Red Sox Need Win Tonight To Force Series Back To Florida
Thursday, October 16th, 2008 | MLB, Sports
The Boston Red Sox face the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series tonight, October 16th at Fenway Park in Boston. The Rays moved up ace Scott Kazmir to pitch tonight’s important game. Kazmir didn’t last 5 innings against the Red Sox in Game 2 of the ALCS – he gave up 5 runs and 6 hits (including 3 home runs) in the no decision – but Manager Joe Madden still has faith in his ace. The Red Sox will counter with Daisuke Matsuzaka. Matsuzaka has been the Red Sox most consistent pitcher throughout the 2008 post-season. Matsuzaka won Game 1 of the ALCS pitching 7 scoreless innings and giving up only 4 hits and 2 walks. The Red Sox have faced this situation before. In 2004, the Red Sox trailed the New York Yankees 3-0 in the ALCS before winning the next 8 games to win the ALCS and the 2004 World Series over the St. Louis Cardinals. In 2007, the Red Sox trailed the Cleveland Indians 3-1 in the ALCS before winning the next 7 games to win the ALCS and the 2007 World Series over the Colorado Rockies. The Red Sox seem to put it all together when their backs are against the wall. A Rays win tonight, on the other hand, puts the Rays into the World Series for the 1st time in the club’s franchise. Only time will tell whether the Rays head home to St. Petersburg to prepare for Game 6 against the Red Sox on Saturday, October 18th or to prepare for Game 1 of the World Series against the Philadlephia Phillies.
