First off let me say that I've had the pleasure of attending a Baltimore Oriole away game at Fenway Park. Anyone that has a remote interest in baseball or sports needs to go to Fenway. The moment you exit the Kenmore T stop and start walking over the bridge to get to Yawkey Way that Fenway's a special place. (As great as a time as I had the night I went there, the O's losing 4-2 was a bit of a buzz kill!) Fenway's version of Eutaw St is Yawkey Way, although it's merely a street that runs outside the ballpark and thus not a ticketed area. There's a carnival-like atmosphere with vendors, stores, and thousands of people. Walking into the ballpark itself is like walking back in time to 1912. The park is largely unchanged save for a few aspects, and that definitely adds to the charm. The concourses are very narrow, as are the seats. However the first thought that runs through your head upon seeing that green wall for the first time (in person) is oh my God it's real!
The Red Sox limp into this series grasping at straws with regard to the playoffs. They certainly have a chance, however...let's face it, they're done. Remember the line in the Johnny Cash song John Henry? "...you're full of vinegar now, but you're 'bout through." That's the Red Sox. Similar to the O's, they've had too many injuries to the core of their team to be competitive. Just like they always do, they'll put up a valiant fight I'm sure. However the difference between the Rays, Yankees, and Red Sox is that NY and Tampa have no injuries and thus are fighting on a fair playing field. (Having said this, you never know what's going to happen down the stretch.) So while the Orioles are not eligible for any postseason play, the stand a chance to drive a stake through the heart of Red Sox nation for 2010. If the O's could take two-of-three, they'd potentially put the playoffs out of reach for Boston. Honestly, given that these Red Sox have embarrassed the Orioles on numerous occasions over the years, there'd be some poetic justice in that. However the Orioles need to focus on winning these games or themselves moreso than shutting the door on Boston's season.
I would submitt however that this series is more important to the Orioles than it is for the Red Sox. While in public they're saying that they still have a chance at the postseason, odds are in the backs of their heads they know that they're a long shot to go to the playoffs. They also know that come 2011, they'll get their entire team back from injury and will potentilly be ready to run. The 2010 Orioles have no idea at the moment what the 2011 team will look like. Odds are that the main core of the team (Roberts, Markakis, Jones, Matusz, Arrieta, etc) will be in tact, but nobody really knows who's going to be gone and who's going to be brought in come opening day 2011. Since August 3rd, the O's have learned how to win, and it appears that they've been enjoying that a heck of a lot more than losing. Boston came to Camden Yards a few weeks ago and took two-of-three from the O's. Since then, the Orioles took series' from Tampa Bay, Toronto, and New York; the AL East has been a thorn in the Orioles' side for quite some time. If the Orioles can win at least two of these games, they'll contiue that progression of learning how to win.
Going into 2011, winning games in the division will decide what kind of team the Orioles will be. Fenway is a tough place for anyone to play, but it's been a house of horrors for the Orioles (even though it's a fun ballpark). The way I see things, the 2011 Orioles will have twelve games to play at Fenway, the first three being in the next few days. The Red Sox know what they'll be next year, so this series is much more important to the Orioles than to Boston. But it wouldn't bother most Oriole fans to know that the O's were one of the teams that closed he door once and for all on the Red Sox, who I think are 'bout through.
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