So Cleveland is up 2-1 on the Red Sox.

Time for Game 4, a battle of the soft-throwers: Boston knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield and the crafty Paul Byrd.

"This may be the slowest throwing right-handed match-up of all time in the post-season," Byrd said.

While Wakefield has to have his pitch dancing, Byrd is effective when he works both sides of the plate, throwing strikes.

Byrd gives up fewer walks than anyone. The patient Boston batters may have to be ready to swing. And, against Byrd, they could tee off ... or they could be frustrated all night, like on Monday.

One interesting factor is that the Red Sox lineup will be weakened with the addition of catcher Doug Mirabelli. Byrd also has a personal catcher - former Sea Dogs catcher Kelly Shoppach - and he is batting over .300.

"I told (Wakefield) that if he'll bring his personal catcher, I'll bring mine, and we'll do a little battle," Byrd said.

Byrd, by the way, usually works the way he pitches - slowly. With an 8:20 start tonight, this one could go late.

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