Looking ahead to Tampa
So Jason Bay might be a big fan of the catwalks, where he placed a home run earlier this season, but Terry Francona historically hasn't exactly been their biggest booster. Perhaps the Sox are hoping they won't factor into the postseason at all.
But catwalks or no catwalks, Tropicana Field hasn't exactly been the same home-away-from-home this season that it's been in the past for the Sox. While the Rays fans have multiplied (at least slightly), leaving fewer seats for transplanted Bostonians, the play on the field hasn't had quite the same results either.
"Going to the dome, we haven't played well there this year," Dustin Pedroia said. "We've got to find a way to win games."
The Sox lost the season series, 10-8, but the more important fact might be that the Sox could win just one game on the road in the nine these two teams played in Florida. The Sox and Rays each won the first two series played in their home parks against each other, but things changed in September. That was when Tampa Bay came to Fenway Park and took two of three from the Sox, followed up by the Sox' only win of the season at Tropicana Field in a series in which the Rays came back to take the final two contests.
"We've got a long road ahead of us still," Jonathan Papelbon said. "It's going to be another hard-fought battle. At this time of year, nobody's going to lay down for you. That's for sure."
The Sox are planning to head to St. Petersburg, Fla., on Wednesday after a workout at Fenway Park at noon. That's when Francona and the team will meet with the media next, as the team took a well-deserved day away from the park today.
"While the Rays fans have multiplied, leaving fewer seats for transplanted Bostonians, the play on the field hasn't had quite the same results either."
The Rays were at the bottom of the league in home attendance during the regular season. Do you actually research this stuff or just make it up on the fly?
Amalie, I don't understandyour comment that the Sox could only win 1 game on the road in the 18 the Sox and Rays played. They won 1 of 9 at the Trop; not good, admittedly, but not nearly as bad as the 1 of 18 that you make it sound like. It's kinda tough for the Sox to win a game on the road when it's being played at Fenway!
Listen, if the last series has taught the sox fan anything it is Don't pay attention to the regular season. Remember the sox record against the almighty Halos.... The Rays are a good team and deserve credit but they played the White Sox in the ALDS round, a team that had to play an extra regular season game to get to the postseason, meanwhile the hometown team played a team that had the last 5 months of the season to rest it's starters... point made, none the less I am hoping Jason Bay puts two or three moon shots into the catwalks... Sox in 5..... Bring on Manny!
Not to say that Amalie Benjamin is the greatest writer ever, but she did say "While the Rays fans have multiplied (at least slightly)..." You sorta just skipped over the one thing she wrote that cuts out your argument's legs from right under it. And it makes you look pretty shmucky. Based on what she wrote, all that matters is if the attendance of Rays fans was up at all this year over previous years.
If you actually read the article she wrote you will notice they lost the season series 10 - 8. That means they won eight games, seven of them were at home. The math really isn't that difficult. As far as the attendance goes. Do they have more fans now then they did on opening day? Yes. So, the fans have multiplied.
Dan, I moved to S. Fla 14 years ago and always make a trip over to the Trop to see the Sox and this year there was a huge influx of Rays "fans" and the "Fenway South" feeling wasn't quite there. It is a different building in terms of fandom this year than in years past.
The Red Sox have their work cut out for them. The Ray's aren't only an excellent team but they also have the confidence that they can and have beat the BoSox. I think that more than ever this series will come down to pitching. Getting Lester on the mound for game 1 and giving Becket another shot to regain his old self in game 2 would work. Theo of www.redsoxup.com/blog
Hey, Dan, I noticed you left the "(at least slightly)" portion out of your paraphrase...
I guess because it renders your "observation" POINTLESS!!
I seriously don't know why I read the comments. What is there to complain about in this blog? The writers must laugh and roll their eyes at the henpecking scribes like the top two.
If Beckett IS healthy, Tito has to go with him in game 1. Chalk the last game up to rust. Do we really want three of the first 5 games to be pitched by Dice K and Wake? There may not be a 6 or 7 for Lester and Beckett without Beckett pitching 2 of the first 5 games. Go Becket and Lester in 1 and 2 and then if Dice k struggles in game 7 both can come in on short rest for a few innings instead of their side sessions. This also eliminates the bullpen challenge when Dice K throws 100 pitches through 4 but has only given up 1 run in game 7:)
This is of course if Beckett is healthy and was just rusty and got squeezed by the ump vs. the Angels
Heading to Tampa? Last time I checked, the Rays play in St. Petersburg.
Hey Amalie,
Just wondering...would you like to watch a game with me???
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