With today being an ALCS off day, I figured now would be a good time to issue a serious warning to the city of Cleveland and its suddenly proud franchise, the Indians: You have not wrapped up the ALCS. Not by a long shot. Take this warning seriously because it's coming from a Yankee fan who is still coming to terms with seeing his team blow a 3-0 lead in the 2004 ALCS against a similar, but an arguably better Red Sox team. Here are some facts for the Indians to consider before they have their locker room celebration prior to game 5:
1. The Red Sox have been here. If they had the heart and determination to overcome a 3-0 defecit, which had never been done before, I see no reason why they would throw in the towel now being down 3-1 with two of the remaining three games (if necessary) in Fenway Park.
2. Both teams throw out their aces tomorrow night, Sabathia and Beckett. If Beckett can get the Sox to game 6, it will really be a toss up as far as who has the edge in game 6 and a possible game 7. Game 6 would be Schilling vs. Carmona in all likelyhood, and while many would be quick to give the Indians the edge here, never underestimate Curt Schilling at home in a must win playoff game. Again, just reference the Yankees, who he beat in game 6 of the '04 ALCS in New York to force a game 7. If a game 7 was again forced by a stellar Schilling, wouldn't you give the Red Sox line-up the edge against Jake Westbrook in Fenway in a winner takes all ball game?
3. Reason #3 is more binding than either of the first two. The longer this series goes, the more it favors the Red Sox. I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but just look at the 2004 ALCS. The Yankees lose game 4 in extras, "no big, still up 3-1." Lose game 5 in extras, "eh, no big we're going home, no way we lose both games in Yankee Stadium." Lose game 6, "alright now we're in some trouble, but the Curse of the Babe alone will lead us to victory." The next night the Yankees were pondering why they went after Kevin Brown so hard that offseason instead of locking up Andy Pettitte, which should have been their first priority. Brown lasted an inning and a third, and the Yankees already trailed 6-0. My point is, if Boston sends this thing back to Fenway, the Indians are in trouble. And if they don't close it out in game 6, I would bet these Indians give everyone in the city of Cleveland another reason to jump off a bridge.
The odds are with you Cleveland, and history is on your side. Only 10 teams have recovered from a 3-1 defecit, but only one team is SPORTS HISTORY has recovered from a 3-0 defecit, and you're looking at them. Tread carefully.
Until next time,
DTM
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2 comments:
lets just put it this way no matter how hot the rockies are either one of these team will beat them also who the fuck cares about baseball when football is here and basketball is less then a month away i mean come on we live in new york and the only teams that matter around here are the yanks(overrated) and the braves come on now they are nasty
all i know is something needs to be said about KOBE because i hear the bulls are in the running and if that happens i might not be a bulls fan for much longer we got a good thing going and i will be more them upset to see a franchise that has come from MJs grave to almost greatness and to stop the building proccess now would be dumb we are a lowpost player away from having a chance at winning it all
Also happy birthday my mom what a wonderful woman
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