Game 3 - Angels Outlast Sox

Nothing is a given in these playoff series, and reputation does not guarantee a win. If so, one could pencil the Yankees into the World Series every year. As we know, they have been watching just like the rest of us. The RS big gun, Josh Beckett, had almost nothing but gutted through 5 very rough innings. The unsung All Star Tony Saunders, outpitched Beckett just as he has done all year long, especially against Boston. The outcome was truly not a surprise with the desperate Halos starting the better hurler right now. What was very enjoyable was the grit and determination demonstrated by both clubs after the SLOPPY first five frames. Great stuff !!

Beckett was under constant pressure by the Angels from the first batter onward. His fastball location was TERRIBLE, and only got worse as he struggled onward. He clearly was not close to 100% physically, and if this were the regular season he likely would not have been out there. Combined with the rust from not having pitched in a real game in 2 weeks, he could not put the ball where he needed and wanted to. In addition, twice he did not get over in time to cover first base. These were egregious blunders. The 3-2 curveball to Napoli was over the heart of the dish, about a half foot from Varitek's set-up location. Not the worst pitch ever but it was a little high, and give credit where it is due, Napoli CRUSHED it. The second Napoli homer was even more symptomatic of his location troubles. That heater was supposed to be down and away too and ended up and in, whereupon Napoli jumped on it and hit a SCREAMER into the second row of the Monster seats.

On the other side, Saunders was dealing, but was the victim of High School type communication error between a jittery Howie Kendrick and Torii Hunter. From this writer's viewpoint, Kendrick was the culprit. He was playing under extreme duress because of his FLAILINGS at the plate in the first two games, and did not take charge as he should have. Normally, the CF is at fault on these since he has the right of way, but Hunter has a bum knee and Kendrick panicked and backed off at the last second. If they had lost and had to go home, this blunder would have haunted them for a long time, considering the monkey they already had on their backs with the long losing streak against the RS in post season. However, Napoli pulled them even with the first of his two BOMBS and later put them ahead with the second drive.

After the LASER hit by Youkilis to dead center which hit off the wall tied the affair in the fifth, the bullpens TOOK OVER. The Arredondo/Shields/Oliver/K-Rod/Weaver fivesome stifled the Sox at every turn. There were a couple of really good opportunities to break through, but they held the fort. Conversely, the RS bullpen crew of Delcarmen, Oki, Masterson, Papelbon, and Javy Lopez matched them pitch for pitch, until Javy finally spit the bit. Truth be told, he pitched very well also, but got beat by a couple of ground ball singles and a BLOOP after the perfect sacrifice.

Those 2 bullpen efforts by both sides clearly demonstrate why teams are always looking for POWER ARMS in the playoffs. They keep the ball out of play with the K's. Contrast them to the contact guys who must have the defense behind them. Some of those grounders/bloopers just cannot be caught, no matter how good the defense is.

Give the Angels a lot of credit. First, Kendrick was dropped from the 6 spot to eighth, with Napoli moving up one. How did that WON work out ?? Also, Chone Figgins was back to his table-setting best, at least for the majority of the game. At the end, he made two really nice defensive plays too, the last on Cora to end it a BEAUTY.

For the RS, Petey, Lowell, and Papi are really struggling. Pedroia is getting caught between the customary second batter duties and his third batter type stroke. He cannot move the runners over so far and has taken some room service fastballs with Ellsbury usually on in front of him and trying to steal second. He still needs to move the runners when the situation calls for it, but he must be aggressive and hit away, even if Ellsbury is on the move. The Lowell injury sitaution dictates that he must NOT play. He should be saved for a key pinch hit occasion ONLY. Besides, both he and Ortiz are clearly GUESSING and taking pitches they would normally smash. Ortiz, especially against the immortal Darren Oliver (he was HORRIBLE here), is getting caught in beween and guessing. He needs to go back to just seeing the ball and hitting it. Both he and Pedroia MUST hit or we will all have to endure another Dice-K debacle, this time for all the marbles. Not too many fans here I know have the stomach for that, or the 5 hours it will probably take early in the morning in a REGULATION game for him to pitch it.

All that brings us to tonight. Clearly, Lester is the best up-and-coming pitcher in the AL, but he must PITCH to that level of excellence. Lackey can be a tough cookie, but I'm betting the RS can get to him. Certainly 6 hits again tonight probably won't suffice. I doubt it, but this could again turn out to be a bullpen game late, but tonight will be different with both top relievers on both sides nearly spent. Maybe one inning MAX for both.

It should be fun, BRING IT ON !!! I think the Angels will be flying back to California ALONE though.

BYE