Game 2 of the ALCS had a little of everything, in fact too much to re-hash today. My beef is about how long Francona stuck with an ineffective Beckett who gave the lead back to the Rays 3 times before his exit in the 5th inning.
It was reminiscent of Game 7 in 2003 when Grady Little stuck with Pedro after he got hammered by the Yankees. We all know how that one turned out.
As a pitcher, you know when you're going good or struggling. You may not like an early hook from a manager, but the question for the manager becomes "do you want to win or not offend a star."
Just like in the Pedro incident, prior to the inning, I would have told Beckett that if anyone gets on, you're coming out. That way there are no surprises. Yes, I would have let him go out to start the 5th, but the leash would have been much shorter.
Think back to Game 1 when Tito let Dice-K start the 8th. That was a bit odd with the whole bullpen available & could have cost the Sox an opening game win.
In the big picture the Sox did what they had to do -- get a split at the Trop. Game 2 was certainly winnable, though, & I hope it doesn't come back to bite us.
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