What They’re Saying: ALCS Game 2
by Texy
2008 October 13 at 10:39 am
A sample smattering of chatter about the Sox from the guys on the other side of the field.
St. Pete Times:
“You can’t go down 0-2 and head to Boston,” Cliff Floyd said. “You do that, you might as well start pulling out some wardrobe boxes. I mean, let’s be real.”
We said this before the series, but it is worth repeating, anybody that says the regular season means nothing now just isn’t paying attention. With the Rays winning the second and third game of the September series in Fenway and maintaining their lead in the AL East, it proved to the players that they can win in Boston.
No longer do the Rays view the Red Sox – and Fenway Park in particular – as an insurmountable obstacle. As they begin a three-game set today, they can turn to their triumphs here in September and Saturday night’s breathtaking 11-inning victory at Tropicana Field as proof that they can handle the defending world champions under just about any circumstances.
Just when you think you know the Rays, they suprise you again and win with a slugfest against a Boston team that has done that all year. I know I’ll be tired today but it was worth it listening to Rays history. It must also be a sign that the final score was 9 to 8 Rays with the Maddon philosophy of 9=8. This ALCS isn’t going to be over in 4. If the Rays can take one of the games in Boston, then come back all tied up at 2, they can win the series at the Trop. We still have a lot of baseball left!
I don’t know what game the rays reporters saw but I did not see a dominant or resurgent rays “team” I saw one or two guys who really performed (and the collapse of Timlin after a bad call). The sox really seemed to be more in control the whole game
Rays of Light is aware that if they “take one of the games in Boston” that it’ll be 3-2 Sox, right?
Also, I agree with Hurricane – that game was very evenly matched and came down to who’s bullpen broke first. And yes, there was a bit of a questionable strike zone (particularly the at-bat that got Farrell ejected) that made the difference in the game.
So while the Rays have momentum due to the win, they had the day to cool off, a raucous Fenway crowd waiting, and arguably our best starter this post-season coming in as the stopper. The Tampa Bay writers may want to wait a few more games before making statements about handling the Sox as if they’re…well, the Devil Rays.
There was NO dominant team on the field Saturday night. Just some batting practice that finally was interrupted by the end of the 11th inning.
And math was never Tampa’s strong suit, PSU. 9=8 and all that.
Well said, Texy.
And my first thought when the Rays got the 9th run was “Well if they think 9=8, shouldn’t this still be a tie ballgame and we keep playing?”
I couldn’t see the entire game due to TWO birthday parties in one day (and one kid being picked up an hour late!!!). We were at my brother’s house for the game and he and my Mom are NASCAR fans. We had to endure clicking back and forth between the Sox and the fake sport of cars going in circles. I was dying.
Anyhoo…from what I saw of the game, it was more like the Rays taking advantage of an injured or just “off” Beckett (still don’t know why Tito left him in so long). Timlin was robbed of some calls and our pen blinked first.
I can’t wait for this afternoon’s game–Lester will give them a hearty “Welcome to Fenway in October” greeting.
Glad I have the day off.