Tampa Bay 6 White Sox 2

So the Rays are the most successful playoff team in history....they've won 100% of their playoff series. And they won it on merit, they were by far the better team. Today, Andy Sonnastine had a nice start going 5.2, allowing only 3 hits (2 of which were solo homers) and 1 walk. Their bullpen has been amazing all season and were no different today, J.P. Howell and Grant Balfour pitched the last 3.1 innnigs only allowing 1 hit and 1 walk.

Offensively BJ Upton hit 2 solo homers and he, Iwamura and Pena, the top of the Ray's batting order were 7 for 14 with 3 runs and 4 RBI. Former Jay Gabe Gross went 0 for 3 with a walk. Eric Hinske spent the game on the bench again.

For the Sox, Gavin Floyd, had a rough start, 3 innings and 4 earned runs, giving up both of Upton's home runs. Clayton Richard, for the second time in this short playoff round, did a good job in long relief, going 3 innings allowing only 1 run. I'd have to think that Richard will get a shot at the Sox' starting rotation next year.

Offensively the Sox again didn't do near enough, only getting 4 hits, with Konerko and Dye hitting solo shots in a losing cause. Griffey had a poor series and poor game, striking out 3 times today to give him 5 strike outs in 10 at bats with only 2 hits. Orlando Cabrera and Jim Thome each went 0 for 4 today and hit just .125 for the series. Former Jay Dwayne Wise went 0 for 2 before being pinch hit for, he had 2 hits ( a double and a homer) in 7 at bats.

Red Sox 3 Angels 2

A much more exciting game, so of course I had to be out tonight and didn't get to watch it. Jon Lester was terrific pitching 7 shut out innings and giving up just 4 hits, 2 walks and 4 strike outs. But Hideki Okajima and Justin Masterson combined to give up the 2 tying runs in the 8th. Fortunately the for the Sox the Angels blew a suicide squeeze in the top of the 9th.  Perhaps a moment of over managing, with a runner on third and 1 out Willie Aybar missed the ball on a bunt attempt and Varitek ran down Willits trying to get back to third. Tek dropped the ball after diving to make the tag, but watching the replay it was obvious that he didn't drop the ball entil he hit the ground after the tag. But it did bring Sciosia out of the dugout to argue.

In the bottom of the 9th the Sox got the winning run when Lowrie singled home Jason Bay from second with 2 out. Bay had a great series in his first chance in the postseason, he hit .412 in the 4 games with 2 homers.

John Lackey had a good start for the Angels pitching 7 innings, with 7 hits and 2 earned runs. Scot Shields pitched a quick 8th but gave up the winning run in the 9th, but considering he pitched 2 innings yesterday he must have been tiring.

So the next round of the playoffs is all set, Red Sox and Rays in what should be a heck of a series. The Sox will be without Lowell and they must be wondering what they will get from Josh Becket too. In the NL it is  Phillies and Dodgers which could be a lot of fun too. I'll post the winner of the first round playoff pool tomorrow and get a pool up for the next round of the playoffs.

Another day, another 3 games.....I'm going to need help getting off the couch when this is over.

First Game: White Sox 4 Rays 6

Evan Longoria is amazing, 3 hits, 2 home runs. Former Jay Gabe Gross played in RF for the Rays and went 1 for 3 with a walk. The other famous former Jay on the Rays Eric Hinske sat this one out. James Shields pitched a decent 6.1 innings and Balfour, Howell and Wheeler did a great job coming out of the bullpen. Balfour and Cabrera had an interesting moment when Cabrera didn't like that Balfour threw a breaking ball off the plate. A few words were exchanged and Balfour took more then the normal amount of joy when he struck Orlando out.

Javier Vazquez was terrible for the Sox, 4.1 innings, 8 hits, the 2 homers and 6 earned runs. I'd guess that he won't be starting again in the playoffs. Clayton Richard did a nice job in relief but by then it was too late. Former Jay prospect Dewayne Wise hit a three run homer in the losing cause.

Second Game: Brewers 2 Phillies 5

Phillies up 2 games to none.

Sabathia was awful, we may have found the answer to the musical question 'how many times in a row can a pitcher be amazing on short rest? 3.2 innings and 5 earned for CC. How many games have you watched where the pivotal at bat was when the pitcher was hitting? With 2 out in the 2nd Brett Myers worked a 9 pitch walk, keeping the inning going. Another walk then a Victorino grand slam and the game was pretty much over.

Stairs didn't get into the game again today. Tomorrow former Jay Dave Bush starts for the Brewers in a do or die game.

Third Game: Dodgers 10 Cubs 3

Dodgers up 2 games to none.

Boy the Cubs were awful, 4 errors leading to 4 unearned runs. Zambrano wasn't terrible, he was hurt by all the errors but then he didn't get the outs when he needed them. Manny hit another home run. Canadian Russell Martin drove in 3 runs.

Saturday Canadian Rich Harden starts for the Cubs, they'll need a great start from him, cause they looked terrible in the first two games. I'd mention that they were my pick to win the series but I think that goes without saying. I can pick them.

I was sure, when the ball left the bat, that Rod had tied up the game. And had he hit it two feet higher they would still be playing, but that was one heck of a catch in left by Ruggiano. Purcey deserved better.

The only good part of the game, David Purcey, he was amazing. Complete game ( 8 innings) 5 hitter, 11 strike outs, no walks. Only 92 pitches, which an amazing 70 were strikes. But as it turned out only one of those pitches mattered, a fourth inning pitch to Carlos Pena that he knocked out of the park. But I can't say it enough Purcey was terrific.

Unfortunately Garza was about as good. Garza went 7.2, only gave up 6 hits, 3 walks and 5 k's. Then, when Garza tired, Grant Balfour got Lind to strike out with Rios and Wells on first and second to finish the 8th and Wheeler came got the save with a 1, 2, 3 ninth. Though that last out.......Frig, Rod came close.

We did get our chances but, like so many times this season we couldn't get the hit we needed leaving 8 guys on base. Only Inglett got more than one hit and he was the only one to get an extra base hit, a double. Scoot, Rios, Wells, and Mac all had 0 fers and Bautista struck out in his pinch hit at bat. He is 0 for his last 20. I still think we got robbed on that deal but I'm willing to wait and see. I will mention that Lind got sent to AAA for going 1 for 19......

Jay of the Day? Take a guess....Purcey was the only one in the positives for WPA, .261. Suckage Jays: Lyle (-.170), Lind (-.134), Mac (-.125) and Scoot (-.100).

Tomorrow we have Jesse Litsch (9-7, 4.01) vs. Edwin Jackson (10-8, 3.93). Red Sox are thumping the Yankees 11-3 at the moment, which to me is good because I think it's time to set our sights on just passing the Yankees. We start a series against the Yankees on Friday and get to face Carl Pavano (no really, Carl Pavano), Darrell Rasner and Pettitte. If the last few games of good offense weren't a mirage we should see a heck of a lot of runs scored.