Back in 2004??

In about half an hour, Red Sox Nation will hold its breath once again in hopes of witnessing another improbable comeback in the League Championship Series. It's become all too familiar. Remember 04? THE year for Boston? Do you recall Boston being down 3-0 to the Yankees and coming within a couple innings of going home empty handed for another year? And then, do you recall how Dave Roberts stole the show from Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the 9th followed by that infamous blast by David Ortiz in the 12th? And how the very next night Johnny Damon trotted home in extras to force a Game 6. And how Boston held firm in New York and stunned the baseball world by advancing to the World Series?

We might as well be back in 04, cause after seeing the Sox down 3-1 to the Rays, I thought they had no shot of coming back. Boston was demoralized by Tampa at Fenway in Game 4, losing 13-4. The next night, they were down 7-0 in the 7th, but somehow, with the ghost of Dave Roberts and Johnny Damon lurking somewhere in Boston, the team pulled the greatest comeback in playoff history. JD Drew was the hero that night, singling in the winning run in the 9th inning. Saturday night in Tampa, Boston held firm, just like they did 4 years ago in Yankee Stadium. And tonight, nobody knows how Game 7 will play out. Jon Lester, who 2 years ago, was embattled with lymphoma, will attempt to save the Nation. Matt Garza, who 2 years ago, nobody had every heard of, will try to push Tampa into uncharted waters.

This is baseball at its best. Whomever advances, this ALCS has been full of drama. This feels like the World Series already...watch out Phillies!

-D