Do or Die....

I've neglected my blog completely in the post season. It's been a wild, crazy ride - with the sweep of the Angels. Guys, you made it look so easy - I must admit now that I terribly underestimated the Indians. I don't question your ability to beat them - I just didn't realize it would be this difficult to do so.

So. Once again, the Red Sox find themselves in a "must win" situation. There is no alternative. Failure is not an option. I so strongly believe that Tito - you lost game 3 all on your own - the pitching didn't lose that game, the batters didn't lose that game - you lost it. You will not accept that Gagne is not capable. Each time you bring him out of the bullpen, you might as well just send everyone home, the odds almost guarantee that he'll blow it somehow. You know it, I know it...what is the problem? Why do you insist on continuing to play him? Red Sox Nation wants to know, Terry. What's up with that? Please do not let me see him take the mound tonight...my tender heart cannot take it.

Wakefield. Oh, Wakefield. This is one time that I thought maybe the starting pitcher should have stayed in for one more out. Truth is: I prayed for a rainout so Beckett could pitch the next evening. Wish it would've gone that way. It didn't. It wasn't all Wake's fault - the bats were silent, the ump calls bad. Nothing could go right. Let's not have a replay.

It's do or die, Gentlemen. Luckily, we're a clinch team, it motivates us, we must get angry to win. We didn't need the hype for the Angels, which is unusual, we had the momentum of finishing the season with a 2 game lead - kinda cushy for the Red Sox. I was at Fenway for the final game of the season - you played like it didn't matter - because it didn't. I - and other Red Sox fanatics everywhere - actually had 2 days of not having to wonder what the hell the Yankees had done the night before. It was refreshing. One thing I will say about the final regular season game at Fenway - the loss was Ok with us, the Fenway Faithful - what was special about this game was that we got to see every player on the field at one time or another, and thank each one for a fabulous season. But...now, we're long past regular season...it's crunch time. Do or die. You want drama? You got it: Beckett vs. Sabathia. You want pressure: Win tonight or make your tee times for this weekend. You want great baseball - swing the bats. That's all it will take to make magic tonight in Cleveland.

Hey Tito...how about putting Ellsbury in Drew's spot in the lineup...it might fill in some gaps. Lugo, Pedroia and Crisp - SWING at something, will you? Dustin - you're Rookie of the Year, but maybe someone forgot to tell you - you have to hit in the postseason, too!?

Personally - this fan didn't feel the need to play or beat the Yankees in the postseason to be the best team in baseball in 2007. Some people feel that way, I don't. However, I do feel that we need to beat the Indians to have beaten the Yankees.

Whatever you have left, men - BRING IT. Again - I know you're tired...I know some of you are hurting....I know it's a long season. But, this is Sox-tober. You own it. We believe. Get 'er done. This is your call to action. None of us want to get refunds for our tickets to this weekend's games. We want you to win tonight, come home and let us show you how grateful we are.

With hope, faith and much love,
Ann, the Red Sox Fan