Red Sox-Rays: In-Game Thoughts

Welcome to the Game One live entry for the American League Championship Series. Tonight features the defending-champion Boston Red Sox against the upstart Tampa Bay Rays.

Heading into the series, recognize that Boston has the experience to get them to the World Series.  But Tampa Bay has the confidence—and perhaps the ignorance about the magnitude of their turnaround—to put them in the Fall Classic.

Early indications suggest the Rays are not fazed by their opponent or the magnitude of their playoff run following such a great turnaround.

In the first inning, Rays starting pitcher James Shields proved to be composed as he struck out Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew to end the inning with two runners in scoring position.

In the bottom half of the inning, Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka walked three Rays hitters. Veteran designated hitter Cliff Floyd, however, grounded out to end the threat.

There are two statistics worth noting about Matsuzaka that serve him very well if he continues to walk hitters. First, opposing hitters have recorded only one RBI this season with a 3-1 count. Second, opposing hitters are 0-for-15 against him while the bases are loaded.

Thinking about Boston's chances to steal a game in Tampa, it is a matter of how well they hit with runners on base. They depend on the strength of their starting pitching, and, as a result, producing hits with runners in scoring position is essential if Boston hopes to clinch the series at home.

I felt that Boston had to neutralize the effect of the home crowd. With Matsuzaka pitching well after a slow start, he has diminished the noise level inside Tropicana Field. There is no question that Rays fans are still confident. I was concerned that Boston would have difficulty ignoring them.

As Matsuzaka settled down, the television announcers for TBS began to discuss the composition of the Rays' roster. In essence, they have a good blend of speed and athleticism, combined with a strong work ethic, good teamwork, and tremendous preparation.

As far as the speed aspect specifically, I believe this is a trend to look for in baseball's future. There are many advantages of having a quick roster.  Much like the spread offense in college football, I predict this trend will become more common in baseball.

In the top of the fifth inning, the Red Sox scored on a sacrifice fly by J.D. Drew that plated Jason Bay. This was made possible by a leadoff walk along with Mark Kotsay's double that sent Bay to third base. Now with one out, it will be interesting to see how James Shields responds.

Red sox catcher Jason Varitek grounds out to second, which leaves two outs and Kotsay on third base. Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury comes to the plate. This is an intriguing plate appearance, in terms of how the youngster attempts to find a way to bring in Kotsay.

If he comes through, it indicates that the Red Sox are employing a no-nonsense mentality this series, where everything counts and where they are fully committed to scoring every run possible.

Ellsbury, however, flied out to Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett to end the inning.

After walking three batters in the first inning, Matsuzaka has settled in by striking out eight. My concern was that his pitch count would skyrocket following his shaky start and limit how many innings he would throw. But after five innings, his pitch count sits in the low 80s.

Moving on, Matsuzaka takes a no-hitter into the seventh inning. At this point, the Red Sox should be looking to add insurance runs to give him a cushion for the remainder of the game.

To lead the bottom of the seventh inning, however, Rays outfielder Carl Crawford breaks up the no-hitter for his team's first hit of the game.

At one point, the Rays had runners on first and third base with no outs in the seventh inning. But Matsuzaka battled to retire the next three hitters, preserving the shutout. At present, his pitch count is over 100 and Boston relievers begin to throw in the bullpen.

Red Sox infielder Dustin Pedroia singled to start the eighth inning. Rays manager Joe Maddon chose to make a pitching change following Pedroia's at-bat. Shields pitched seven innings and gave up one run on six hits.

Reliever J.P. Howell walked Ortiz, bringing slugger Kevin Youkilis to the plate. Crawford dropped a line drive to left, allowing Pedroia to score and leaving Ortiz on third base with Youkilis on second.

Following another pitching change, Rays reliever Grant Balfour plunks J.D. Drew on the right shoulder with his first pitch to load the bases. On a side note, Rays fans actually cheered the hit-by-pitch in memory of the brawls between the two teams earlier in the season.

The run by Pedroia proved to be the only insurance the Red sox would claim in the top of the eighth as Kotsay popped out with the bases loaded and two outs. Red Sox 2, Tampa Bay 0.

Consider the importance of winning a game in Tampa for Boston. Obviously, they must do so in order to advance, but earning a win on the road affords them the opportunity to clinch the series in Boston, avoiding an additional trip to Tropicana Field.

Rays infielder Akinori Iwamura and outfielder B.J. Upton lead the bottom half of the eighth inning with singles each. As a result, Francona elects to remove Matsuzaka after allowing zero runs on four hits. The Red Sox bullpen comes through again as it shut down the Rays following the pair of hits.

Here are the keys to the ninth inning for both teams. Obviously for Boston, more runs are needed. But specifically, the Sox need either a leadoff runner or perhaps an extra base hit in order to start a rally that provides more insurance. Tampa Bay must make quality pitches to Red Sox hitters and ensure that the offense does not have to overcome a larger deficit.

The Red Sox failed to score, but it sends closer Jonathan Papelbon to the mound. Rays catcher Dioner Navarro struck out, giving Papelbon the save. Papelbon now owns the record for most postseason innings pitched to start a career without allowing a run (20 2/3 IP).