Game 7 tonight
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by Hoops2662
One game. Nine innings. Twenty-seven outs. All to get one win in hopes of keeping the dream alive.
That's what is at stake tonight for the Red Sox and the Indians in game 7 of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park. In game 6 last night, everything worked for Boston. Sticking with JD Drew paid off huge dividends in the very first inning, taking a 3-1 dead red fastball into the centerfield camera area for a grand slam and early 4-0 Sox lead. Then, with "Big game" Curt Schilling getting out of a two-on, none out jam in the top of the third, the Sox rewarded him with 6 for a 10-1 lead, a lead helped by rookie Jacoby Ellsbury, who scored his first ALCS runs as well as his initiail ALCS hit later in the game. Even Eric Gagne looked impressive in closing the door on Cleveland in the ninth for a 12-2 victory and a 3-3 series stance.
Gone is the 3-1 Cleveland edge in the series. Gone are their top two starters legend. The only way CC Sabathia or Fausto Carmona will make any difference in this series positively for the Indians is if they come in for relief on Sunday night. And if they do come in for relief, that may not be a good sign for Tribe fans.
Now, while Sox nation was confident with Schilling, who masterfully crafted seven innings without his best stuff, they are equally questionable about Diasuke Matsuzaka. They hope he does well, but his last several outings haven't given us that positive outlook we all crave. Can he do it? Absolutely. Will he do it? Tonight will show the true tale of his make-up.
As for Jake Westbrook, he pounded the strike zone to the tune of 14 first pitch strikes to the first 15 batters in game 3 to garner the 4-2 win over Dice-K. Can he do it again in a big spot, a win or go home game? He must if Cleveland has any chance of keeping this a game heading into the late innings.
Gut feeling: Fox will be happy with a Red Sox / Rockies World Series. Your thoughts?
