Can Dice-K help the Red Sox beat the Rays in Game 5?
What we now know is the fact that the Philadelphia Phillies have already punched in their ticket.
And while Philly awaits who’ll come out of the ALCS to play them in the 2008 MLB World Series, it all heats up in Boston where the locals try to will their Red Sox to force a Game 6 on Saturday, trying to slow down a Tampa Bay team that’s only a win away from advancing to the big dance.
It’s Game 5 of the ALCS as the Tampa Bay Rays, who are now holding a commanding 3-1 series lead after winning three games in a row, look to finish off the Boston Red Sox, a team on the receiving end of three straight debacles after starting this best-of-seven series with a 2-0 win in Tampa.
For what it’s worth, the guy who 
helped the Boston Red Sox to their only win in the ALCS will be back on the mound. Of course, the Boston faithful will be hoping that he will be able to give their team a similar result the last time he was on the field.
And for all ya’ll wondering who that guy is, it’s Daisuke Matsuzaka. The last time he faced the Rays, he held them scoreless, only giving up four hits in a defensive 2-0 triumph to give Boston the early 1-0 lead after Game 1. He comes back to the mound with his team down 3-1 and another stellar performance from him is BIG considering that it’s win or go home time for his boys.
Game 4 was perfect for the Rays, Evan Longoria hit his rookie-record fifth home run of the playoffs while Carlos Pena and Willy Aybar, who had four hits and four RBIs, also homered off. Carl Crawford tied an AL championship series record with five hits and Andy Sonnanstine pitched 7 1-3 sharp innings.
Before edging Boston for the AL East title by two games back in the regular season, Tampa Bay has never even approached a .500 record during its first decade in the majors. Surprisingly, the Rays were poised and powerful in the ALCS against a Red Sox team that has made the playoffs in five of the last six years, advancing to the ALCS four times and winning it all twice.
A win this Thursday will let Tampa Bay extend what has been one of the most wonderful Cinderella runs in sports today.
Which team will win the 2008 MLB World Series? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.
Boston Red Sox 3.00
Tampa Bay Rays 3.25
Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more baseball betting odds. Want to watch the MLB World Series live? Get MLB World Series tickets online now.
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