Statement Game
The Red Sox began their post season run the way every team wishes they could, with a complete domination in every phase of the game over the Angels.
Beckett showed his Cy Young stuff. Complete game, 4 hits, 8 strikeouts, and kept the bullpen completely silent. That is how you want every ace on your squad to start a series. He made the Angels look defeated from about the second inning on.
The Red Sox just seemed to have everything working. The offense, while not putting up a ton of runs, put guys on base in the early innings and made Lackey make a lot of pitches in the first few innings. And the offense worked the way you want it to. Youk's bat wakes up with a big HR in the first. Big Papi shows his stuff with a towering wrap around the pole.
The defense played great when they had to. Lowell had a couple of great stops. And just when Francona needed to, he puts Ellsbury in left where he immediately makes a spectacular grab to stop any sort of Angels momentum.
As a fan, this is the game you want to see. The Red Sox played mediocre ball since the all star break, but last night they put MLB on notice. There is a reason they have the best record in baseball. When it's working they have all phases of the game covered, and they are the best team in baseball.
And I must say it is a relief as a Red Sox fan to feel confident. It's not a familiar feeling. In fact, I've only felt it off and on since the start of the '04 World Series.
But last night's game was exciting and had to make the hobbling Angels team and fans very nervous.
Oh yeah, Dave and I used the same pic. in our blogs. Do you think he has a little pitcher envy?
