Posted by:
Mike Dowling on
April 24, 2007 at
12:40PM EST
Every single Red Sox player and manager Terry Francona said before last nights game against Toronto that there would be no letdown after the sweep of the Yankees. There couldn't be. The excitement that is always present at Fenway Park would prevent it. So much for that theory.
Fans, even the unequaled passionate fans at fenway can generate only so much excitement. They must have something to build on and last night they were give little. No pun intended but it was the littlest red sox player who provided the night's only real spark with his 1st 2 RBI's of the year on a 2 run double. After that it was a flat peformance, and who really can blame them? After that weekend?
The real problem is that tonight the Red Sox face arguably the best pitcher in the American League in Roy Halladay so they are looking at what might be back to back losses and taking that on the road for 2 at Baltimore where the Orioles have been playing way over there head, and then into Yankee stadium for 3 where the Yanks and their fans are going to be all riled up looking for revenge from this past weekends sweep by the Red Sox.(and just in case you missed it, A-Rod hit 2 more out last night and is on a ridiculous pace to hit 127 HRs this season)
My suggestion is for Manny and Varitek to pretend that they are again facing the Yanks tonight because that is who they excel against. Last night's 1 for 19 by the top 4 hitters in the Red Sox lineup ceryainly will not get it done.
