10 things going into Game 2:
- After putting up two touchdowns on the board, the Sox might be prime for a letdown and be content with a split, and a split could lead to Boston closing the series out at Fenway, where they play lights out.
- Just in case anybody forgot, Boston was down 3-0 to the Yankees in last year's ALCS. You know the rest. I don't think being down 1-0 is going to faze them.
- Joe Crede might only hit two-fitty, but the heads up play to tag out Millar at third on a bad throw from Iguchi sucked the momentum away from Boston in the only inning they scratched up runs against Contreras' A-game. Run prevention is just as clutch as run production.
- SCOTT-EE, SCOTT-EE, SCOTT-EE - the reception in the left field bleachers after Podsednik trotted out to his position after cranking his first homer of the season, with accompanying kowtowing. Awesome stuff.
- I hope Ozzie keeping El Duque on the roster for this round, basically to caddy for Jose Contreras, won't bite us in the butt, since El Duque is not going to pitch any meaningful innings. But the caddying, along with the early lead, apparently worked.
- I like that we made Boston use 3 relievers.
- I don't think we'll be as successful against Wells tomorrow in the running game, since lefties tend to shut down steals. But he is hittable. Having an early lead made all the difference, and chances are good for doing it again. Wells doesn't walk anybody and is always around the plate, which would seem to matchup well with the Sox's aggressive hitting tendencies. Unfortunately, Buehrle's been the same way to Boston.
- I LOVE that Ozzie batted Dye third in front of Konerko. He must be reading this blog. Cuz why wouldn't you.
- Good to see Cotts get the call to face only Nixon in the 8th. He'll still be available tomorrow to face Ortiz, Damon or Nixon, if needed.
- Contreras looked completely in control, baffling lefties with the splitter (or what looked like the splitter, judging from the radar gun) and righties with a flatter, more sidearm delivery.
In other playoff news, San Diego is now toast, since Peavy is gone. Also, watching Garret Anderson do his best impression of Bernie Williams in the outfield is going to hurt them. The Angels are a pitching and defense team, and I'm surprised they would allow such a hobbled defender out in the field instead of DHing him.
I'm exhausted from watching the best game my team has every played. I can't wait to get my now-slightly-rank Sufjan shirt back on and watch it all over again. I mean, how much grilled food does it take to kill you?
