Huh, doesn’t this feel familiar? Down 3-1 in an ALCS series because Tito decided to allow an ineffective Wakefield start a critical game four. You know, the Tim Wakefield who was 0-2 with a 5.87 ERA this season against the Devil Rays. For that matter, Shaky Wakey was 1-2 with a 9.00 ERA since the 2003 ALCS before last night. In fact, he’s been so bad that when he put up the 2.2IP, 5ER stinker last night, his ERA rose less than one run (0.89). For that reason, I pretty much expected and therefore was strangely calm while watching Wake put the Sox in a 0-3 hole before the new-look lineup (it only took 18 unproductive at bats in a row for Jacoby to be benched) had a chance to bat. And then after the Sox failed to capitalize on a 1st/3rd one out situation in the 2nd, Wake made sure to give the Devil Rays enough of a cushion that they could breeze through the rest of the game.

I was sadly excited when Kevin Cash crushed a pitch into the monster seats in the 3rd only because it meant we wouldn’t be shut-out. And when the Sox scored twice in the 8th to cut the deficit to 13-4, all I could think was that at least it wouldn’t be another 11 run playoff loss (19-8 anyone)?

So while it’s still possible for the Sox to pull themselves out of this five and a half foot ditch they’ve dug themselves, well, let’s just make sure that we cheer Tek in case this will be his last at-bat with a C on his jersey. Despite this year, I still hope he is wearing the Olde Towne uniform next season, but with a much shorter/cheaper contract and with a young catcher to mentor.

So as game five approaches, hopefully the Sox can get a motivational speech from Kevin Millar and ride it to seven straight victories.