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Behind enemy lines

Email|Link|Comments (5) Posted by Chad Finn, Globe Staff October 6, 2008 12:10 PM

Our daily look at what others are saying about the Red Sox-Angels matchup.

Did the tide in this series turn as the clock approached midnight last night?

You'll find plenty of eye-rolling skeptics regarding such a notion around here, but the Los Angeles Times's Mike DiGiovanna nonetheless takes that angle after the Angels overcame some early blunders and lost opportunities to defeat the Red Sox, 5-4, in Game 3 of the ALDS last night:

This one had all the makings of another Angels playoff disaster against the Boston Red Sox, with the requisite failure to cash in on numerous opportunities, a blown defensive play that cost them three runs and a baserunning gaffe that killed a potential ninth-inning rally.
But a strange, almost crazy thing happened as an eerie fog rolled into Fenway Park past midnight Sunday, with the Angels appearing on the way to another American League division series sweep at the hands of their October nemeses.

The Angels didn't fold.

A catcher clubbed a pair of early home runs, a stout bullpen combined for 7 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, a shortstop who was hitless in 13 series at-bats delivered a game-winner, and a starter making his first career relief appearance threw two scoreless innings for the win.

Entering Game 4, it is fair to say the Angels now have the momentum. But the Red Sox have Jon Lester. Our question to you is this: Which is the bigger advantage?

Bill Shaikin says tonight's start is a chance for John Lackey to prove he's a true ace:

[The Angels] departed Anaheim left for dead, but they left Fenway Park after 1 a.m. this morning with a pulse, and with at least one more game in their season.
Now the Angels play their ace. If ... Lackey can lift the Angels to victory tonight, he can force the series back to Anaheim for the decisive Game 5.

This could be his time. This should be his time.

It has been five years, and five starts, since Lackey last won in October -- Game 7, 2002 World Series, as a rookie.

Lackey has traditionally been pummeled at Fenway (he is 2-4 with a 6.34 ERA in eight career regular season starts), but he threw a two-hitter there earlier this season (taking a no-hitter into the ninth) and pitched well in Game 1 at Anaheim in this series. So who knows which version will show up tonight.

Another Angels pitcher the Red Sox have had their way with in the past was the unsung hero last night, writes DiGiovanna. Scot Shields, who had a 13.85 ERA in 13 career innings at Fenway entering last night's game, pitched 2 1/3 hitless innings after entering in the seventh inning, and his stuff was overpowering.

The Times's Jerry Crowe notes that Angels catcher Mike Napoli was born on Halloween. With two homers last night, he certainly haunted the Red Sox last night. (I know. Groan.)

The OC Register's Bill Plunkett wins today's award for Best Opening Line To A Game Story:

Paul Revere’s ride took less time.

The game ended in a tidy 5 hours 19 minutes, which is why there are a lot of people in New England snoozing at their desks this morning..

The OC's Jeff Miller takes in the pregame scene at Fenway, and captures it thusly:

Baseball is a drinking game here. Before the first pitch, the streets bordering Fenway are alive with music, partying and sausages, thousands and thousands of sausages. Food stands are operated by the Sausage Connection, the Sausage King and the Sausage Guy.

Elsewhere: CNNSI's John Donovan says the Angels refused to go quietly . . . ESPN's Jerry Crasnick says the Angels stayed alive despite their "smorgasbord of flaws" . . . FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal wonders if LA will finally relax and play up to its ability.

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5 comments so far...

"as an eerie fog rolled into Fenway Park past midnight Sunday"

With no one left to play with at Yankee Stadium, the Ghost of Babe Ruth finally had to move on. After looking across the street at the swanky new Yankeeland ("not the house •I• would have built," he sniffed), and checking the year-end standings ("THIS is the 'House of Champions'?"), he drifted back to his former Fenway stomping grounds and settled in.

Posted by Mister Snitch October 6, 08 02:30 PM

Does anyone absolutely just despise the TBS commentating for this series? It's like they're aggravating for both teams. I'm sick of hearing how Vlady Guerrero is over due to hit a post-season homerun and I'm sick of hearing about how each pitcher is attacking each hitter and what he's trying to do. Buck Martinez analyzes EVERY pitch and I had to hear about it for 12 innings last night. Also, I love how when Jared Weaver strikes out Jason Bay last night in the 11th inning, the other guy in the booth goes, fastball, changeup, BANG! he out on another changeup. I'm not biased by any means but this is the second year I've had to listen to this crap.

Posted by Chris October 6, 08 03:32 PM

Chris's post above is exactly why we'll be playing the radio and muting the TV sound tonight ... even though we'll probably end up going to bed around the third inning, regardless of score, and hoping for the best.

Posted by David Corriveau October 6, 08 04:24 PM

So, Chris. How about you figure out how the Mute button works on your remote? I get tired of Remy and Orsillo pretty quickly, too. If you're even half-way paying attention, there's no need to listen to the Inane Banter™ of any of the announcers.

Posted by Bill October 6, 08 04:52 PM

my favorite comment from the comentators last night was from Buck Martinez....actually they all come from him because he's a pain in the a$$. they keep on bringing up the 2 out, 2 strike thing and how the sox always tend to score when this is the case.

Well they have said it every single game and every single game, both teams have produced with two outs and two strikes. They probably have the same percentages and over and over again they bring this up. Only last night Buck said "unlike the Angels, the Sox have produced with two outs throughout the series. The Angels have not been able to do that." Only to hear seconds later from Chip, "actually, the Angels have been producing with two outs, its just that the Sox have produced more, hence the 2-0 series lead."

Buck not only aggrevates me with his voice, but with his explanations of things. Im not saying Im Mr. Baseball Savvy over here, but he will mention something, then Chip says, could you please explain that, and then he goes on to explain it using another ridiculous word that has those people who don't follow baseball very well, saying, what the hell is this guy talking about. I'll take any of the other announcers over Mr. Buck "I once was a Manager and so I know everything" Martinez....

Posted by Abbate October 6, 08 05:42 PM