So I wanted to write about the Pats again and how I think the season will play out but something happened last night at Fenway that I feel almost obligated to write about. So torn. So Torn.
Well, I’ve ignored the Sox for a little while now so let’s go with a Sox column.
I’ll start off by saying I had this one down as a loss. The West leading Angels coming to town, Matsucrappa pitching for the Sox and no Victor Martinez or Kevin Youkilis in the lineup. It was a recipe for disaster, especially with John Lackey on the hill. Then I remembered that Lackey sucks against the Sox. Something like 3-2 since 2006 with an ERA over five at Fenway. Maybe it won’t be too bad.
Then, like Monday night’s fumble on the kickoff return, a Boston Sports miracle. Matsucrappa turned into a pitcher again. I’m not going to go overboard and say he turned into Cy Young or anything but he was pitching with purpose. No longer trying to throw the junk around the plate. He threw his fast balls…for strikes. So he pitched into the seventh inning and normally that would be a pitch count nearing 200 for him but he’d only thrown 93 pitches when Francona came and got him.
Now is this enough for me to lift the Matsucrappa moniker? Not quite. Let’s see him do it a couple more times before the playoffs before we start changing names. But this does have to lift the spirits of dejected Sox fans in search of a #4 starter for the post season. With Wakefield knocking on retirement’s doorstep and no sign if he’ll be back this season this was definitely a sign of possible good things on the horizon for the Sox. Do you really want Paul Byrd as your #4 after his last shelling?
As it stands the Sox hold a five and a half game lead over the Rangers in the Wild Card. A far cry from top of the standings like in 2007 but if you get hot at the right time, you can carry momentum into the post season. Look at what the Rockies are doing out west (who had them pegged in the Wild Card chase?).
Now’s the time with a safe enough lead to get some guys a little rest (the Sox are in a 20 games in 20 days stretch) and get your rotation set for the post season. And like I said, if the team catches fire, who knows what’ll happen in the post season. As it stands your first round match up would be the Angels. I’m sure the Sox are just licking their chops.
