Here's some "frank talk" on the Rays at Fenway.

   On paper, Game 3 is not a good matchup.

   Yes, the Rays believe they have stolen momentum by winning Game 2 9-8 in 11 innings.

   Yes, the Rays have tied this ALCS at 1-1.

   But the Rays are facing one of the game's top young pitchers in Jon Lester,  Lester is 3-0 against the Rays this season with a 0.90 ERA.  Add in the fact that Lester has not lost at Fenway since April.  Lester is 11-0 in his last 15 outings at Fenway and his ERA is 1.78.

   And that's the good news.

   The bad news begins with the fact Lester is a lefty.  The Rays have been awful against lefthanded pitching all season.

    But again, all of that is "on paper."

    You would think somebody is going to get to Lester at Fenway.

    And the Rays top hitters in Game 2 were BJ Upton and Evan Longoria.  Both are righthanded and both belted homers in the victory.  We need to see what the Rays lefthanded powerhitter Carlos Pena can do against Lester.

    All season the Rays have done the unexpected.  A victory in Game 3 with these matchups would take "unexpected" to a whole new level.

    The Rays walked into Fenway at 12:45.  It is a cool, overcast day.  There is a slight breeze blowing to left.  And the atmosphere surrounding Fenway is electric. 

     Al Keck