World Series berth on line at AT&T Park as Red Sox, Giants nations clash

Last night on national television it was Ryan Dempster vs. Alex Rodriguez at Fenway Park.

Tonight on national television it was another drama-filled game with high intensity and great theater. It was Red Sox fans vs. Giants fans at AT&T Park.

Mind you Giants fans, with 227 consecutive sellouts now at AT&T Park, own their ballpark like the inner half of the plate. Let’s just say Red Sox fans came in high and tight and packed the place.

Then the Giants threw a curveball.

In a classy move, the Giants produced a pre-game video tribute to honor Boston and the victims of the marathon bombings then their players showed off “B Strong” patches on their uniforms . Finally, after Boston Marathon spectators Amanda North and Aaron Hern threw out the ceremonial first pitches, Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” an eighth-inning tradition at Fenway Park, was played before the Giants took the field.

After that it was friendly competition. Imagine that.

Red Sox Nation hasn’t invaded AT&T Park since 2010 when Boston’s season crumbled under the weight of a foul tip that broke Dustin Pedroia’s  left foot and San Francisco’s season ended with its first World Series championship in 56 years. Prior to that, Boston’s last visit to San Francisco peaked when Pedro Martinez grounded out with the bases loaded against Noah Lowry with both teams’ fans on their feet and yelling at the top of their lungs. That was on June 19, 2004, the year when the Red Sox went on to win their first World Series championship in 86 years.

In other words, each time the Red Sox and Giants have played in San Francisco, one of the teams has finished the season as World Champs. Hence, the stakes are high whenever these teams get together in the City by the Bay.

Here’s the kicker: The team that LOST the season series between the Red Sox and Giants in those interleague match-ups recovered to win the Fall Classic. 

So while Red Sox fans rejoiced a brilliantly pitched game by Jon Lester in Boston’s series-opening win last night, it was Giants fans ought to feel like winners.

Look out, Dodgers.