TDA Bullpen - Our Writers' Blog

Monday, October 06, 2003

Here we go. Game 5, tonight in Oakland, and it's sure to be another "instant classic."

Pedro's Game 1 performance (7.0 IP, 3 ER, 3K, 4BB, 130 pitches) was gutsy to say the least, but Oakland got to him in a three-run third inning. If the A's can chip away at him early again, they'll be in business. You can be sure that Grady Little will be depending heavily on Martinez to get at least seven, if not eight, solid innings from his star. However, with the A's stars shut down (Miguel Tejada's batting .053, Eric Chavez is hitting a miniscule .056), it will be up to Erubial Durazo, who got the big hit against Pedro in Game 1, and Eric Byrnes (6-13, 2RBI, 2R, 1SB) to pick up the A's lineup.

The Red Sox will be facing Barry Zito, who left Boston's lineup watching his curveball come at their heads, only to land in Ramon Hernandez's glove as strike three. Zito allowed five hits and one earned run to the Sox while striking out nine and walking two batters. However, after David Ortiz's clutch hit in last night's game and Todd Walker's huge series (.357, 5-14, 3HR, 4RBI), could the Boston lineup be finally ready for a big game?

One of Boston's concerns is put to rest: Scott Williamson has been the closer that they hoped they were getting at the July 31 deadline. If the game comes down to the wire (which I think it will), at least Boston fans won't cringe as much when their bullpen is needed.

Everyone on the East Coast should expect not to be asleep before 1AM tonight...

posted by Charles Curtis 10:23 AM