Is history going to repeat itself? Can the button-down boys of '08 remember what happened last year, and four years ago? Is Kevin Millar available for an inspirational speech/booze luge?

The Red Sox find themselves in a familiar position - down 3-1 in the ALCS. But we'd be lying if we didn't admit that this feels different. After shellacking Tim Wakefield and company last night, it's pretty obvious that Tampa Bay's got "it". And the Red Sox don't. "It" is hitting - timely and often, pitching - not getting into 5-0 holes, and the joie de vivre that seems curiously absent from the home dugout.

(We don't have permission from the Commissioner, but the highlight film of last night starts here at about 1:30. Thanks, Adam, for showing us that.)

"You might see maybe three, four guys hot. But everybody there? It’s crazy," said David Ortiz of the Rays' lineup, after a reporter reminded him what a hot streak looked like. "We probably haven’t made them uncomfortable enough," said Mike Timlin, who has been punishing the Rays with strenuous trotting-around-the-bases exercise. In other words, says Steve Buckley, the Sox need to start brushing guys back. Hey, it worked on Matsui in '04. Is Dice the guy to do it?

Bill Belichick gave Matt Cassel as much a vote of confidence as he ever gives anyone, saying that he's not going to switch QBs just because the team got smacked around the other night in San Diego. ""Matt is our starting quarterback," was the official pronouncement.

The Celtics improved to 3-1 in the preseason, and got Kendrick Perkins back for some limited minutes. Leon Powe led the C's with 17 as they beat Cleveland, 90-86. If you're looking to get fired up for the Celtics (and with the current state of the Red Sox and the Patriots, we understand), Scoop Jackson profiles a man who's determined to repeat. And, no, it's not Scalabrine.