Game 3's postponement could benefit the Red Sox, who need to win four of five.
By MARC TOPKIN
Published October 16, 2004
BOSTON - Friday's rainout could turn out to be one of the best days of the American League Championship Series for the Red Sox.
While they still trail the Yankees two games to none in the best-of-seven series, the ramifications of the revamped schedule - with Game 5 now set for Monday at 5:10 p.m. - could work to their benefit.
Boston manager Terry Francona joked that their only advantage was that the Yankees "didn't win tonight," but there seemed to be several positive developments for the Sox on an otherwise gloomy day:
Ace Curt Schilling, whose season seemed to be over because of an ankle injury, tried a different type of shoe in a bullpen session and did well enough that the Red Sox are encouraged he could pitch again in this series.
While Francona downplayed the possibility, the Sox have the opportunity to bring Pedro Martinez back for Game 5 on regular rest rather than wait to pitch him in a potential Game 6 in New York.
The loss of Monday's off-day creates a scenario in which the teams could play on five consecutive days, which could further tax the Yankees' tattered rotation and restrict their ability to use closer Mariano Rivera in every game.
"It probably benefits us a little more with the fact that we have another day to prepare and to maybe get Schilling right," Boston centerfielder Johnny Damon said.
"Those guys are still sitting on a 2-0 lead. What a lot of people say is that we've got nothing to lose right now. They can wait it out, keep thinking about the games. We're carefree and loose and feel very confident in what we can do. I don't know how eager they are to take the field and try to get this series over, but we're fine."
The news about Schilling may have been the most important of the night, or just to give the Yankees something else to think about on their night off.
Wearing a specially designed - though not properly fitted - high-top shoe and not wearing an ankle brace, Schilling was able to throw in the bullpen better than he did Tuesday.
"He did pretty well," Francona said. "Well enough where we are just leaving the door open for his season not to be over, but that's about the extent of it right now."
The biggest difference was Schilling's ability to take more of normal stride. The next step will be to see how he feels today, and whether he can manage the discomfort enough to try to pitch under game conditions, with Game 6 the most likely possibility, and Game 5 a long shot.
"We were encouraged," Francona said. "But that's the first step of a process to see if he can come back and pitch."
The Sox will keep their rotation intact for the next two games, with Brooksville's Bronson Arroyo pitching tonight and knuckleballer Tim Wakefield on Sunday.
Francona said they "most likely" would stick with a plan to use Derek Lowe in Game 5, but then said, "We kind of reserve the right to change that."
The status of the series and Schilling's availability could be factors, but it would be a surprise if they didn't take the chance to use Martinez.
"What it's going to come down to is we are trying to win the series," Francona said. "That will be how we base our decision solely. Not to extend the series, not to get to a certain game. It's based on trying to win four games."
The Yankees plan to keep their rotation intact, with Kevin Brown going tonight, Orlando Hernandez on Sunday and Mike Mussina on Monday. That leaves them with Jon Lieber for a potential Game 6 and some uncertain possibilities for a Game 7 - Brown, who has has back problems, on short rest or Javier Vazquez, who has been so inconsistent he was dropped from the rotation. An alternative would be to move up Mussina and Lieber to Games 4 and 5 and use Hernandez in Game 7, but pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre said they didn't like that scenario.
"With the off day now being taken away on Monday it will put us in a situation where we'll have to think about what we want to do if the series does go seven games," Stottlemyre said. "We'll see what happens and try to adjust to the situation."
