Boston enters known territory

BOSTON – For once, the Boston Red Sox have history on their side.

Heading into today’s game against the White Sox at Fenway Park, the team that went 86 years between World Series titles is undaunted by Chicago’s 2-0 lead.

After all, these Red Sox overcame a 3-0 deficit against the New York Yankees to win the American League championship last year. They’re 8-1 in games in which they faced playoff elimination since 2003.

They also had the best home record in the majors this season.

“Every experience you have helps you,” Boston manager Terry Francona said Thursday. “If players or me or the coaches or somebody can pull something positive from that experience, good.”

The White Sox haven’t been World Series champions since 1917, the year before Boston won it – and they’re not about to get comfortable now.

“When your enemy’s down, you’ve got to keep your enemy down,” Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said. “You make some noise and you wake up the monster, you’re going to be in trouble.”

Freddy Garcia, who pitched much better on the road this season, will try to close out the series for the White Sox. Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield will try to prevent that.

The Red Sox fans are sure to be chanting “M-V-P! M-V-P!” when David Ortiz comes to bat. They’ll accept “Manny being Manny” whether the quirky Ramirez hits a homer or jogs to first base on a grounder.

Both sluggers will be back where they hit best – Ortiz lining doubles high off the left-field wall and Ramirez also going to the opposite field with homers over the low right-field fence.

Ortiz batted .322 at Fenway compared to .278 on the road.

Ramirez hit .307 at home and .280 on the road.