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Platoy,

Yes, it is frustrating they are not winning more on the road. You are right, the game, rules, and equipment are the same, but there are differences to the players. I am not presenting these as excuses, so before someone starts firing back, I am just stating some facts. When you are at home, you sleep in your own bed (or the one you have settled into during the season), you use your regular locker, etc. There is a comfort factor related to all that, plus there is comfort in the ball park you see the most. Other parks always seems a little odd at first - dimensions, light angles, where the wind comes from, outfield dimensions, feel of the grass or turf, the feel of the dirt. I played for many years and all of those things do feel different. That comfort level is enough to give the home team a slight edge, but clearly, talent and ability should easily outshine those small things. The home crowd also has some potential to give the home team a boost, which I always felt was more beneficial than the reverse (putting the visiting team off). When you cheer against the visiting team, it generally just gives them a little boost to want to prove you wrong. But the big boost is the roar of a crowd that is on your side.

So, all that said, the home team does have a better comfort level and such, but a better team will rise above that. The sweep at the hands of the Angels was frustrating, but not devastating. The Angels are a top notch team, and will likely be a playoff contender. I kind of think the two teams are reasonably evenly matched, on the whole. Being at home is probably enough of an edge to give them a slight lift, and the challenge of facing the world champs (who they owe for getting knocked out of the playoffs) is another motivating factor. In general, they were a little sharper, and that's all it took. Results might have been different in Fenway.

I don't think they should do too much shaking up just yet. Ellsbury can be a demon leading off when he gets on base. Drop him in th eorder and you lose that potential. Of course, if he does not get on base, that does not help either.

Theo should be punding the pavement every year, looking for ways to improve the team. Terry shoudl be getting the most of his players that he has. Bouncing around players too much is detrimental to building a solid team.

What does all that mean? Not much, other than they lost, they move on, they'll fight hard, and they have the talent to fare well in the end.