This wasn't a "must win" game for the Sox, but it was a "screwed if you lose" game. With Halladay going tomorrow, and a favorable matchup tonight, this game would have been devastating to lose. And that nearly happened.
Josh Beckett had an off night. The Cult of Varitek will attribute the shaky outing to Victor Martinez calling the pitches. Then again, Beckett is 3-5 against Toronto the last 3 years, with a 5.95 ERA. And he's 1-2 in the Rogers Centre in that stretch.
Francona should tell hitters they're not playing then put them in the lineup more often. Remember when Youk charged the mound and Lowell replaced him? Lowell hit 2 HRs that day. David Ortiz was scratched for this game, but Varitek couldn't play due to neck spasms, shifting Martinez behind the plate, Youkilis to 1st, Lowell to 3rd, and opening up the DH spot for Ortiz (simple as that). Ortiz was 2 for 3 with a double and a homer. He knocked in 3 and walked twice. He's 5 for his last 11, with 7 walks mixed in. That's an OBP of .667.
Tomorrow night it's Clay "Can't Catch a Break" Buchholz against Roy Halladay. The Sox' bullpen is depleted, and I'd look forward to Thursday's game.
Source:
ESPN.com
Photo Credit:
AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese
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