If it's the American League playoffs, it must be the Boston Red Sox facing the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, For the past three seasons and the fifth time since 1986, these two franchises face off in October, with the latest battle commencing tonight at 9:30.
Really though, the history between these two clubs is a tad one-sided. Ever since game 6 of the ALCS in 1986, the Red Sox have lost one game to the Angels. Since Dave Henderson took Donnie Moore deep, heaven has not been on the Halos side.
In 2004 and 2007, the Angels were merely the first stepping-stone to a Sox World Series banner and the Olde Towne Team hopes that rings true again this year.
Even though the Angels hold a 5-4 edge against the Sox this year, regular season records have never mattered during the two teams' history. Frankly, the Red Sox have out-pitched, outrun, outhit and out-fielded their Los Angeles counterparts during every series.
This Angels ball club hopes to change that. They will throw out one of the most balanced lineups in the game. Great speed, good power, good plate discipline and great base running define this team.
They were 2nd in the AL in runs. They were 3rd in steals, on-base percentage and fielding percentage. This team can get on base and they know what to do when they get there. They don’t just have one or two great hitters that they lean on; all nine can cause some serious damage.
The one big weakness: the bullpen. Yes, their closer, Brian Fuentes, led the AL in saves with 48 but he was shaky at best. The Red Sox have beat him once already this year and the Angels fan cannot have much faith in a closer that walks a tightrope every time out.
The Red Sox come into this postseason after winning 95 games for the third year in a row. The offense has really found a new level since the trade deadline acquisition of C/1B Victor Martinez. Placing in the top five of all major hitting stats, this Sox offense is good, but not even close to the greats ones of years past. No, the Sox team's bread and butter is its arms.
The one-two punch Of Jon Lester and Josh Beckett can be the best in the business if both are on top of their game. Young Clay Buchholz has come into his own and Dice-K seems to have overcome the season-long shoulder weakness that left him on the DL for a good four months.
What makes this staff great is the pen. They can throw five guys at you who throw 95 or harder. With Saito, Ramirez, Wagner and Bard setting up the two stalwarts Okajima and Papelbon, the Sox and their fans can feel comfortable with a late inning lead.
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I’m not quite sure what it is, but the Red Sox seem to have some sorta whammy over their left coast foes. So until they figure out what it is, I've got to imagine history will repeat itself yet again.
