O M G....

Wow. Just wow.

Do they do this intentionally? Have they come to the conclusion that the only way they can win the CS is to tank it initially so that their backs are against the wall? Is that how they get motivated?

Well, good for them. Although my left arm is still tingling a bit - is that good or bad?

Honestly, how the hell do you come back from down 7-0 in the 7th of an elimination game with your offense at that point having gone 0-fer-a billion?

Big Papi, 1 for 15 in the series swatting a fastball down and in like it was an annoying little bug and launching it 325 feet into the corner past the Pesky pole. Just like he used to do on a weekly basis in previous years, but have been so painfully unable to do since...well, I was going to say his wrist injury, but actually more or less all of 2008. Apart from a surge in May prior to his wrist injury, he's clearly been less than his lethal self for most of the year.

Let's hope that this is the start of a Big Papi revival. Despite monster performances during the regular season from Pedroia and Youk and from Bay in the post season, the Red Sox does not, I repeat, NOT stand a chance against the Rays unless they have a more potent home run threat from the heart of the order.

I am still waiting for Francona to announce that he's changing the rotation and letting Lester pitch on Saturday in game 6. Don't you think that would put some thoughts in the Rays' heads?

I know they roughed him up last time at Fenway, but he's simply too good to have his intimates handed to him on a plate twice in a row. Also, a long, solid, outing from Lester would allow the Sox to throw Beckett (on a short leach), Dice-K, Masterson et al at the Rays in game 7.

I thought they were dead donkey's last night prior to the 7th. Now I'm not so sure.

True, there is no question of which team is the better one. The Rays hit better, pitch better, field better and run better, but we're almost through the looking glass now. Now it comes down to cojones and experience. Let's see if last night brings a return to the Rays of game 1. The Rays that looked tighter than Ari Gold's golfing trousers.

If so the Red Sox have a fighting chance. Although damn you Phillies for clinching it in 5 so that Saturday's game starts at 2am here... I have to leave for the airport at 7am on Sunday morning, so that will be difficult to fit in...