BOSTON -- The Red Sox have the Rays right where they want them.

Or not.

If that were actually the case, we wouldn't be talking about yet another come-from-behind attempt by Boston in October.

The Rays lead the Red Sox, three games to one, in the American League Championship Series and are one game away from erasing any chances of defending their World Series championship.

The Red Sox, however, have been in this situation many times in recent years and may just have the experience and ability to pull off another stunning comeback -- maybe.

This is the 16th time that a club has held a 3-1 advantage since the best-of-seven ALCS began in 1985. The club with the lead went on to win the series on 12 of the 15 previous occasions. The other three times, the Boston Red Sox came back to win the series.

Boston beat the California Angels in 1986, the Yankees in 2004 and the Indians in 2007.

"It definitely doesn't hurt," said Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp, referring to the club's experience of playing from behind. "You take what you can from that and use it to your advantage -- mentally. We just need to come out and have fun, play the game we know how to play and keep those guys quiet from an offensive standpoint. Being veterans, I think we're able to have that short-term memory."

This year seems different.

The Rays are just young enough, cocky enough and talented enough not to let a monumental collapse occur. The Red Sox know they have another uphill battle.

"It's very deflating, frustrating, or whatever word you want to use," said Red Sox catcher Kevin Cash. "We've got to regroup. We need our starters to come up big for us the next couple of ballgames. The off-day [Wednesday] is going to help and I'm sure guys will come in and get their workouts in. We'll come in positive on Thursday.

"Everybody in here still believes we're going to go out and win Game 5, and so on," added Cash. "You have to take the attitude that our next game is Thursday, and then we'll go from there."

jmcdonal@projo.com