I don't really have a rooting interest in the RSox, but I am crossing my fingers for a play in game.... There are many beautiful things about the Fall, one is playoff baseball. There would be no better way to start this time of year, than 1 or even 2 play in games....
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ouch, too true...

Best thing that could happen is we win, rays lose, and skip the tie breaker. then Becket starts against the rangers and we have a faint wispy chance at building some momentum.

but of course, ray's losing is still unlikely... Yankes may field a better bench this time, but its certain they'll still be fielding the lowest grade they've got in their bullpen to give the starters plenty of time to rest before the playoffs.
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Though I'd consider it nonsense were it to crop up, I am glad I've not seen complaints that the Yankees are deliberately tanking it against the Rays. If anyone holds that opinion, yet have refrained from voicing it, just take note of last night's loss.

Do you truly believe that Girardi told Martin to hit into a triple play? Do you think he instructed Tex to pull a bonehead base-running gaffe, failing to score from second on a double? And with things set up with the Yankees formula for success all year, holding a lead in the seventh and looking forward to Robertson and Mo slamming the door, do you imagine that Joe gave Martin the signal from the dugout to flash Soriano the sign for a meatball to blow the hold and yield up the game-winning 3-run homer? Please.

Think what you will of the New York Yankees, admit that they are not only professional, but that they know enough to avoid tempting those Baseball Gods who have been so good to them in the past.
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nah, no way the Yankees are deliberately tanking against the Rays. Those boys are professional athletes. First and foremost, they're there to play a game.

Of course part of that "game" includes winning a championship, which is a lot easier to do when you're players aren't injured... so you can be damned sure they're going to be playing more cautious baseball than the Rays - no Jeter-flying-into-the-stands in these games, nothing that would be such an obvious risk of injury.

Of course folks get injured all the time playing regular baseball. Veritek got whacked in the knee a few nights ago by an errant pitch and was out for a few games (not sure if he played tonight). He wasn't taking any risks, but sometimes sh*t happens. Nevertheless its certain the Yankees are doing everything they can to mitigate the amount of sh*t that can happen to them in these last few games.

I don't consider that deliberately tanking the game. I consider that playing good strategic baseball, plain and simple. YES, it gives the Rays a little more of a chance then they would normally have if they were in the playoffs and it was do-or-die for the Yankees - then you'd see Jeter diving into the stands to win the game at all costs. BUT that's most certainly not deliberately playing badly. I'm quite certain every player out there is playing his absolute best to win AND still be healthy to step back onto the field in the next game.
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Rays tied in the bottom of the 11th, Red Sox are clinging to a 1 run lead going into the top of the 9th.... should be interesting....
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And the Red Sox lost in the bottom of the 9th. :-)
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and thanks to the Yanks blowing a 7 run lead the sox are out:-)
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:-) .... but not unexpected from them... (although I will say it was unexpected from Papelbon)

Yeah, the Rays beat up on them BAD in the 8th. But that's baseball, it happens. Never thought I'd be sad for a Yankee loss!!!!
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:-)

It had nothing to do with the Sox going 7-20 in the month of September, and losing 5 of their last 7 to Baltimore!

:-)
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Oh Well, Sh*t happens :-)
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Just remember the biggest choke ever was 2004 :-)
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nope, it was the Yanks blowing the lead....:-)....truth be told, no pitching = no playoffs...
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It figures it happens the first year my firm has season tickets ...

Who wants to see stupid baseball playoff games in a 99-year old ball park anyway? :-)
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27 World Series Titles.. Choke on that :-) :-)
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The Red Sox were 76-0 when leading in the 8th....until last night.

Just like a lawn chair, folded up after September.
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Ouch. 9 game lead as of September 2nd. Sorry to :-)
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Exactly. Last night was just icing on the cake.
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