So yesterday was a pretty terrible day for any Red Sox fan. We saw our lead in the AL East shrink to 4 games, and I think it can be called a race again.
Anyone who watched the game questions why Gagne was even put into that game. You have a proven combo with Okajima/Papelbon, and you pull Okajima for Gagne, whom has had trouble. There are a few reasons floating around out there, one of which being the Right/Left matchup. First of all, with the exception of Lopez and the few lefties he faced, Francona hasn’t played the Right/Left game for most of this year. I certainly hope he doesn’t start now. Theres something benifical about letting the reliever take care of his full inning. Plus, its not like Oki hasn’t gotten righties out before. They are only batting .1xx something off him. Terry lost this game by over management.
This leaves us with Gagne. He’s struggled in a Sox uniform, no doubt about that, but it has all been on the road. Gagne is a guy who has closed, handled the pressure. You wan’t pressure Gagne, here it is. You are stepping into the gates of Fenway, and it’s here. I hope, and expect, you to be cheered in your first appearance. Get your blood pumping because this is your home now. Let the crowd fuel you, get mad, pumped, whatever it is you do and have a good outing becuase if you don’t those cheers will turn to boo’s rather quickly.
Show us why we are the best pen in baseball, and why we should ever let you pitch in the 8th.
