best teams in the majors square off for the right to be called the 2007 champs.
Wonder which team has the advantage?
The Rockies were hotter than a California wildfire when the postseason began, winners of 13 of its last 14 regular season games to force a one-game playoff with San Diego, and then they stole a breathtaking play-in game from the stunned Padres to make it to the big dance for the first time since 1995.
Since then the Rox have reeled off 7 straight postseason wins, first grabbing three quick wins against the hapless Phils, then by blowing the doors off the over achieving Diamondbacks, and here they are just a month removed from sitting on the outside of the playoff picture looking in to the verge of pulling off one of the most improbable runs of all time.
Only thing standing in their way is a motivated, determined, focused and most important experienced Boston team.
The Sox have weathered every kind of storm this season after jumping out to a huge division lead just two months into the season. A second half swoon nearly cost them a shot at their first division title in 12 years, but a late sure propelled them to the postseason for the third time in the last four years.
But after dispatching with their personal playoff bitches, the overrated Angels, in three games in the ALDS, the season-ling sporadic performances of the pitchers and batters haunted the Sox in the ALCS against Cleveland.
That inconsistency, especially an inane inability to push runs across the plate in key situations, caused Boston to fall into a 3 games to 1 hole against the pesky & talented Tribe.
But just like Stella, Boston got its groove back just in time to, running off a 30-5 run-scoring blitzkrieg in the final three games of the series to send the Tribe packing and make it back to the Series for the first time since that magical 2004 season.
And here we are.
No matter what everyone thought at the beginning of the season, it's still hard to believe that after an 8 1/2-decade drought, Boston could bring the title back to Beantown for the second time in less than half a decade.
Or it could suffer another monumental collapse of historic proportions.
Either way the Sox have given the Nation everything it could ask for in 2007: scintillating pitching performances (Beckett, pick one; Schill's near no-no; Bucholz' actual no-no), epic offensive exploits (four consecutive homers; 5-run 9th inning comebacks; Youk hitting an inside-the parker), and eye-popping defensive gems (Coco Crisp every game; J.D. Drew's back-breaker; Eric Hinske's gravel-scraper).
Now all it needs to do is complete its primary objective.
That's not too much for a title-hungry Nation to ask for, is it?
10.21.2007
Comeback kings reign again as Sox head back to Series
Sox 11, Cleveland 2
Sox win series, 4-3
WP: Matsuzaka (1-1)
LP: Westbrook (1-1)
HRs: BOS-Pedroia (1), Youk (2)
The Boston Red Sox overcoame another seemingly insurmountable ALCS deficit to capture the American League pennant for the 2nd time in four years, and Game 1 of the World Series will be played Wednesday night at Fenway.
I repeat, Game 1 of the World series will be Wednesady night at Fenway.
I, like much of the Nation, am in no condition to properly recap this one, but in a nutshell here's what happened:
-Boston scored single runs in each of the first three innings, but also grounded into double plays in three of the first four frames, keeping the game close
-Daisuke Matsuzaka made the early 3-0 lead hold up with five solid innings of work, allowing two earned runs on six hits with no walks and three Ks
-Dustin Pedroia was the star of the game with three hits including a homer and five RBIs, and Kevin Youkilis was right behind him with a three hits and two ribbies including a mammoth 2-run homer
-Numerous costly miscues and unlucky breaks on Cleveand's side seemed to doom the Tribe from the start, including bad bounces, bad calls, and menatl and physical errors
-Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon combined for four innings of scoreless relief, with Paps coming in with two on and no outs in the eighth and escaping that jam and then going on to close out the win in the ninth
-Boston broke open a 5-2 game one inning after Kenny Lofton failed to score from second on a double when the Sox scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth, the big blow being Youk's Monster shot that made the score 11-2
-Josh beckett won the ALCS MVP award for his brilliance in Games 2 and 5, the latter of which allowed the Sox to make it to this glorious Game 7.
The Sox won the last three games of the series by a combined score of 30-5, and now will face the hottest team in baseball, the Colorada Rockies, in a World Series that will feature everything from a huge contingent of Japanese media to the probability of snow flakes on the field during the games.
But who the fuck cares about that now.
The Red Sox did what many people thought they could do and just as many were hoping they couldn't.
Let's just bask in the glory for tonight, and enjoy a couple of days of gloating before we have to actually think about winning another series.
(Like we really gotta worry about the friggin Rockies)
Congrats, Bosox! Mission nearly accomplished
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