Romp

I predicted before the start of last night's Red Sox-Indians ALCS opener at Fenway that it would be a close contest, a 2-1 or 3-2 game. After all it was a matchup of the two best pitchers in the AL this year, Josh Beckett and C.C. Sabathia.

So much for that pitchers duel.

It turned out to be no contest, as the Red Sox whacked Sabathia for 8 runs in 4+ innings and coasted into a 10-3 win. Beckett was terrific, allowing just two runs in six innings while striking out eight. He allowed a home run to Travis Hafner in the first, but also struck out the side in the inning. That's when I knew he was going to be fine.

And Commander Kick Ass has passed Roger Clemens on the all-time list of Red Sox postseason wins, with two. And in just his first two Red Sox starts. (So which of these two has more heart and guts when the Red Sox have a big game in the postseason? I think that answer is obvious.)

David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez have just been superb in the postseason so far, and last night was no exception. They both reached base all five times each of them were up. Manny has reached base in 11 of his last 12 plate appearances, and Papi 16 of his last 18, and he is hitting .778 in this postseason. Talk about smoking hot.

Mike Lowell drove in three runs, and Bobby Kielty and Jason Varitek each had two RBIs, to add to the Manny/Papi attack. Just about everyone in the Red Sox lineup is hitting right now, and at the right time. (Dustin Pedroia and Coco Crisp are struggling a bit, but have done things to help the offense as well as the defense.)

It was a noisy night at Professor Thom's watching the game with a crowd of wall-to-wall Red Sox supporters. And it figures to be another one tonight, as Curt Schilling goes for his 10th career postseason win against Fausto Carmona, the Indians 19-game winner this season.