The Red Sox Will Fail

The Angels have hurt the Red Sox, winning the first two games of their 5 game series out in California. Today is an off-day as the teams will next meet in Boston Sunday. During this break, the Sox and their fans will try to conjure up the usual gimmicks to imply that they are the ‘proper’ team to advance in the playoffs:

WEATHER
It will be cold, so when the camera scans the crowd, you’ll see folks bundled up and stirring about to stay warm. The implication is that autumn should be cold; Boston is cold; therefore, Boston deserves to play in autumn.

TRADITIONAL COSTUMES
The Red Sox have been around for more than a century, and they have the uniforms to prove it. For all the talk of Yankee pinstripes, the Red Sox also have a storied home uniform. And within Boston, Brahmins are not alone in giving a disproportionate weight to looks and lineage. Everyone in Boston is a snob who instinctively identifies with the BoSox home uniform, especially when the stirrups are worn in the old knee-high style—the fans eat it up and it fuels their confidence. But it’s just a big sock worn by a jerk jock.

BEN AFFLECK
Actor Ben Affleck will be spotted in the stands, probably in a very good seat. He might be interviewed by TBS. Plus, he might be with an actor friend such as Matt Damon. To Boston fans, this is proof that the Lord is smiling on the Sox—the Angels would be wise to hop on the next plane. But Affleck’s presence is even more superficial than uniforms and overcoats. There is nothing daunting about it.

YANKEES’ ONLY TRUE FOE
According to Sox and Yankees fans, the best rivalry in sports is between the … Yankees and Red Sox. An Angel victory would prevent that ‘ideal’ match-up, so the Angels must be prevented from winning. In case the Angels themselves don’t get this, Sox fans will be petitioning all Americans to in turn petition the Angels to quit, as the best thing for the country.

But all of the above is hogwash with nothing to do with pure baseball talent and fielding a team. The Angels have a superb and superior ball club. They will prevail. It might take a fourth game, but the Angels will advance to play the Yankees.