Bloggin' Through the Playoffs - World Series Here We Come

Last night was the single greatest sporting event I have ever attended live. We got to the game about 6pm, plenty of time to catch the end of batting practice. Then my buddy Rhett and I and spent some time in the Ted Williams Hitter's Museum at the Trop. If you have never spent any time there, check it out, you will enjoy the history and memorabilia they have.

When the game started, you could tell Garza was pretty hyped and the adrenaline was flowing. It was very depressing to give up the homer to Pedroia in the 1st. That guy is a pesky hitter and will probably win the AL MVP. After that, however, Garza settled into the game was really hitting his spots. He was jumping out ahead and the curve was dropping off the table. He had the Boston hitters off balance the whole night. I was pleasantly surprised as the game progressed that until the 7th inning, the only hit he had given up was the homer to Pedroia in the 1st.

Getting a double by Longoria down the right field was huge. This was the 4th inning and his double drove in the tying run - we had finally gotten to Lester. Lester also threw a tremendous game. He threw over 70% of his pitches for strikes and was around the plate the whole night. This hit was big for another reason, which was maybe not as obvious. I noticed that in the past couple of games, Longoria seemed to be hitting a lot of weak grounders to shortstop. He was probably pressing a little bit, trying to hit the ball out of the yard every time he came up to bat. The pitchers were throwing him away, but he wasn't trying to go with the pitch, which caused the weak grounders to short. Seeing him go down the right field line showed that he is learning how the pitchers are throwing to him and he's taking whatever he's given and working the pitcher.

Then, Baldelli knocks in a run and Aybar hit's a solo homer as we go up 3-1. At this point, Garza was still in the game mowing down batters. We were anxiously watching his pitch count. I think there was one at bat where it seemed like Varitek had about 12-15 pitches. Then, something exciting happened. Garza came out for the 8th inning. Everyone expected him to be taken out, but Maddon surprised us by letting him come out for the 8th inning. He already had over 100 pitches, so this was a big vote of confidence for Garza.

I have to be completely honest, I got a nasty, sick to my stomach feeling when Bartlett booted the ball to start the 8th. That's 2 errors in the last 2 games for him. Then, Maddon did something else very uncharacteristic of him. When he came out to talk to Garza after that at bat, he didn't take the ball from him. He left him in. Normally, Maddon is calling for the reliever by the time he's at the top step of the dugout. He left him in for 1 more batter and after that, the 8th inning was like a blur. 4 more pitchers took the mound, Howell, Wheeler, Bradford and then, the legend that is now, David Price. The guy had pitched all of 14 innings this year as a late September call up from Triple A. Granted, in the minors he had an awesome year, but this was game 7 of the ALCS and he was coming in with the bases loaded. But, that's Maddon, never know what he's got up his sleeve!

What happened next is how legends are born. Price strikes out Drew to finish the 8th and then comes out for the 9th, after giving up a lead off walk, he sets down 3 in a row to save the game. Then, bedlam ensued... cowbells, loud music, screaming, grown men hugging other grown men who they didn't know, pure insanity!

To wrap up, Smack Apparel has some great shirts already out. Here's one I am going to send to my co-worker in Boston who I had a little side bet with. Whichever team made it farther, the other guy had to where a shirt of the opposing team all day long. I think this will go over well in the Boston office!

Enjoy it folks, talk to you tomorrow,

Go Rays!
- Steve