Save us (again), Pedro

A second close loss to the Yankees has put the Red Sox in quite a hole. Or maybe we have 'em right where we want 'em. Just ask the Indians what happens when you go two games up on the Sox.

Can Pedro Martinez save the season, or are we pretty much done with baseball in Boston for the century?

Rich, El Paso
The Boston Red Sox are in real trouble if they think they're in a good situation. There's a big difference between the Indians pitching staff and the Yankees. If the Red Sox do not start capitalizing with men in scoring position, this series will end on Sunday,even with the magnificent Pedro.

Yankee Fan, NY
Remember Babe Ruth Curse......
all aside game 1 and 2 were nail biters.
see ya next Oct

Colin, Bedford
No blown calls? How about Knoblauch safe at first in the first yet called out? How about Offerman getting caught stealing in the fifth, but the ump calling him safe (for which would have been the third out, negating Nomar's HR)?
It should have been 3-0.

Rick, CO
I bet Pedro strikes out 15 on Saturday and that the Rocket goes home with his boyfriend.

John Hyde, Ocala, FL
What do you mean no blown calls what game were you watching.. knobloch was safe at first base shown on replay as well as Offerman was tagged out on steal at second base... what game were you watching.. no wonder you guys missinform sports fans, you only report one sided..watch the game as sport reporter and try to be professional..

Mike, Brockton
First off, I think Ramon did a great job, it'll be good to have both Martinez for all of next season.
Our bullpen, with the exception of Lowe, and our remaining starting pitching is too weak to expect to beat a team as good as the Yankees. I despise them with all my heart, but they are very good.
Defensively, we also need to improve. Nomar is one of the best players in the league, and can get to almost any ball, but he does make some questionable throws. The rest of the infield's defense is dismal.
And lastly, get Daubach at of the 3rd spot, if not out of the lineup. He'll be a good hitter in time, but now is not that time. Either drop him down, way down, or give Husky a chance in the 4 spot and move Nomar to the 3 spot.
With the exception of when Pedro pitches, we'll need outrageous offensive numbers to hope to win a game. I just can't see that happening against the Yankees, who pitch 5 times better than the Indians (at least!)

Courtney, Orlando, FL
As a die hard Sox fan as long as I can remember, I feel like my heart is being ripped out, very sl-ow-ly. The only hope is that they are losing the first two just to make it more exciting at the end. If they do win it all, I'm gonna fly up from Orlando just for the parade!!

Mark S., Cambridge
This team has gone as far as it can. To win 94? games in the regular season and then defeat the Indians in the post-season was a great accomplishment. Reality check - the Yankees have better pitching, compimentary offense, and a history of success in the post-season. This series will go six games at the most.

Mark, Boston
I am so tired of hearing about the curse!! We just didn't drive any runs in when it counted, no curse, just a lack of execution. Let's face it if we had been facing Cleveland's pitchers we would have scored at least three more runs. The Yankees have a much better staff with very good relief. They are a very good team, but we have proved we can beat them. Lets have fun and enjoy the great weekend of competition, Clemons vs. Martinez how great is that?

Paul, VT
What are the two teams combined weight measures? If the gloves and bats were dropped, who would emerge with the V? Husky (aptly named) looks to be very good with a knife and fork and could probably do more than just scrap. I'd love to see him drop Paul O'Neill on his candyass. I bet big Jim Rice could still give a science lecture, too. Here's to Troy O'Leary bonking Knoblauch on his blauch. Last, I bet Jimy Williams's ball cap is like Odd Job's from James Bond. He could fling that sucker right at the Rocket.

Dave, Holliston
Go Sox. I still believe!

Curt, Hamilton
Does it make you people feel any better to commiserate over a couple of inches? A loss is a loss. Lamenting over missed opportunities, blown calls, and homeruns that almost were helps about as much as Butch Huskey pinch-hitting against Mendoza with the bases loaded and only one out. Obviously, I am a Yankee fan and have been to both the Stadium and Fenway for NY-Bos match-ups and I have to say that Boston fans are more concerned about putting down the Yankees than cheering for the Bosox. Why don't you guys get your priorities straight and try to help out your team instead of simply yelling "Yankees s*ck"? (Which is preposterous when you consider they're current world champs -#24 by the way)

Larry C., NYC, NY
Pedro has no respect for the Yankees so obviously he doesn't get it. To be the Champs you have got to beat the Champs..........When it counts!

Elle, Brookline
C'mon, will ya?? We just need a quick dose of Pedro, a touch of luck and some DAMN good prayers. If we come THAT close in NY without Pedro, we'll CRUSH the silly car stripping, bad accent having, garbage dropping Yorkers when they land on Planet Boston...

Dan, Cambridge
The Sox have not got one break so far and they have not made the Breaks either. They still have a chance to pull out the series but it will take a sweep in Boston to Do it. So anyone reading this is going to the games this weekend, Scream like you've never screamed before! Be the 10th player for the Sox and Give us the Advantage. The series could very well be 2-0 Sox, But unlucky breaks have us at 0-2. As long as the sox play hard I think Things will change. Do not lose the Faith!!! GO SOX! Yankees SUCK!!!

Heather, Natick
No need to be jealous that NEW YORK is the best at everything. Knicks, Rangers, Jets, Yankees, Mets . . . . need i go on? Did somebody say "Fashion Capital of the World"?
NEW YORK IS THE BEST, THE SOONER YOU FACE IT THE BETTER!

Jason, Charlotte
It's all part of the game of baseball. The whole curse issue has nothing to do with the outcome of the game. After game one, I was furious. It was clear that Reed had the angle and still blew the call. When he accepted responsibility for his actions, I was at peace with the devestating loss. Reed was a man, and I was so impressed I wanted to look him in the eye and say, thank you. He did his part to save the game of baseball. One that must continue without any shred of instant replay.
1978 was the last heartbreak that I can remember, so I live and die with the rest of my Native New Englanders.
Blown calls have little or nothing to do with wins or losses in this ALCS. It is a function of taking advantage of opportunities. They need to shift the line-up a bit to ensure that Offerman gets home. He has done well in the leadoff spot. They also need to exercise a little patience at the plate. They have to make the Yankees pitchers work, and make them earn every pitch. The series is at a pivotal point where fatigue can play a part, so the first ball swinging has to be a little more, first ball looking. It is the very essence of Wade Boggs and his mastery of hitting.
I also think Jimmy has gotta show some real emotion to his guys, a sense of urgency that is needed. They don't look flat, because their defense is holding the Yankees. It's their hitting--and clutch hitting that is killing them. I was hoping Jimmy would have taken a bat in the dugout last night and slammed it down on the bench. Telling his guys, G.D'it! you guys are better than this. Be patient and make these guys work you at the plate. Not one pitcher on the Yankees is unhittable. We aren't your typical Red Sox! Don't make it this easy for them!
Come on. 12 runners left on base? That is why they lost.
And Rod Beck over Tim Wakefield? That is offensive and insulting. Rod Beck's fastball is not much faster than Wakefield's. Wakefield did everything for this team, his selfless efforts were crucial in this team's success. Beck should never see that mound again.

Matt, VT
That's an awful call made by Mr. Reed the other night. Can't anyone get really worked up over this like I am? That definitely deserves a make up call, and he's behind the plate tomorrow night. Reed must have known that sort a call is exactly what a curse is all about. A curse on Mr. Reed.

Danielle, Shrewsbury
The Sox can win this. They got the hits, they just need to get them HOME!

S.R., NJ
These were two really good games. So a bad call happened in the first game - get over it and continue to play... enough with the 'poor us' mentality! The Yankees win because they never think they're out of the game (in other words, they 'GET OVER IT' and go from there). Boston is a good team, but the Yankees are just better. No jinx, no curse, just better.