ALCS Game 1: Cy Young Winner v. Cy Young Runner-Up

But who's who? In my opinion it's no match. CC all the way. The Indians were on a stretch in August where they couldn't score runs. Detroit was scuffling too but CC was the reason we actually took over 1st place while in the middle of our worst stretch of the season. From July 24 to September 8th CC started 10 games in a row in which is went at least 6 innings and gave up 2 runs or less. His record was 4-3 during that stretch with a 1.83 ERA. He could have easily won 22 games for us.

Josh Beckett is very good though. Two consecutive playoff shutouts including one the World Series clincher. 20-7 this season. He didn't lose a game until mid-June. But the Tribe has had some success against he in the past. Beckett is 1-3 with 6.57 ERA against the Indians since 2004. In 24 innings he's given up 18 runs. But this season he is 1-1 against the Tribe having only given up 3 runs in 15 innings.

Back to CC. His only start against the Red Sox this year was a 1-0 loss against Dice-K (I was at that game). And CC is only 1-2 against Boston since 2004, but he's a different pitcher these last two seasons. On August 1, 2006, his last start at Fenway, he went 8.0 IP, struck out 8 and only surrendered a solo HR to Mark Loretta in the 3rd inning.

As you can tell I expect this to be a low-scoring pitchers matchup, but you never know in this game. The Indians have been very good against "ace" pitchers this season and I expect another great game-plan on the offensive side tonight.

It's Tribe Time Now! Finally it's here after the 3-day wait! GO TRIBE!