Just Joshin' Ya

With the weight of his team's season on his shoulders, Boston Red Sox ace Josh Beckett delivered again Thursday night, allowing just one run over 8, striking out 11, and out-dueling C.C. Sabathia (again) to send the ALCS back to Boston.

Having watched much of the game myself, I am convinced Beckett has the most devastating combination of fastball/curveball in all of baseball. He was in the mid-to-high 90's all night and got so many swings and misses with his hammer (and a few called strikes as well) I just don't see how people make consistent, solid contact against this guy. Even when he fell behind hitters (2-0, 3-1) they still took very awkward, unsure hacks and ended up punching out or putting the ball in play weakly.

So that's the good news for Sox fans- you're headed home for games 6 and 7.

The bad news is you have Curt Schilling and Daisuke Matsuzaka starting must-win games, and you have a bullpen that, let's face it, Terry Francona simply doesn't trust beyond Jonathan Papelbon. This postseason, Boston's relievers have a 4.63 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, zero saves or holds, and 14 walks in 23 1/3 IP.

Now for a real-life example of Francona's lack of trust. Last night, going into the bottom of the 8th inning, the Sox were already up 7-1 but Francona sent Beckett out to get 3 more outs. Now, I know he hadn't hit 100 pitches yet and was dominating, but if I'm a manager staring down two more elimination games Saturday and Sunday and can possibly have JB work relief in Game 7, why not yank him after 7 with a comfy lead and let your trusty pen get the last 6 outs? Ah, I know- because you don't have a trusty pen.

I also know this. After their extra innings extravaganza Saturday night (into Sunday morning) Cleveland no longer fears Fenway. And if Schilling and Dicey don't go deep into the game, the Sox could be thrown in the hamper.

With most of the focus this post about Boston's pitching, I want to make a quick note about their offense. It's remarkable how they go as Pedroia and Youkilis go. In the two games they've won, their 1-2 hitters are 7-16 with a .526 OBP, 7 runs scored, and 3 RBI. But in the 3 games they've lost, Pedroia and Youkilis are 6-23 with a .346 OBP, 2 runs scored, and 1 RBI. They're hitting in front of two of the best in the game. But if they don't get on, Manny and Papi's homeruns and solo shots, and their singles don't drive anybody in. Funny how that works.