The "it'' factor

David S. Glasier
DGlasier@News-Herald.com
Indians closer Joe Borowski isn't quite sure when "it'' happened.
"It,'' Borowski explained after the Tribe's 4-2 victory Monday over Boston in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series, being the moment he and his teammates bought into the notion they were serious World Series contenders and not just pretenders.
"It was when we started to believe we belonged here and were here for a reason,'' Borowski said.
Probably, a combination of moments have carried the Indians to the brink of something big in this marathon of a season.
Maybe it was when the Indians shook off their August funk and stormed through September to claim their first AL Central title and playoff berth since 2001.
Maybe it was finishing the regular season with a 96-66 record, tied for tops in the big leagues with Boston.
Maybe it was when they powered past the bugs and the New York Yankees to win the AL Division Series in four games.
Maybe it was when, in the wee hours Sunday morning, they hung a 7-spot on the Red Sox in the top of the 11th inning to win Game 2 at Fenway Park.
Borowski said he's less concerned with pinpointing "it' than enjoying "it'' to the fullest.
Consider the reaction in the Indians bullpen Monday when starting pitcher and eventual winner Jake Westbrook used three inning-ending double plays to squelch promising Boston rallies.
"We're down there screaming and pumping our fists. It was great,'' Borowski said.
To be sure, the Indians have a lock on nothing right now beyond carrying a one-game lead into Game 4 tonight at Jacobs Field. This series could still turn Boston's way in a heartbeat.
But the more you watch Borowski and his teammates go about their business, the more they seem possessed of the "it'' that extends a season deep into October.