An Important Win, For Preparation's Sake

Remember how we were just talking about the advantages of being able to prep for the postseason instead of fighting for a division title? Well, take Exhibit A: Red Sox 5, Indians 4.

What did Boston get from this victory if they aren't going to be able to catch the Rays? They got a key inning from Manny Delcarmen in a pressure situation, a 1-2-3 ninth to preserve a win. And make no mistake, the Boston native needed that to restore confidence that he can dominate when it counts in the playoffs.

While Justin Masterson's emergence as a reliable set up man has made the bullpen deeper and more dynamic, Delcarmen still hadn't reestablished himself as the absolute go-to righty after the break. Sure, Terry Francona was treating him like a prototypical tight spot pitcher, but Delcarmen has flopped almost a third of the time, not exactly the kind of success rate that one looks for come the postseason.

Luckily for Tito, Delcarmen actually seems to have turned a corner. He's been tough against Tampa Bay, set the stage fairly well for Javier Lopez's lefty spot work and legitimately appeared to be one overpowering performance away from entering the playoffs with a significant strut.

Cue Wednesday night. If Delcarmen can produce quality pitches and, more significantly, locate like he did in Wednesday's win, Francona will suddenly have a quartet of key relievers to set the stage for the one and only Jonathan Papelbon.  From the right, Francona can use Delcarmen and Masterson. From the left: Lopez and the resurgent Hideki Okajima. If those four are firing on all cylinders, the bullpen really can be as clutch as it was in 2007.

And, since all traditional adages point to pitching being the key to postseason success, that quartet -- plus Papelbon, of course -- behind starters Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield/Paul Byrd (depending on Wake's health) makes Boston a legitimate title contender again.

That, more than any division title, should be good news for Sox fans.

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