Huge loss by Rays last night

[Dogdeacon]

If they had come into Boston for 4 games with the chance to overtake the panic in the stands would have been palpable. Sox players would have been feeling the heat. Instead after the Sox opened the door and gave one away in the 8th to Toronto in the afternoon, the Rays lost last night and come in down 4. Its hugely different cuz now the Sox can win just one and still be up 2. Tampa doesn't have to sweep, but they've gotta take 3/4. I think series comes down to can Beckett give the Sox a quality start.

Sox - Rays Pitching matchups
Weiland vs Hellickson
Beckett vs Shields
Lester vs Nieman
Wakefield vs Price

On paper Rays look good in 1st and 4th game, Sox in 3rd and 2nd even = as I said how effective is Beckett.

However, if the Rays win 3/4 maybe their chances are pretty good as a whopping 7 out of their 10 games are against the Yankees and if the Yanks lead is 7+ heading into those games they can lie down & watch the Sox squirm.

 

[Dove]

Rays romp in Game 1. Carl Crawford bats 7th and goes 0 for 3.
Beckett v. Shields on Friday. Would love to see that one.