There's Always Next Year

While I’m not a fan of overstatement, the series against the Rays is the most important one of the year for the Red Sox. They will have to play like it’s October, redo of 2008 ALCS everyone said the Sox were done, now it’s time to prove them wrong and beat the Rays. If the Sox sweep the Rays they will be 2.5 games out of the Wild Card, but should they be swept they will be 8.5 games (ouch!) out and most likely done. While everyone is crying “bridge year” here’s one thought, you have to give the Sox credit for being this close with essentially a team of reserves. Tonight’s lineup is Scutaro, McDonald, Martinez, Beltre, Ortiz, Lowell, Drew, Lowrie, and Hall. Compare to the opening day lineup: Ellsbury, Pedroia, Youkilis, Martinez, Ortiz, Beltre, Drew, Cameron, and Scutaro. All I can do is dream of the possibilities of how good they would have been, how instead of 5.5 games behind they could be 5.5 games ahead. Everyone criticized Epstein for “giving up” all he did was craft the best team and the lowest price and if a mediocre team of backups can give its fans hope for the playoffs then imagine what the healthy team could do. I guess I’m just saying that it’s been a good season, it’s been close and it’s been exciting. While the Sox may not make it all the way we did get a chance to see the further growth of Lester, a resurgence from Ortiz, Beltre (one word is enough), and how could I forget Buchholz. If the Sox don’t make it there is hope for the future (of course hope has a big price tag), and while the Sox are down they are never out.