Oct. 19 -- CHOWDAH OR GROUPER?

BY SCOTT LAUBER

So, the Red Sox staved off elimination again last night, evening the AL Championship Series and forcing a Game 7 tonight at the Trop Dome. And, like the other scribes who cover the Phillies, I'll be paying rapt attention, as I decide whether to pack short sleeves or sweaters and frantically search travel Web sites for the lowest, last-minute airfares to Boston and Tampa.

Will it be chowdah or grouper for the Phillies?

I'm betting on chowdah.

Over the past four years, the Red Sox have made improbable ALCS comebacks seem, well, routine. In 2004, they became the first team ever to win a best-of-seven series after trailing 3-0 when they beat the Yankees and advanced to the World Series (they swept the Cardinals). Last season, they trailed 3-1 in the ALCS before rallying to vanquish the Indians and set up a World Series showdown (they swept the red-hot Rockies). So, if Jon Lester pitches well for seven or eight innings before Jonathan Papelbon records the final out, I won't be the least bit surprised.

OK, would you prefer to see the Phils play the Sox or the Rays? Why?

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So, before the Sox and Rays duked it out last night, the Phillies held a two-hour workout, then played a six-inning simulated game at the Bank. Several players and staff members said it was "a workout with a purpose," which, I suppose, is what workouts should be, especially at this time of year.

The News Journal team was there, too, keeping our fingers in typing shape. And in The Paper today, you'll find a feature on the maturation of Carlos Ruiz, who has become the catcher of choice for Charlie Manuel and the Phillies' pitching staff. Within the jam-packed notebook, Manuel said he's looking for a few good men to be his designated hitter (it won't be Ryan Howard), but he has plenty of good men in a starting rotation that won't be altered. Plus, Brad Lidge laughs about being responsible for Boston/Tampa having home-field advantage in the World Series, and Tom Gordon has elbow surgery.

Charlie Manuel speaks emotionally about his mother's funeral and revealed this poignant detail: He placed a Phillies hat in her casket. Assistant GM Mike Arbuckle told me his dad is buried with a Phillies cap, too. Martin Frank writes about J.C. Romero, a Red Sox castoff who would like nothing more than to show Theo Epstein that he made a mistake, and Kevin Roberts writes about Chase Utley and how he developed his short, compact swing. There's always a breakout star in the playoffs, and this year, it seems like it may be Shane Victorino. And, finally, baseball can often be a distraction during tough times in life.