I'll take it!

THIS is why you want Francona managing the team and not your friend Sully.

I would have treated this game as a must win for the Red Sox. (Lots of must win games in baseball before Tax Day!)

I would have started Big Papi and when the Yankees were rallying, I'd have had Okajima and Papelbon in there in a heart beat.

But Francona thinks about the big picture... and Papelbon and Okajima needed a night off and Ortiz needs to clear his head.

And the Red Sox won the must win game anyway!

First series goes to the Champs.
1/2 a game behind Toronto and Baltimore as they head to Cleveland for an ALCS rematch.

That's right, I'm already checking the standings