NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- We've been pounded into submission by our archrivals two series in a row. Sure, we're going to make the playoffs, but I'm not exactly comfortable.
~ from a Red Sox Message Board Game Thread
Memo to self: Next year, when the Yanks start slowly and fall behind the Red Sox by just a few dozen games, resist the temptation to slip into unbearable despair. Do not write articles proclaiming that the Yanks are out of it in May, do not complain about Robinson Cano’s plate discipline, do not question the Yanks’ will to win--and by all means--never underestimate the Red Sox’ ability to self-destruct.
When the Yankees trailed the Red Sox by 14½ games on May 30, the idea of them breaking down that lead seemed absurd. Now, the Yanks are a cinch for the playoffs, whether or not they actually pull of the division.
With the Red Sox at home the last week against Oakland and a Twins team that has already cashed in its chips, the division is still a long shot. However, if the Yanks end up tied with the Sox, the Yanks will win the division based on best head-to-head record. That’s pretty amazing when you figure the Red Sox started out the season series 6-1 against the Yanks.
It’s been a magical September. Night after night, the Yanks creep closer. First, they put away the Tigers and secure a wild-card berth…then they continue to make a legitimate run at Boston, while the Hub sinks into uncontrollable misery.
Mariano Rivera, who has seen a few of these races, put it succinctly: "Four months ago, nobody gave us credit. And now we're close to winning the division."
And it turns out that Joe Torre isn’t the only guy to stand accused of burning out pitchers. The Sox are reeling now that Hideki Okajima is running on fumes and Dice-K is suffering from all those innings and from not having the luxury of six days rest between starts. As if that’s not enough good news, I wake up to a headline in one of the Boston papers that says:
Francona determined not to give up on Gagné
He'll keep using faltering pitcher
Ecstasy! In just 14 inning pitched, Gagne has allowed 30 base runners, based on 23 hits and 7 BBs. His ERA is a whopping 9.00 and opponents have a .429 OBP against him.
If Theo does not make this trade, the Yanks would have no chance of catching Boston now. Gagne has blown at least 4 games for the Red Sox, arguably 5 by my count. So as well as the Yanks have played in the 2nd half, an assist has to go to Gagne for bringing the New Yorkers this close.
Does it get any better that this? Here’s hoping for a long and distinguished career for Mr. Kason Gabbard.
And isn’t interesting that with all the money given to free agent pitchers last winter, from Lilly to Meche to Dice-K and Igawa, Andy Pettitte may have been the best signing of all. Once again Ol’ Reliable Andy puts together a stellar 2nd half. He is now 32-13 for his career in September. While the Boston pitchers (save Beckett) are wilting, Pettitte is at his strongest.
There are some who will compare the 2007 campaign to the 1978 season, the last time the Yanks overcame a 14 ½ game over the Red Sox.
Such comparisons, however, are completely unfair to the 1978 Boston team. That team fell behind the Yanks by 2 ½ games before storming back to win to win 12 of 15 and 8 straight to force a tie. Back then, with no wildcard to fall back on, it was truly a shame that Boston could not get to the playoffs. That lineup was lethal; it was a wonder to behold and a joy to triumph over. I’m pretty sure that the likes of Carlton Fisk and Yaz would have a thing or two to teach Nancy Drew.
This year, it’s been pitching that has carried the Sox, but with the pen burnt out, they will be stumbling into October, while the Yanks are peeking. With just 10 games left, the Red Sox should still win the division, but as an intelligent Red Sox fan told his buddies: They can’t be comfortable…and neither is Red Sox Nation as the weather turns cooler.
Seems like old times….
In fact, one my readers, consummate Yankee fan Bill Spahr, reminds us all:
Every 29 years the Yankees hit Boston with some sort of crippling blow:
* 1920 Babe Ruth joins the Good Guys.
* 1949 The Sox blow a one game lead by dropping two to the Yanks at the Stadium during the last weekend of the season. Ellis Kinder gets drunk on train ride back to Boston and punches Sox Manager McCarthy
* 1978 Zimmer leaves Bill Lee in the Pen and Bobby Sprowl self-destructs. Bucky! Bucky!
* 2007 Compose your own ending
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