The Morning After: Redemption, a Red Sox story

How else can you describe last night’s Game 6 throttling of the Indians? A 40 year-old starter who showed up to spring training bigger than a blimp came through with a gutsy, seven-inning performance. The most maligned man in Boston hit a first inning grand slam and tacked on another RBI in his second trip up. Even Eric Gagne pitched a perfect inning.

J.D. Drew got a full swallow of redemption in the first inning last night.

Indeed, for all involved - especially Curt Schilling, J.D. Drew and Gagne - Game 6 was a true redemption song. And by singing that tune, the team added a sudden swing to the 2007 ALCS, forcing it into a do-or-die Game 7.

With plenty of doubts swirling around the starters for both teams, it was the old man pitching next to the sea who proved sturdy in the pressure-packed postseason game. Where Cleveland’s Fausto Carmona stumbled, forcing his manager Eric Wedge to lift him in the third inning, Schilling strode confidently on, getting out of a nasty third-inning jam after allowing the first two batters to reach, then watching his teammates erupt for six more runs that truly put the game away.

It was exactly the kind of performance that Sox fans used to expect of Schilling, a playoff prima dona of the highest degree, but a showman who’s always known how to turn his tricks at just the right time. Now, after a Game 2 stumble, it appears he may have hedged his bet right again, coming through at home when Boston needed it. With a similar crap shoot of Game 7 starters - Red Sox and Rising Son ace Daisuke Matsuzaka is determined but has been shaky while Cleveland’s Jake Westbrook has been feast or famine - momentum is firmly on Boston’s side. They have a bullpen that is fully rested and loaded for bear. They have a lineup which has seen its bottom half awaken, to the tune of 12 runs from the likes of Drew, Lugo, Dustin Pedroia and the recently promoted Jacoby Ellsbury. Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz combined for only one hit Saturday night, which just seems to indicate they could explode Sunday.

And, just to add another ace in the hole, they have Josh Beckett mentally ready to pitch in relief on only two days rest if needed.

All of those things could become major factors in Game 7, and any factor could swing the entire series. The pressure is finally even, and Boston doesn’t seem to be feeling it. Yet.

If that trend holds on for one more day, there may be a whole handful more days in the season, and they’re the best ones to have.

– Cameron Smith, AP Photo