Baseball really is a simple game. Catch the ball, don’t beat yourself, get a well pitched game, a couple of timely hits, and bingo, victory is yours. They figured the formula for success out in 1903 and it hasn’t changed yet.

Barry Zito provided the well pitched game for Oakland Thursday. Once his curve ball clicked in around the fourth inning the Red Sox were toast.

A couple of weeks ago I pointed out how poorly the Boston second baseman were playing in the field. It seems when you have a below average player on defense, the ball always finds him, especially at the keystone sack (2nd). It happened twice during Wednesday night’s game when Todd Walker, the offensive hero for Boston, couldn’t turn a crucial double play, thereby prolonging Pedro’s inning and forcing his departure after seven excruciating frames. Damian Jackson couldn’t feed the ball to Nomar properly in the fateful twelfth on a routine double play attempt, and the A’s rallied to win the game.

Yesterday, there was Walker again botching a catch and throw to first base, giving the A’s a big rally. Tom Kelly, one of the most honest baseball managers I have ever met (Minnesota) told me four years ago that Walker couldn’t play for him any longer because he allowed many more runs than he drove in. Thursday, I thought of what Tom Kelly said.

Eric Byrnes also hit a ball over Manny Ramirez’s head for the big hit of the game, a ball that perhaps only Joe Rudi, one of the best leftfielders in A’s history may have caught, so don’t be too hard on Manny’s slow effort.

The scene now shifts to Fenway where things will undoubtedly look different for the Boston nine.

Click below for more!Boston pounds the rock at home. They did so against the A’s in August, routing Ted Lilly. There are whispers coming from Oakland that the courageous Lilly might not be 100%, not unusual for any pitcher this time of year, and not unexpected for Lilly who has never pitched this much in his career.

The playoffs are a day to day proposition. Win today and the optimisim meter runs high. Lose today and you are heading for the bridge. If you are the Red Sox, lose Saturday and you will begin your offseason conditioning on Monday. However, if the Red sox can win Saturday, they then come out Sunday with a chance to send the series back to Oakland.

The point of all this is. It ain’t over until its over. See 2001.

The back end of all these series will be something to watch. if Tim Hudson has to come back on three days rest what will he have? Finger cramps bothered him Wednesday night, will his 247 inning workload bother him on Sunday? Barry Zito the game five starter threw 111 pitches Thursday, many taxing curve balls, what will he have Monday if that game is necessary? One thing about Zito, when Sandy Koufax, the greatest of all time, pitched on two days rest in 1965 in game seven against the Twins, he realized he didn’t have his curve by the second inning, so he threw all fastballs for the rest of the game, shutting the Twins out 2-0 for the title. Zito can’t do that, he needs his curve, his fastball has gotten him into trouble this year, so if the A’s are to prevail without a lot of heartstopping tension for the rest of this series, they better wrap this baby up on Saturday.

Derek Lowe is tough at home, his sinker is very good, how he will respond after Wednesday night’s outing is anybody’s guess. The formula for success for the A’s in Boston, beat the Red Sox bullpen and have Keith Foulke and company seal the deal. I think this series ends in Boston because of the bullpen factor.

Maybe the Red Sox should have “The Monster” Dick Radatz, ace reliever in the 60’s throw out the first pitch for inspiration.

Andy Pettitte did his thing last night. So did Yankee Stadium as the Twins threw the ball around, and the bullpen melted with the game on the line. Ah, Yankee Stadium in October. The Twins better hope they don’t have to comeback for game five because the fans are just warming up. We’ve seen this scenario before.

Kyle Lohse and the Rocket in Minnesota Saturday. I said in my preview the Twins beat righties at home, will they beat Clemens in his last game? Maybe, but I say the Yanks are not going out in Minnesota. Saturday’s game will be loud and tense.

The Giants are in the day to day playoff malaise I spoke of earlier. The Marlins hit lefties and are winning at home. Kirk Rueter needs to keep his team in the game today until the bullpen can save him and the Giants. Mark Redman has always been one of my favorites too. 60,000 in Miami, what a sight it will be.

One thing if the Giants lose today, I would not bring Jason Schmidt back on three days rest. Schmidt hasn’t done it in his career, he has had a tender arm all year and the last time he tried it in the all star game he couldn’t comfortably complete two innings. I would take my chances on beating Dontrelle Willis with my rookie Jerome Williams if it comes to that in game four.

The Cubs need Mark Prior to silence the Braves big bats. Prior is a young man even though he looks around 35 and pitches like a veteran too. Has he hit the wall? Is he overworked? We can only watch the game. What a night in Wrigley coming up with Greg Maddux pitching for the Braves.

By the way, where is A Rod these days? Where is Albert Pujols? Anyone who says the MVP shouldn’t come from a winner, should take a good look at these playoffs games, they are awesome to watch. My MVP takes me to October, this is where hardball is played. Give me a winning team and pick out the player who is most responsible for the trip to the playoffs, that’s the MVP. A Rod and Albert, ordering out for a pizza, while watching the games on television.

Don’t veer from the course. Good pitching stops good hitting and in today’s game and that means the bullpen from the seventh inning on too. Defense wins championships, catch the ball and throw it properly.

Game three is the key game, it dictates how the teams will view game four and you would rather not be the team facing elimination (1-2), having the upper hand (2-1) gives you a cushion and more options.

Now, let’s see who gets there tonight.