Random Thoughts (October 17, 2008)

Just when you thought they were dead and finished the Red Sox storm back from a 7-0 deficit to rally for a 8-7 victory over the Rays in Game 5 of the ALCS, extending the series to a sixth game. Daisuke Matsuzaka continued the team's string of poor starts against the explosive Rays lineup, ending his night after allowing five runs in four innings. After Daisuke's early exit, the bullpen allowed just two runs (both by Manny Delcarmen) and kept the game from turning into a complete rout. Heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, the Sox trailed 7-0 and fans were on their way home. But then Dustin Pedroia hit a two-out RBI single to plate the first Boston run of the night, followed by a towering three-run homerun by David Ortiz to cut the Rays lead to 7-4. In the eighth, J.D. Drew blasted a two-run homer and then Coco Crisp tied the game with a two-out RBI single after a tremendous at-bat. In the ninth, after Pedroia grounded out and Ortiz struck out, Youkilis reached on an infield hit and advanced to second on a rare throwing error by Evan Longoria. After Jason Bay was intentionally walked, Drew belted a single over the head of Gabe Gross, giving the BoSox the dramatic victory. Even if last night was just the last punch thrown by the beat up defending champs, it was well worth it. The Sox are not just playing a hungry young team, they are fighting injuries that have kept them from being at full speed. Mike Lowell will have surgery on his hip next week, Josh Beckett's oblique muscle is keeping him from being his usual dominant playoff self, and I think Ortiz' wrist is more hurt than he is letting on. Still, the pressure is now squarely on the Rays as the series heads back to Tampa Bay for Game 6 (and a possible Game 7). The stories of the Red Sox ALCS comebacks against the Yankees in 2004 and Indians in 2007 are everywhere today. If Beckett can channel the spirit of Curt Schilling from '04 and Jon Lester can bounce back from a poor Game 3 start, the Red Sox will be facing the Phillies with a full head of steam. If not, they will have at least closed out the last night of Fenway with a bang. Either way, you have to love these Red Sox. They never quit and can not be counted out until the last out has been recorded... Matt Cassel or Kevin O'Connell? Wait, can either one of them play defense? The Patriots quarterback situation is obviously a position of weakness with Tom Brady out but it is far from the only reason why this team is sitting at 3-2 following their embarassing 30-10 loss to the Chargers on Sunday night. The defensive secondary is a complete joke. Deltha O'Neal and Ellis Hobbs are not as bad as they have looked but it is ridiculous to believe that either one is capable of matching up with an elite receiver. Rodney Harrison was once a great player but he is too old to be an impact player at safety and James Sanders just isn't good enough to be an impact safety. Brandon Meriweather, Terrence Wheatley, and Jonathan Wilhete have shown flashes of promise but are not ready for prime time just yet. The secondary is getting no favors from the defensive line and linebackers. There is almost never any pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which is surprising when you think about the talent in the front seven. I find it hard to believe they can't get after the passer with Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, Mike Vrabel, and Adalius Thomas up front. At this point of the season there are not too many answers. The old Bill Parcells saying "You are what you are" may be simple but it is 100% true. I'm more than a little surprised that Belichick hasn't reached out to free agent Ty Law yet but at his age, Law won't be able to just walk in and fix the problems defending the pass. The Pats host the Broncos on Monday night. Jay Cutler leads an explosive passing offense for the Broncos and I fear what his top target, Brandon Marshall, will do to O'Neal and Hobbs... After plowing through Boys Will Be Boys, the terrific look at the Dallas Cowboys of the 1990s written by Jeff Pearlman, I have now shifted to The Genius, David Harris' biography of the legendary Bill Walsh. Both are definitely worth your time... Now that the Red Sox have extended the ALCS, I doubt I will make my season debut at Alumni Stadium on Saturday night when BC hosts Virginia Tech... The Office was its usual amazing self last night. The addition of fellow dimwit and potential love interest Holly has improved Michael's character and Dwight continues to impress with his affair with Angela. I'm not too sure where the simmering tension between Jim and Pam is heading but I trust it will end in laughs... My longstanding hatred of Duke aside, I think I will take my first pilgrimmage to Tobacco Road this winter. On January 17, Duke hosts Georgetown in the afternoon and then UNC welcomes in Miami later that night. For a college hoops junkie, that would be the ultimate fix... Enjoy Beckett tomorrow night...