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POSTGAME: Sox call on another 2004 hero »
October 21, 2007
By KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer
BOSTON – Covered with shiny gold and silver medallions and adorned with a giant Randy Moss Patriots jersey, David Ortiz pronounced the Red Sox ready for action in Sunday night’s Game Seven in the American League Championship Series.
Ortiz said the Sox are healthy and happy after watching Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling shut down the Indians and pitch Boston back into a 3-3 tie with the Cleveland Indians. Now it’s Daisuke Matsuzaka versus Jake Westbrook for the right to advance to the World Series.
''We’re not comfortable, we’re confident,” said Ortiz. “This is it. This is where you want to be. I like to be in this situation. There’s no tomorrow. Tomorrow the best team is going to win.''
Ortiz quickly corrected himself. He said Game Seven is not exactly fun but after falling behind 3-1 in the series, he’s more than happy to suit up for another game Sunday.
''I don’t like to get to Game Seven. I like to get it over earlier. It’s a lot of stress. Sometimes you get to over-do things. It’s not like you can fix it tomorrow. If you make any mistakes you have to wait until next year.''
Ortiz, who stroked a double and walked Saturday night and is hitting .368 in the series, said he was thrilled that his confidence in Schilling was rewarded.
''I told you guys. The man knows how to handle a big situation like that. He did what he normally does,” he said.
Now it’s Matsuzaka’s turn. After getting knocked around (4.1 IP, 4 R, 6H) in Game Three in Cleveland, Dice-K watched plenty of video and heard plenty of encouragement from his teammates. Now it’s his turn to contribute to the Red Sox’ ALCS comeback.
''I feel good,” Ortiz said when asked about Matsuzaka. “He’s watched a lot of video, trying to figure things out. Tomorrow’s a big day for him.”
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