1. The Rays are “almost” dead.
It’s not over. But it will take somebody doing something special if the Rays are going to beat the Sox later tonight. The key, as Kevin Youkilis (more on him later) said after the game, in Game 7 is get the lead. Just get the damn lead. Other than B.J. Upton’s homer, and to a lesser extent Jason Bartlett’s homer to tie it, 2-2, the Rays did nothing of note. And I mean nothing. Evan Longoria and our own Carlos Pena need that big hit.
2. Rays fans were crying.
I believe their 1986 Game 6 moment was on Thursday when the Sox came back from a 7-0 deficit. But they really thought, or hoped, this would be night. But after the game, several fans remained in their seats all teary-eyed. I saw one couple hug for about one minute before the male wiped his eye. I’m wondering if they believe it’s over.
3. Kevin Youklis is MVP of the series for Sox.
If the award were given out right now, he would get it hands down. Not only does he have the best numbers, but everything good that has happened to this team usually has his signature on it. His second inning home run quickly tied the game up, setting the tone for the offense, which did no such thing the previous three games in Boston. His one-out RBI grounder to short in the third inning (Dustin Pedroia was on third and Ortiz on second) was probably more important because it got the Sox the lead. His average for this series “dipped” to .370 — he was 1-for-5 on the stat sheet. In Game 5 in Boston he scored the winning run on J.D. Drew’s liner to right in the ninth inning. And defensively, nobody is better.
4. Big Papi has officially returned.
Two hits. Two RBI. Whatever the Rays are doing now, it’s not working. It has helped that Coco Crisp (more on him later) has added a spark and was on base three times (he did get picked off in the first inning). He just looks like his comfortable self again.
5. Coco for president.
I never would have predicted this. But Coco has to play. The fact that the fans boo him loudly for every at bat, due to his mini-brawl with James Shields back on June 5, has sparked something. He is not guessing at the plate like he has done all too often. The Red Sox are the team to beat if the leadoff guy gets on with Pedroia, Ortiz and Youkilis waiting in the wings. He is probably playing his final games in a Sox uniform, but he is going out with a bang.
6. Josh Beckett was good enough.
The old Beckett isn’t going to be back until next year. But the guy who pitched last night was rock solid. He has had a penchant for giving up home runs, but solo shots don’t hurt as much. He kept the Rays off balance the entire game. I don’t like hearing the — give my team a chance to win — comment that too many pitchers bellow. But it was true. With the Sox offense on a roll, that’s all they need.
7. Jason Varitek comes through.
On Thursday, it was Drew comes through. Well, last night it was Varitek. It was his first hit of the series (he is hitting .063). But batting ninth, his job was to handle Beckett. The home run, though, basically ended the game. The Rays were deflated. The Red Sox bench look liked it found gold. He is a .220 hitter. If he can knock in a run or two, his importance grows.
8. Mark Kotsay for vice president.
This might be Theo Epstein’s best acquistion. Kotsay has started all but two games. He has consistently hit the ball hard. Even his outs have been “good” outs. His play at first base has made Youkilis moving to third base almost seamless. My guess is he returns next year in a similar role. He had two hits last night, but should have had a third (Akinori Iwamura made a great stab of a line drive). He quietly has made the back of the lineup a threat.
9. Who is that guy wearing Hideki Okajima’s uniform?
Okie Dokie is back. Last night was his third straight two-inning workload. He has allowed only one hit over that span. As Francona said afterward, Okajima is as good against righties as he is against lefties. What this means is a one-run lead in the seventh is lights out. You could add Justin Masterson’s name, too. But Okajima has fixed what was an ailing bullpen.
10. Rays bullpen might kill them.
Matt Garza is a six inning pitcher. That means Grant Balfour and Dan Wheeler will have to save the day in a close game tonight. That might not be a good thing. Balfour has given up five earned runs, five hits (two HRs) and four walks over his last three appearances. And Wheeler, has pitched in only three playoff games, allowing three runs in the Thursday night miracle. If the game is close tonight, this might seal the deal.
