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Josh Beckett was terrific AGAIN	Manny Being Manny

(Photos courtesy of Yahoo Sports)

by Jimmy Russotto                                                                        

10/19/07

Although nobody seemed to notice, the Red Sox avoided elimination from the American League pennant race last night as Josh Beckett once again shut down the Cleveland Indians in Cleveland, forcing the Series back to Boston and another classic matchup between Curt Schilling and Fausto Carmona.  The Red Sox, down 3-2, must win both games in Beantown to advance and will have to figure out Carmona, to whom they lost in Game 2.

This win was eclipsed by the news out of Florida that the Yanks had in effect forced the resignation of Joe Torre by offering him an insulting deal.  New York baseball fans are up in arms over the shabby treatment of their classy manager, a real gentleman who gave the Yankees nothing but twelve post-season appearances in as many years and six World Series Championships.  However, as I'm sure the marketing-oriented and spineless Yankees management team orchestrated this fiasco in order to steal headlines from the only REAL baseball being played, I shall say no more about them, except perhaps that I hope their classless behavior ushers in a new era of Yankees futility.

Meanwhile, back in Cleveland, Beckett was masterful in dominating the surprising Indians club once again.  In 8 innings, Beckett allowed only one run on five hits and struck out eleven.  His post-season numbers in beating the Indians twice and Angels once are a nifty 1.17 ERA in 23 innings, having fanned 26 and walked just one !  Beckett has shown himself to be one of the best, if not THE best, post-season pitcher in recent baseball history, having previously guided the Florida Marlins to a World Series Championship.

Manny Ramirez was fantastic once again, if just for his 3rd-inning single that set off a bit of pandemonium as the ball hit off the top of the wall and appeared to be a home run.  Of course, any other player would have had a double at the very least.  Manny being Manny, he once again paused at home plate to admire his blast.  And then argued with the umpires.  He also made news when he supposedly said something to the effect that he didn't care whether the Red Sox won the Series or not.  And I believe him ! 

Whatever you may think about Manny Ramirez, he is one hell of a baseball player, plays hard when it means something, and there is no better hitter in the game.  He continued his hot hitting last night, going 2 for 4 with just one RBI but is now hitting .471 in the Series.  The batting hero for the Red Sox last night was Kevin Youkilis, who went 2 for 4, hit a home run and drove in three.  David Ortiz was not to be denied, however, and is now batting .400 for the Series, going 1 for 2 with 2 ribbies.

The scrappy Cleveland club must now go back to Beantown for a Saturday night game against Curt Schilling.  While they have beaten Schilling once already in Boston, they may not have the same success with the pressure on.  If they let the "Sawx" back in by losing Game 6, anything could happen in Game 7 and the odds would have to be in the favor of the Red Sox.  Schilling has always shone in big-game situations, the most notable one of course an unforgettable performance with a bloodied sock.  Although Fausto Carmona, one of the Indians two aces, appears to have both feet in good shape, he did not shine in his Game Two outing, allowing 4 earned runs in as many innings.  Although the Indians relief pitchers saved the day in Game Two, there is certainly no guarantee they can repeat their fine performances with the pressure of the Indians season being on the line.

If Boston can eke out a win in Game 6, it’ll be their high-priced acquisition from Japan, Dice K, Daisuko Matsuzaka vs the Tribe’s Jake Westbrook .  While Westbrook looked great in Game 3, allowing just two runs in 6 2/3 innings, he got whacked in his previous start against the Yankees.  Matsuzaka took the loss in Game 3, giving up 4 earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, and I would think faces enormous pressure, having tired in the second half and with one mediocre (at best) performance already on the board in the post-season.

But in order to reach Game 7, the Red Sox have to figure out Carmona once again and handle the Indians relief staff, which has been “lights out” thus far.  The win in Game 2 eventually went to Tom Mastny after Manny Ramirez and then Mike Lowell bailed out starter Curt Schilling with consecutive homers in the bottom of the fifth.  Guys like Betancourt, Mastny and Borowski closed out the Sox while another one of Boston’s acquisitions, Eric Gagne opened the flood gates for the Tribe in the 11^th.

There is a good likelihood, I’d think, that it could come down to relief pitching again.  With possibly a different result.  With the exception of Gagne, relievers such as Okajima, Papelbon and Timlin can be tough in a tight spot.  Look for a Game 7 in this Series.  And a very exciting one, one that will outshine the football schedule for Sunday and earn its own way into Monday’s headlines.

The winners, of course, will face the prospect of matching the firepower of the unbelievable Colorado Rockies, who perhaps will have cooled off somewhat with the long layoff after destroying the Diamondbacks.  Either of these teams certainly has the pitching to shut down good hitters, and their potent lineups should be able to score against a relatively weak starting pitching staff of the Rock-tober phenomenon of the Rockies. 

Look for the Red Sox to prevail in Boston Saturday and Sunday.  The inexperienced Carmona will tighten up again.  Jake Westbrook hasn’t been the picture of consistency either.  After a wild celebration in Beantown, it’ll be back to Josh Beckett again and the beginning of the end for the Colorado upstarts.  It may take six games but the Red Sox will prevail.