Yes, the Orioles stink, but, the Sox could have easily suffered a letdown coming into Camden Yards after the Angels series. Instead, the Red Sox seem to be playing with a bit more intensity and focus in recent days. The Sox finished with a 16 - 2 season record vs the Orioles.
Consider that in all three Orioles games, the Red Sox starters did not have their best stuff, but the team still did what they had to to win. On Friday night, Clay Buchholz showed that he can win a gam without being on his "A" game; in fact, Buchholz hasn't even experienced many games like that in his young career. His changeup, his "out" pitch, wasn't quite as sharp nor were his other pitches, but he kept his cool and pitched a solid six innings, giving the team a chance to win. On Saturday night, Jon Lester was definitely a bit off his game, (more than Buchholz was) ; as he gave up ten hits, he still limited the Orioles to only a few runs.
Then, today, though I didn't see it, apparently Daisuke Matsuzaka wasn't as sharp as he was last week, but, he started well - striking out the side in the 1st - and kept things in check.
In one sequence I watched in Saturday's game, the Sox played some great "small ball." It started with Dustin Pedroia pushing the count full before getting a single; then Victor Martinez reached the bat way out way outside of the strike zone in order to hit a ground ball to the right side of the infield in order to advance Pedroia. Then, Ortiz hit his second double of the night. Youkilis hit a high curve ball to knock in a run, and then, Lowell hit a clutch single to knock in another run. What was impressive was the quality of the at-bats; the hitters were working the count, really trying to make contact -- something that often has NOT happened this season.
Then, Billy Wagner came in, and, despite having trouble with his curve ball, according to Dennis Eckersley (I couldn't notice it as much) and pitched another scoreless inning. Wagner has been stellar so far.
Overall, it just seems the Red Sox are a much better team with Victor Martinez, Billy Wagner, and the other additions on the roster since Sept. 1st. Victor is the key.
Who knows? Maybe the Yankees will lose a few games on the West Coast this week while the Red Sox win - and, the Sox can enter their last series against the Yanks only three games out rather than six. (The Mariners are beating the Yankees 7-0 at the moment) Then, they can sweep the Yanks at Yankee Stadium and tie for the Division.....
OK, I just felt like expressing that fantasy......I do NOT think that will happen. I'll try to be content that the Sox are playing good ball as they head into the playoffs.
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