The news is out -- the Boston Red Sox postseason savior (the real ?Daddy?) is down and out.  The man who set out to put a dagger in those pinstriped vampires is on the shelf.  Time to panic?

Fear not Red Sox fans. Divine intervention says this has to be a dramatic series.  ESPN Classic has the reels rolling, and it?s not because they?re hoping for a Ben Affleck appearance.

The greatest rivalry in sports cannot disappoint, so rule out a sweep.  Look for this series to take the full course.  Call it magic, call it storybook, but don?t call it ordinary.  This phenomenon is supernatural.

No, this isn?t David Blaine frozen in a chunk of ice for days on end, even though Johnny Damon looks like he came from a Stone Age deep freeze.  Rather it?s a guarantee; the New York Yankees and Red Sox always provide postseason dramatics.  It?s in the nature of the teams. 

With a script that makes ?Titanic? look like ?Gilligan?s Island?, the rivalry seems destined to be played out in Hollywood.  It contains all the necessary parts: a plot, a climax, and more importantly a general theme.  To the dismay of Sox fans, the resolution has yet to be favorable.  Anyone got Speilberg?s cell number? 

Just don?t let the screenplay fall into Quentin Tarantino?s hands; this isn?t exactly ?Kill Bill 3.?

So why the worry in Red Sox Nation about a 0-2 start from their hometown boys?  They fly back home, get back to their beloved Fenway Park, and get to play with that big green wall in left field.  The bats will be completely dusted off, and rest assure, fans won?t be seeing any perfect game/no hit bids going into the latter half of the game.  This team knows how to hit in the house that Ted Williams built. 

The explanation behind the outstanding outings from Mike Mussina and Jon Lieber is simple.  The caveman (Johnny Damon) had trouble with his club.  Apparently he was spending so much time in his primitive dwellings that he momentarily forgot how it?s used.  But worry not; the sketches on the cave walls will serve as a reminder to Damon.

Acting as the leadoff hitter, Damon was the spark in the Red Sox engine all season.  It was an unusual site for Sox hitters to not seem him on base during the first two games of the series.  Mark Bellhorn looked lost at the plate without his longhaired friend standing pat on one of the white squares.  Although his facial expression was the same as always, Manny Ramirez was rumored to be sending out ?Missing? flyers before he stepped into the box.  David Ortiz held open his arms, but no one came running into them for a colossal bear hug at home plate.  It seemed like it was time to call in the New York City Police Department for a full out search and rescue. 

Judging from past experiences, and taking into the aura of Sox vs. Yankees, Damon is passed due to make an appearance.  It wouldn?t be poetic if he didn?t play hero in the next two games at Fenway. 

Rather, it would be (deep breath) mundane.  And this series can?t be plain and average.  This isn?t Tampa Bay vs. Toronto.  It?s the battle of the titans, the two best, most competitive teams year in and year out.  This is just the part in the movie where the viewer thinks the Sox are down and out, but surprise, Damon and company surge forward in a heroic fashion.

Typical rivalries don?t involve coaches being thrown to the ground.  Typical rivalries don?t give players an expletive for a middle name.  Typical rivalries don?t involve a team that has won 26 championships while the other team hasn?t tasted glory in 86 years. 

Starting to understand the dramatics?

So the search for a climax begins.  Will Pedro take the mound dressed in a baby outfit and throw a no-hitter?  Will Manny Ramirez scale the outfield walls to bring back a game winning base rounder and give his signature point?  Does Curt Schilling learn how to throw left-handed?  It?s difficult to say what could or couldn?t happen, but there is a guarantee that something will occur.

With the way the script has unfolded so far, Sox fans will be delighted to know that it?s their boys that will be taking the next steps to the climax.  A resolution awaits both these clubs at Game 7.  It?s getting closer to the time where the final chapter to the 2004 American League Championship series is finished. 

Get ready for a surprise ending. It always is.