...Or not.

Rather than looking like an ace in the hole, Josh struggled more like a third starter last night in a way that is worrisome for any further starts we can expect from him in the postseason. It was clear his location was off as it has been at times before this season - whether or not the oblique really played a role is something I think only Beckett, Varitek, Francona and the trainers know. Beckett insists he felt fine, but this quote from Varitek gives me pause:

"I tip my cap to him for even being able to take that ball tonight," Varitek said. "He had to put in a lot of work to allow himself to be ready to pitch tonight. He had to work and take a lot to be able to take the ball."

To what, Varitek was asked, would he attribute Beckett's struggles?

"I can't answer that," he said. "I can say, it meant a lot, just him taking the ball, what he had to go through to be able to make his start tonight, period."

Tonight Lester takes the ball, and maybe the mantle of ace for this postseason, at the very least for this series. I haven't wanted to say this before now, because I was NOT rooting for the Sox to lose. But the silver lining on the fact that they lost is that it forces a fourth game, and my dad and I have tickets.

Comments

[julia]

OH SO JELLUS. Have a great time, take tons of pictures and GO SOX!

[SoxyLady]

I'll be there tonight too - but I was REALLY hoping for the sweep last night.

[maxwell horse]

On the bright side, Papelbon looked great. He hasn't thrown that hard since the beginning of the season.