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I agree. All the analysts were saying the Cards won't have the pitching to go far, but it's done well so far (granted, against a relatively weak LA lineup). If the Cards and Yanks play against each other in the WS, it may be the highest scoring World Series of all time! I can see the headline now: Game 7: St. Louis Cardinals are the new world champion! subheader: Beat New York 15-14 in 12.

I might be the only one who thinks this, but this game is CRUCIAL. Both the Red Sox and Angels are saying that momentum ends with each game, and that past games mean nothing... but let's face facts: The Red Sox NEED to win this game. Here's why: Momentum is a very real thing. We have it now, but if Anaheim wins, they have the momentum. All of a sudden, the Red Sox are faced with the pressure of losing 2 straight at home, and the Sox DO NOT want to go back to Anaheim. Only 1 team has lost its first 2 games AT HOME and come back to win the series: The New York Yankees. So, of course, history is on Boston's side. HOWEVER, if any team is capable of making historic collapses, it's the Red Sox. I don't need to say any more words on this topic. With each Anaheim win, the momentum swings, and the pressure on Boston players mounts. Anaheim, despite losing the first 2 games of this series, is a VERY good team and is capable of winning 3 games in a row. I love this team, and I am confident in this team. But I urge fans not to get over confident, or to write off the Anaheim Angels just because we're in the driver's seat. Just last year, the Red Sox lost the first 2 games of a series, but were able to come back and win 3 straight. It's happened 7 times before we did it last year, too. So, with that out of the way, I believe the Red Sox can win tonight's game. Arroyo hasn't lost a game since August 15th, and he's 5-0 in 9 starts since then. Discouraging statistics: Only 1 of those 4 wins was recorded at home (against Detroit). He gave up 5 runs in BOTH of his last 2 home starts (against Baltimore and Anaheim) He's 0-1 with a 9.72 ERA against Anaheim. Encouraging statistics: The Red Sox have won all 9 of the starts Bronson has made since August 15th. Bronson has held righties to a .227 BA this season. Anaheim's big power bats (Guerrero and Glaus) are right handed. Bronson's performance against the Yankees at New York (6 IP, 2 R) shows he doesn't buckle under pressure. The bullpen is rested. The offense is hot. The Red Sox need Arroyo to outpitch Escobar for 6 innings, and the bullpen to close it out.

I remember all too well last season and into this one when everyone was saying Pedro was washed up because his fastball was in the high 80s. They said he could still be effective if he could get it into the low 90s. I don't know what happened, maybe he was saving himself for this, but this is as hard as he's thrown since before his injuries.... He seems like he's got an extra 3-5 MPH on that heater... which is a big deal for any pitcher. I've said this before, but I'll say it one more time: If anyone doubted Pedro's ability to be the ace of a staff, they are wrong. Last night Pedro came out and did what an ace is required to do: Give your team the chance to win every night. He battled, he came back with a little extra on his fastball in key situations, and he got the win. Pedro and Schilling have done their jobs as co-aces of this staff.

seriously, guys. I'm confident too, but these ARE the Red Sox. don't be so sure of a sweep tonight. Bronson's struggled at Fenway this year, and Escobar, including a 3.74 ERA and a 7-4 record on the road. Arroyo? is 3-5 with a 5.35 ERA at Fenway this season. Yes, I'm the first one to admit that the regular season doesn't mean anything at this point.... but considering Arroyo's faced Anaheim twice this season, and holds a 9.72 ERA... The numbers don't bode well for the Red Sox. On the other hand, the Red Sox play .631 at home (48-28). The offense is clicking, Escobar holds a 4.50 ERA (in only 1 start where he gave up 3 runs) against the Red Sox, and after having pitched VERY well against New York IN YANKEE STADIUM no less, I believe Arroyo is capable of stepping up his game when necessary. He'll need to tonight.

I agree with you, because in past years, weaker Twins teams even have won that division.... This particular Twins team could be dangerous, but their starters (after Santana) are going to have to step uo. Santana simply can't carry this team over New York. he's slated to pitch game 4, but assuming they win his other start, they still need a win from Radke in #5 or Silva Friday night. Any decision on who Torre's throwing at Santana on Saturday? I'd guess El Duque, man that gives him a huge advantage in this series: Brown vs Silva -- Advantage Yankees. Santana vs Duque -- Advantage Twins. Mussina vs Radke -- Advantage Yankees. The Yankees aren't as deep as they've been in past years, but let's face it: With Mussina, Duque, and Lieber... (not to mention Brown and Vazquez) They are deep enough to win it all.

True, but Minnesota (this season) had the same record as Anaheim did, and better than Oakland. They're a good team.

I agree. The Twins/Yankee games were TIGHT. Last night's Red Sox/Angel game was TIGHT (until the end). I think it's great. Good baseball all around, and the best part is: Everyone's got a shot. There's no one team in the AL that's definately going to walk away with it. I would say that New York and Boston have the advantages at this point, but I wouldn't be surprised to see both series' go 5 games. Minnesota's a good team. They have Santana, but the rest of their players get no love from the media and credit for being so good. There's a reason why they've won 3 straight AL Central titles. Brown vs Silva on Friday night. I'm giving the Yankees the edge in this one.

I stayed up, but I didn't post during the game (you'll notice my posts were late morning) Anyway, another point to add was that we scored 1 run off of Rodriguez, and 4 off of Donnelly... so for at least last night, we did the impossible: scored off of the Anaheim bullpen. At the very least, this team can enter the rest of the series with a little more confidence against the likes of Shields, Rodriguez, and Donnelly. I can't say enough good things about last nights game. Sox overcame a deficit, a bad play, missed opportunities, and came back to get the "W" Pedro was awesome, and Cabrera/Ramirez are forgiven for their defensive blunder! 2-0 Sox. This series is far from over, but Sox fans everywhere have got to feel good heading back to Fenway (where the Sox have played MUCH better)

Yes. He's going to take heat for that, because Minnesota's got a decent pen. Closers nowadays typically work 1 inning, some closers can work 2 (Foulke, Rivera and others), but not even Francona would ask Foulke to pitch 3 innings. That's asking for trouble. On the Subject of the Yankees, they're going with Kevin Brown on Friday for game 3. Does this mean that there's something wrong with El Duque? are they saving him for game 4? Thoughts?

Pedro gave the Sox EVERYTHING you ask for in an ace pitcher. He battled hard, kept them in the game, and dialed it up when he needed to. What an effort. This is the Pedro we need if we're going to get anywhere in the playoffs.

I'm shocked that not one person here mentioned Pedro Martinez' velocity. Maybe it's because I listen to the radio (and they didn't mention it on TV), but Pedro his 95 on the radar gun...IN THE SEVENTH INNING! Considering this is as hard as he's thrown in a while, I take that as a good sign. He seemed to be pitching very well (and if it wasn't for a defensive blunder by Cabrera/Ramirez, he may have only given up 1 run... who knows) and was the key to this game. Yes, thanks to Tek and Manny we scored the necessary runs... But Pedro really battled (especially in the seventh) and kept us in the game. A well deserved win for Mr. Martinez. I'm so excited. Not even the Yankees winning last night can get me down!

I'd like to say (and I'll say it more than once because it makes me happy) that Pedro hit 95 on the radar gun last night... in the seventh inning! Big big news, considering as far as I know that's as hard as Pedro's thrown in a long time. He was very good last night, and good enough to get the win (which is all that's important).

Erstad's a 300 hitter who stole 16 bases this year. He's NOT a typical first baseman, because he's not a power hitter. I have to say that the only first baseman I could find with worse numbers than Estrad were: Todd Zeile. Doug Mientkiewicz. I'd actually take Erstad over Olerud right now, too. Granted, Olerud is the only STARTING first baseman that has been worse than Erstad this season.

Hey guys: I have a question about last nights game Rivera got a blown save but all runs were charged to Gordon. Seems like the Yankee bullpen is not as dominant as people think. My question: How did Rivera look? Was he getting hit hard, did the twinkies get lucky? Thanks

Pedro will be the key to this game. I expect Colon to step it up, but if they both bring their "A" game, the Sox should win. The key will be TAKING ADVANTAGE when Colon gets into trouble. GET THE JOB DONE boys! I can't wait. I'm listening to the MFY pregame now.... because I need my baseball fix... what am I gunna do when there's no more baseball?!?!? Go Twins! Go Sox!

How's this? http://www.18eaststreet.com/articles/angelsvssoxpart1.html

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I liked what I heard from Santana too. The thing that separates good pitchers from great pitchers is being able to pitch in pressure situations, and Santana did that MASTERFULLY. The Yankees hit him hard throughout the game, had a baserunner on in every inning he pitched, but he always got out of a jam. Santana gave the Twins everything you can dream of in the "ace" of your staff. On the other hand, so did Mussina. He just happened to pitch SLIGHTLY worse than Santana. I'd be a little nervous to face either of these guys right now.

In response to your comment about Sheff, couldn't the same be said about Ramirez? I mean, while a lineup without Ramirez wouldn't be nearly as feared, this team still would have made the playoffs without him (IMHO). However, I think Guerrero carried Anaheim when they were missing key guys. Plus, he's a much more well-rounded player. Manny only helps you with ONE dimension of the game-- his bat.

it's easy for things to change topics drastically, huh? I didn't think I was bashing Nomar at all. If it was taken that way... I apologize. I was just saying it's a lot easier to forget about him and move on with Orlando Cabrera in his place. Garciaparra's only mistake was getting greedy. Otherwise, he was a class act and a great player for Boston.

I hate the Boston Media. I hate them. I hate how they tried to create a fight between Schilling and Williamson, Schilling and Pedro, etc, etc. GET A LIFE, PEOPLE!! Pedro is Pedro. He's one of the top pitchers in the game. His job is to win baseball games, and as long as he wins baseball games, he's OK in my book. Frankly, if the Boston Media did to me what they do to the Red Sox players, I'd probably leave too. This just in: Pedro Martinez has an argument with his wife over him not taking out the trash! (Since it's hard to tell sarcasm over the internet, I'll say it straight out: I made up the above headline) WHO THE HELL CARES!!

I have to disagree with this statement. I think a lot of people are making a big deal out of nothing with Pedro's start against the Yankees. Let's not forget he had a 4-3 lead going into the 8th inning, and against the Yankees, I'd take Pedro giving up 3 runs every time. They've got a great offensive team, and we should beat them more than half the time if they only score 3 runs. Pedro gave the lead up in the end, but he was over 100 pitches, and historically, SUCKS at that point in the game. Terry should have taken him out. I stand by my theory that Pedro's start against the Yankees was a good, quality start. He shouldn't have been pitching in the 8th inning at all! If he'd come out, regardless of the outcome, we'd have known that Pedro gave us a chance to win in a very important game against a key rival, and that's all you can ask of your ace pitcher, because nobody's perfect. Hell, Schilling gave up 3 runs YESTERDAY but because the Sox scored 9 to back him up nobody's jumping all over him. He had a couple rough outings sandwiching that game at Fenway Park (including one against the Yankees), but I expect nothing short of a good outing from Pedro Martinez. Nobody's perfect. Pedro's slumped a bit near the end, but doesn't everyone go through slumps? Why is everyone so quick to turn on the man who CARRIED this pitching staff for 6 years?!?

I HAVE to respond to this post. Washburn is NOT the best starter Anaheim's going to throw at us. Remember, 5 days ago they were TIED with Oakland, so they had to use their top 2 guys (Colon and Escobar) to get them INTO the playoffs, and were prepared to throw Washburn on Sunday. In fact, Washburn is their #3 starter (IMHO). Which is why I'm not terribly excited about last night's lopsided victory. Schilling vs Washburn.... we were SUPPOSED to win. If we hadn't, I'd be seriously dissapointed. That being said, the Sox played a great game all around. Let's hope this gives them momentum for the series. Isn't it amazing how Orlando Cabrera makes most Sox fans forget all about Nomar?!? He walked twice last night, and got a hit, and played GREAT defense.