The Hiller Instinct: Hiller Instinct: Democratic Governor's Race teams

"You know the Red Sox were in first place in the summer, and now it looks like they won't be playing in October. You feel any link with that," Hiller asked.

"I expect to be playing in November," Reilly said.

Is it possible? Well, flash back to 1967. When the odds against the Red Sox were 100 to one. But, somehow, they won the pennant on the last day of the season.

"So you don't feel this is the Impossible Dream," Hiller asked.

"Absolutely not, absolutely not. I've been the underdog all my life," Reilly said.

Look at the New York Yankees and what do you see? The highest payroll in baseball, backed by a bottomless checkbook.

"I understand that. I do understand the connection," Chris Gabrieli said.

Even if you don't like them, and Chris Gabrieli doesn't, you can admire their commitment to winning, whatever the cost.

"If by comparing me to the Yankees, it means comparing me to people who have a proven record of success, then I'll go with that," Chris Gabrieli said. "I like results, absolutely."

From a New England Revolution televised game, "We are back from Foxboro getting set to kick it off…"

Hiller says to Deval Patrick, "You talk about changing the culture..."

"Yes," Patrick said.

"Is that a Revolution," Hiller asked.

"Oh yes, it will be," Patrick said.

Like the Revs, Deval Patrick is the new kid on the block, full of potential, but still without a title. And soccer is certainly not football as usual

"I see the connections you're making," ," Patrick said. "Yeah."

"Your goal is to score a goal Tuesday," Hiller said.

"Indeed, and we've got a very good team prepared to take those shots, let me tell ya," Patrick said.

World Cup or World Series, you have to keep your eye on the ball.

The key to Tuesday's political playoff will be which candidate gets his fans out, I mean voters.

And we'll be here watching, with team coverage. I'm Andy Hiller and that's my instinct.