As I watched the early innings of last night's game, I considered Schilling - and the impact of this particular game on his career. Expectations were high, certainly - bloody sock history, must-win scenario...sure, there was all of that. But, I thought to myself, as I watched the fastballs and change-ups flying....I wonder, if he didn't win - what would become of him? Would he be retired next year? We all know he's looking for a $13 million contract - and we all pretty much know he's not going to get that much....but, would there by any offer to keep Curt in white and red next year? Of course - I don't know the answer - but, this I do know: Curt had to be wondering the same thing - and he pitched like it mattered. Experience, I believe, played a key factor....Fausto isn't clutch. And, now...though I still wonder what will become of Curt Schilling next year - I'm so very grateful to him for such an amazing outing as he had last night. Curt, you are now, and always will be, an important part of Red Sox history.
Of course....every great pitching effort must have run support. And, that it had! See what happens when you SWING?! Drew - you are the hero of last night - but it also took the rest of the village to get that job done - a grand slam, total of 4 RBIs for J.D....but, for those runs to happen, there had to be players on base...and plenty of them there were...8 more, to be exact. Every player (save Varitek) got a hit last night. Amazing. And, Captain - no worries, you had Curt's back, that's what we needed most.
Nice work...now, let's move on...
Game 7. It's a beautiful, unseasonably warm night here in Boston...the crowd at Fenway could very well be the largest ever...somewhere close to 34,000, give or take, I'm sure. We're home - we're loved - and we've got momentum. The excitement and anxiety are palpable. The fate of the 2007 Red Sox and a berth in the World Series will literally be put in the right hand of Daisuke Matsuzaka. I don't like to make any predictions about what will or won't happen, and I'm not anti-Dice-K....I don't think I've ever even bashed him on my blog....but, I expect Dice-K to pitch this game the exact same way he's pitched every game this year. Some say he has good and bad outings, he certainly has won some and lost some. But, if you really pay attention to his game - it's the same game, every game....all that differs is the run support, fielding and Francona's intuition of exactly when he needs to come out - which can be a bit off, in my opinion. Everyone who reads my blog knows that. I don't think Dice-K will pitch badly....I don't think he'll be dominant. He'll pitch 6 pitches at every batter, he'll put people on base and then save himself. He'll pitch until the 6th, hopefully. Generally, that's what he does. He's not like Wakefield - who's on or not, he's not like Schilling who typically performs as poorly as his last win was good and vice versa....he's Dice-K....steady, predictable, solid Dice-K. Every pitcher is available tonight...and, it just might take that. And, then, maybe it won't. Maybe we'll have a 10 run lead like we did last night. If wishing makes it so, Gentlemen - start chilling the champagne. (Hey - Pap, easy on the booze this time...K, Kid?)
All we need is runs. The rest will take care of itself. Wish we could've zip-locked up the extra runs from last night and saved them - like yesterday's lasagna - always better the 2nd day? So...to each and every member of the line-up tonight: Let's play it again, Sam....SWING BATTAH! Damn it, for the love of God, SWING.
Don't get all complacent and caulky from the last 2 major wins, guys....because the end of the 2007 season is just as close tonight as it was last night and as it was Thursday night. That's the reality. Let tonight be full of the greatest baseball you've ever played. GET IT DONE.
Feelin' the love,
Ann, the Red Sox fan
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