Sports Chowdah Recap for October 9th:BoSox Fizzle As Division Series Heads To Boston.Yanks To Play Dome-Ball w/ 2 Game Lead

Damn....they took my bootlaces away.

I think Game 1 of the Angels/Red Sox series should simply be referred to as 'Four Hours Of My Life That I'm Never Getting Back'. The Red Sox combined for eight hits and one run in the first two games of the ALDS while Torii Hunter belted a 3-run homer off of Jon Lester in Game 1 and Erick Aybar's 2-RBI triple off of Josh Beckett broke tonight's game open for the Los Angeles Angels of a Municipality Somewhere in Orange County California Immediately South East of Los Angeles Angels. There was a Papelbon sighting, but it was obviously a non-save situation. The two teams head to Boston with the Angels holding a commanding 2-0 series lead, and there really is no way to sugarcoat the clunker that has been 2009 Red Sox postseason baseball.

Now at this point I'd like to be a gushy, doe-eyed optimist and point out that the Red Sox have been down before 0-2: 2003 ALDS versus Oakland or the '99 ALDS versus the Tribe....or need I mention the historic comeback that was the 2004 ALCS? But the last two nights make it very difficult for me to be optimistic. It's not exactly the most scientific or insightful approach, but I'm not getting the same 'do or die' sense of urgency from this years' team than I was the 2003 Cowboy-up or 2004 Idiots or even last years Division winners rallying back from a 7-0 defecit to force a Game 7 with Tampa in last year's ALCS. Last year, after nearly sweeping the regular season series with Boston, the Angels were the better team on paper heading into the ALDS. This year, it's looking as though that advantage isn't confined to mere paper.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the country Alex Rodriguez homered off of Twins closer Joe Nathan to tie the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the 9th inning. The Twins managed to get out of a jam with Yankee baserunners on 1st and 3rd with only one out in extra innings, Johnny Damon grounded into a double play. However, the Twins left the bases loaded in the top of the 11th and Mark Teixera hit a walk-off home run off of Jose Miljares. So baseball returns under the Metrodome with the Yankees holding a 2-0 series lead.

It was a travel day for the National League teams. The Philadelphia/Colorado series resumes tomorrow with the series even at one game a piece (TV: TBS, XM Radio Channel 140- 3:30 ET, 12:30 PT) while the Dodgers head to Busch Field with a 2-0 lead over the St. Louis Cardinals (TV: TBS, XM Radio Channels 140 and 175).

Also tomorrow- a bunch of College football. w00t!