Either Way

I have been silent. My mouth and thoughts stayed. Tuesday's game was painful and depressing. What can one say. Such things are best left to be felt and experienced. Expressions miss the mark and drive the hole deeper. Best to sit in silence and wallow in the pit than scrape and claw and bloody your way out with words.

It will help the Red Sox to be patient at the plate. I mentioned it in both blogged games. Monday's 'wide' strike zone (a term I employ as loosely as it's intended object) forced the Sox to swing at anything close or far. Tuesday, Byrd decided to throw strikes instead of paint corners. Aiming for a simply black and white approach in lieu of a palate of the colorful closeness of fooling a hitter on the corners. That left us swinging at everything he threw. Allowing Byrd to dictate pace and disavowing Sox hitters of the chance to break his rhythm.

It will help the Red Sox to come out early and force Sabathia to make pitches. He's an emotional pitcher that will struggle with control. And a steely and insensitive attitude from hitters will get under his skin. They best not be afraid to step out of the box. Expect 20+ wind gusts out to left at the Jake. As CC is a fastballer and Ortiz a lefty, I'm looking for Ortiz to jump late on one and send it over the wall.

I'm glad we had Wake in Game 4 because I want Beckett in this game. The big game. The one we need to win. As the English say: a must needs win. All this said, if it's a close game, I'm not sure the Sox can pull it out. They need to go up big. Need to prove to themselves early that they can take this Indians team. Anything that allows the Indians to linger also allows the possibility of losing to linger. Then again, the Sox aren't afraid. Beckett is as cool as they come. Having an ex-girlfriend sing a few words by Francis Scott Key isn't going to affect the boy who threw a complete game shutout in Yankee Stadium to win the World Series on 3 days rest.

A programming note: I won't be blogging tonight's game. Firstly because I have a softball game that will occupy and require my presence to minutes before first pitch. Secondly, I've decided these emotions need to be sustained in me, not expressed. Not to come exploding out at the end, but to perserve in me this passion through what looks to be a long and tense game. Constantly emptying the cup and cleaning out the closet has left me drained too early. Negative too quickly. And with too little hope. I want to watch tonight's game. I've had all day today and yesterday to think about it. To feel about it. Sometimes, it's just nice to watch. And a game this big and setting up to be this good, needs to be watched alone. Experienced and felt. Not expressed.

Such things are for hindsight.