In 2007, Papelbon threw 69 combined innings in the regular season and playoffs. This year, he is at 76.2 combined innings (7.1 in the postseason).

That refrain has been offered quite regularly by Papelbon dating to September, and so one must wonder whether his second straight seven-month season is taking a toll, and what kind of weapon (six outs? four? three?) he will be going forward.

The Sox, of course, may have the last laugh. There seems little question that Papelbon will be available in Game 3. The same can't necessarily be said of Wheeler, who last logged that many pitches in June 2006. The Rays are optimistic, but declined to say with certainty that Wheeler could pitch in Game 3.

"I would be surprised if he wasn't available," said Hickey, who also worked with Wheeler in Houston. "But I would also agree with what (Rays manager) Joe (Maddon) said, just wait until the emotion type of stuff goes away and then see where we are.

"I had seen him do it before in Houston where he would pitch two-plus innings, three-plus innings, parts of four innings, extra-inning games where it was do-or-die, winner-go-home type of a thing, and I told Joe he would be fine, and I knew he would be fine, and I've seen him also rebound from that well. I would anticipate that he would be able to pitch Monday."

The rest of the 'pen is mighty

It is almost amusing to reflect on the notion, popular in the middle of the season, that the bullpen would be the great weakness of the Red Sox. While Papelbon faces some fatigue, he and his fellow relievers have been brilliant.

The bullpen has allowed one run in 8.1 innings (1.08 ERA) in the ALCS, and five runs in 23.1 innings (1.93 ERA) overall this postseason.

"(The performance has been) very, very impressive," said Mike Timlin, who lost Game 2 after giving up the only relief run conceded by the Sox bullpen in the ALCS. "These guys have been throwing the ball really well. I seem to be the only blemish."

That said, the Rays bullpen has shown its own impressive ability to dominate the Sox. Tampa's relievers were 7-0 against the Sox during the regular season, and are now 1-0 in the postseason.

Suffice it to say that if a game gets to the bullpen, both teams seem to have the talents to match zeros and create more drama along the lines of what was seen in Game 2.