As we move deeper into the offseason, I will be recalling month by month the 2007 season of the World Champion Boston Red Sox.
SEPTEMBER
After losing 4 in a row to end August, Red Sox Nation was very nervous for the start of baseball's final month. But the Sox gave exactly what the fans ordered, a fast start-one included with unexpected history...
Some young minor league dude named Clay Buchholz was set to pitch his 2nd career major league start and certainly no one expected to see history on that night. Buchholz went on to throw the 17th no-hitter in Red Sox history. It was an unbelievable night and a great moment that will never be forgotten. This kid instantly rose to fame and the Sox got 10 times the energy boost they needed.
The Sox went on to win 5 of 6, and 8 out of 11 as Beckett increased his win total to 18 wins. Ortiz, finally...yes, finally had his trademark walk off HR on September 12 in a come from behind victory over the Devil Rays. The Sox then welcomed the Yanks into town, and proceeded to lose yet another series to them. However, Beckett was able to salvage the series with another win, getting his phenominal total up to 19, as the Sox reached the 90 win mark.
But the Sox gave Fenway Faithful another scare, as they got swept by the Toronto Blue Jays. Luckily, the D-rays were next on the schedule, and the Sox took care of business, winning 2 out of 3. A tough 8-6 victory in the middle of the series gave Sox fans a major sense of relief, as the Sox clinched the playoffs.
As the Sox won 2 straight against the A's, it was time for their final series of the year-against the Minnesota Twins. The Sox still had a stranglehold on the division and tried to avoid the epic collapse to the Yanks. After losing the opener, Matsuzaka helped lead the Sox to a 5-2 victory in the 2nd game, getting the Sox to the 95 win mark. With some help from the Orioles, Red Sox Nation was ready to celebrate an American League East Championship.
What a thrill it was to finally know the Sox had won the AL East title. They had lead the division all year and finally had the title to show for it. After splitting their final 2 games of the season, the Sox with a record of 96-66, clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs. After all the jubilation of the Sox first AL East title in seemingly forever, it was time to get ready for a difficult October. First up was a difficult, but beatable Angels team. The Sox knew they had to take care of business, while the surging Yanks were set to take on a solid Indians squad.
Stay tuned for a complete playoff recap as the Sox complete their World Championship season.
