Boston Red Sox Playoffs 2011

Find BoSox Playoff Tickets 2009
Boston Red Sox Playoff Tickets


Pitching Matchups

I think the Angels have a slight advantage in terms of starting pitching. John Lackey has maintained an ERA under 3.00 since the All-Star break and has been solid against the Red Sox this season, while Scott Kazmir has been impressive since being acquired from the Rays last month. The steady and reliable Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders round out a good starting rotation.

For Boston, Josh Beckett is known as a playoff monster, but he's had his problems in the second half this season. Jon Lester is the most reliable Red Sox starter currently, having registered only one loss in the past two months. The burning question is what Boston can expect from Daisuke Matsuzaka, Clay Buchholz and Tim Wakefield.

As usual starting pitchers get most of the attention heading into the postseason, but this series may well be won or lost in the bullpen. Boston relievers rank seventh overall this year in bullpen ERA, while the Angels' closers are ranked a surprisingly poor 24th. Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon is much more dominant and reliable than the Angels' top gun Brian Fuentes.

Slight Edge: Los Angeles

Hitting Matchups

Both clubs have the potential to put up runs in bunches, though they go about it in different ways. The Angels have posted the highest team batting average in 2009 and all of the regulars are hitting an impressive .270 or better. Torii Hunter, Kendry Morales, Juan Rivera and Bobby Abreu all have over 80 RBI's. The Angels have also worked smart and aggressive base running into their game, ranking third in stolen bases.

The Red Sox rely more on the long ball, finishing 3rd in homers this season. Leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury led the majors in steals this year and, along with defending AL MVP Dustin Pedroia, sets the table for RBI men Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay and Victor Martinez. Perrenial power threat b> got off to an awful start this year, but he still registered 28 homers and 99 RBI's this season and usually comes alive during the playoffs.

Slight Edge: Boston

Other Factors

Although the Angels have played reasonably well against the Red Sox this season, they likely aren't thrilled to draw Boston again in the opening round. The Red Sox have eliminated Los Angeles from the playoffs three times in the past five years, including last season when the Angels boasted the league's best regular-season record.

Boston's players always seem to thrive under the postseason pressure, capturing two of the past five World Series, while Los Angeles has developed a reputation as a superior regular-season team that fails to perform in the playoffs. A prime example is Angels star outfielder Vlad Guerrero, who has a measley one RBI in his past seventeen playoff appearances.

Even though Los Angeles has home-field advantage, the Angels will probably be in trouble if they lose one of the first two games and need at least one victory in Fenway Park to extend the series. The pressure will again be clearly on the Angels to win at home and they unfortunately have not been able to rise to this challenge in recent memory

Prediction: Boston to win in five games

Find BoSox Playoff Tickets 2009
Boston Red Sox Playoff Tickets

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Boston Red Sox Playoff Schedule 2009

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AL Division Series Tickets: Los Angeles Angels at Boston Red Sox - Home Game #1 (Game #3) Fenway Park in Boston, MA
AL Division Series Tickets: Los Angeles Angels at Boston Red Sox - Home Game #2 (If Necessary - Game #4) Fenway Park in Boston, MA

AL Championship Series Tickets: TBD at Boston Red Sox - Home Game #1 (If Necessary) Fenway Park in Boston, MA
AL Championship Series Tickets: TBD at Boston Red Sox - Home Game #2 (If Necessary) Fenway Park in Boston, MA
AL Championship Series Tickets: TBD at Boston Red Sox Tickets - Home Game #3 (If Necessary) Fenway Park in Boston, MA

World Series Tickets: TBD at Boston Red Sox - Game 1 (If Necessary) Fenway Park in Boston, MA
World Series Tickets: TBD at Boston Red Sox - Game 2 (If Necessary) Fenway Park in Boston, MA
World Series Tickets: TBD at Boston Red Sox - Game 6 (If Necessary) Fenway Park in Boston, MA
World Series Tickets: TBD at Boston Red Sox - Game 7 (If Necessary) Fenway Park in Boston, MA