The Red Sox are up 3-0 in the 2004 World Series. Tonight may add a page to the history books. If the Red Sox were to win tonight they would be the first team in history to win eight straight postseason games. They may also be the first team to win a World Series under a blood-red moon also. A full lunar eclipse is expected during the game. Could this be a sign? We can only hope that it's a good one. ESPN's Jim Caple says the Sox are making it look easy.

The tides have most definitely changed, but nothing comes easy. The team has been playing with an added swagger, however. Some may even call it confidence. I'm not sure I know what that word means, for even at 3-0, I'm not completely comfortable. I mean I just saw a team come back from a three-game deficit to win the ALCS.

One thing that helps ease the ever-present tension: the Cardinals have not faced a team like the Sox. St. Louis may be a great National League club, but no team in the NL is as good as Boston. The starting pitching has been terrific and the bullpen superb. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cardinals have stage fright.

I'd be a little afraid too; the offense has been timely. After getting two outs, most teams seem to throw in the towel. Not the Boston Red Sox, they're just getting started. The Sox have scored at least nine runs this postseason in such situations. The fact is no one wants to be the guy producing the last out.

We've also seen stellar, heads-up play, punctuated last night by Jason Varitek. The catcher pretended Manny's throw wasn't intended for homeplate, then tagged the surprised Larry Walker. Walker was not the only one surprised. Some were amazed that Manny could make the play. I'm not. Yes, Manny is not the best fielding outfielder, but that is not to say he doesn't have an arm. He doesn't have the most range, due mostly to his hamstrung legs. A great play to be sure but not surprising.

The Boston Herald says, "Defense rests" Ortiz ends doubts with play at first" No disrespect to David Ortiz, but he got lucky. Jeff Suppan made a baserunning error, costing his team a run. It was a good heads-up play and a nice throw, but stellar "D?" I do not recall a ball being hit in Papi's direction. That is a credit to the pitch selection rather than great defense. Papi's bat is a tremendous addition; his fielding is still suspect.

Regardless, last night's game was the best I have seen played in the postseason. The team played the field well and got some key hits. Simply put the Sox have what it takes.

The real reason for their success was the return of 1997's Pedro Martinez. ESPN's Jayson Stark suggests it was Pedro's signature moment.

While announcers worried that Pedro looked a little off early on, he settled down. After his team got the lead, he retired 14 Cardinals in a row. Brilliant. He had St. Louis batters chasing all night. It may prove ironic that his first World Series appearance, in which he earned a "W," may be his last in a Red Sox uniform.

In postgame interviews he addressed questions of his return. He said he will do everything he can to stay. The team will get their chance. If it doesn't work out, Boston will always remain in his heart. He hoped he has earned the respect of the fans and players. He hoped that he represented the team to the best of his abilities. He basically said goodbye.

He used the questions and his performance as a bargaining tool with Red Sox management. In essence saying if the team can not come up with the money, he understands and he will leave with no hard feelings.

I truly feel Pedro would like to stay in Beantown. He loves this team. He loves Manny and Papi. If he should leave and head to New York, there will be hard feelings. Pedro will use the threat of pinstripes in order to get the best possible price. Face it, the Yankees have big pockets; the Red Sox are less inclined to pay huge dollars. Negotiations are sure to get ugly.

I hope it's not the end of the Pedro-Red Sox marriage. Like Nomar he has been an icon in Boston since his arrival. It's one thing to trade an All Star and icon to the Chicago Cubs, it's another to see one with the "Evil Empire."

I'm not too worried. Every fifth day for seven years, fans have flocked to Fenway, his house, for the chance to see Pedro mix his fastball, curve and change in a recipe for success. We need him; there is not a better pitcher available in free agency. After this outing, he should stick around.

The Chicago Sun Times' Jay Mariotti is a little distraught at the performance of the Cards. He believes the story of the 2004 Boston Red Sox should have happened to the Cubs.

Will anyone give Boston some credit? The media blame the failures of the Cardinals' lineup as opposed to the abilities of the Sox pitching staff. They blame the Cards' lackluster pitching as opposed to the Sox powerful bats. Give me a break. The 2004 Boston Red Sox are a good, no great, team. Why don't the writers jot that down in their reporters' notebooks.

Tonight, the Sox face their biggest challenge of the series. Sinkerballer Derek Lowe will be on the mound. He pitched great against the Yankees. His start means a lot of groundballs, which also means work for the infielders - Ortiz included.

Could tonight be the night? The stage is set; the planets aligned, and with the Celtics (1957), Bruins (1970) and Patriots (2002) all winning championships against St. Louis teams, it sure looks possible.

Kevin Hench of Foxsports ponders what he would sacrifice for a championship.

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