This is now a series about momentum: And the Red Sox have it.

There is no way the Indians would trade places and be down in the series. However, the fact Cleveland needs only one win in the next two at Fenway does not take Big Mo away from Boston.

The blows against the Indians on Thursday in the 7-1 loss were many.

They lost at home before a crowd and in a city that was ready to dance the night away.

They lost with their ace on the mound, for the second time in the series.

They lost while watching Josh Beckett rag on their hero, the mayor, Kenny Lofton. They lost watching Manny being Manny, even if once again his being Manny was a disgrace to the game and narcissistic to the nth degree.

They lost in a game that resurrected the stories of 2004 and the comeback by the Sox against the Yankees when they were down 3-0 and no team had ever made such a comeback.

The Indians will be reminded of that series at every turn, on every station, and in every newspaper.

They lost in a game where a win would have left them in their own beds, preparing for the World Series on their home field and celebrating in their hometown.

Instead, they got on a plane, headed to a city they dread playing in, to play on a field that gives the Sox an even greater home field advantage than the Jake gave the Indians.

The Indians are without joy on this day. They have the lead in the series and they are worried. That does not mean they will not win the series. The circumstances do mean the battle is now uphill.

Momentum is a funny fellow, difficult to predict and more difficult to hang on to.

Every twist and turn in tonight’s game is vital in directing Big Mo.

An early start at the plate for the Indians and they will believe again. A good start for Curt Schilling and the star will have returned to his stage and the memories of 2004 will loom in every nook and cranny of Fenway.

An early offense for the Sox against the Tribe’s second best starter, Fausto Carmona, and Big Mo will be bearing down on the Indians’ shoulders.

A lot of ground balls for outs off Red Sox bats will mean Carmona is on and the Indians will dare to believe again.

The Indians had their best chance on Thursday to move on to the World Series. They know that and they know they not only did not get it done, they opened the door wide for Boston.

Meanwhile, the Rockies wait and wilt. They are a very good team with exciting players.

It is a shame when the World Series does not afford the teams involved the chance to be at their best. Eight days off for the Rockies is unconscionable.

Follow the dollars, in this case, TV dollars. It is not a pretty trail, with devastatingly long and late games that supposedly are scheduled for a prime-time audience. Where is that audience? In Hawaii?

Old Town native Gary Thorne is an ESPN and ABC sportscaster.