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The Boston Red Sox are heading into post-season play hurting more than Michael Richards career, post that eventful night of racial slurs and profanity at Hollywood’s Laugh Factory.  Their staff ace Josh Beckett, holds a career 6-2 record in the post-season while boasting a 1.73 ERA, is bothered by an oblique injury that has pushed his start back to game three.  This a a huge blow to the Red Sox chances of getting past the Angles in the ALDS. Having Beckett pitch games 1 and 4 looks much better than pitching just one game in the series.  This also forces Daisuke Matsuzaka to make two starts in games 2 and 5, if the series goes that far.  Understandably the sox brass are saying that they have all the confidence in the world in Dice-K, whom they expect to preform well and go deep into games.  Even though hes 18-3 on the year, no way does Dice-K gives the Sox a psychological advantage that comes along when Josh Beckett starts.  The post-season dominance that sox fans have grown to expect from Beckett, can be compared with only Curt Schilling (11-2, 2.23 ERA) and John Smoltz (15-4, 2.65 ERA).  Almost unhittable at times, Beckett frustrates hitters and performs best during big games in October.  With all this said, the Sox will turn to Jon Lester to start game 1 in Anaheim.

The 2008 season was a great success for Lester, throwing a no hitter and posting a record of 16-6.  Beyond the numbers, Lester possesses everything you want in a post-season starter and the will to want the ball when the game is on the line.  He has recently been on record saying when Beckett’s time as the number one ace of the staff is over, its a spot he would love to obtain.  Lester is a tough young man who beat cancer and seems to finally fulfill the potential that scouts saw in him when drafted in the second round.  Lester has the perfect make up along the lines of Jack Morris, that can carry a team much needed of getting off to a great start in the ALDS.  Besides Mark Teixeira, the Angles have a free swinging line-up that fits perfectly into how both Lester and Dice-K pitch. 

The Sox line-up may receive a boost from JD Drew, who has been battling a herniated disk in his back.  This will provide the pop in the middle of the order that the Red Sox have been missing for the last few months.  Also Drew is very patient at the plate, which helps drives up opposing pitch counts, which is crucial in post-season play.  As for now, Mike Lowell is on the Sox post-season roster and looks to start in tonight’s game.  Lowell has been battling hip problems and has limited mobility at third base.  If Lowell cant play at any time during this series, look for Mark Kotsay to play first base and Youkilis move to third.

The Anaheim Angles have all the tools needed to make a strong post-season run and unlike years past, they can hit their way to a win if needed.  Their starting pitchers in this series all have sub 4.00 ERA’s and double digit wins.  John Lackey finally has shown he can be the number one starter that teams need to be successful in the playoffs.  Their bullpen is the best in the AL with all time single season saves leader K-Rod finishing games.  The 8th inning will be interesting in whether manager Mike Scocia turns to veteran Scott Shields or closer in waiting Jose Arredondo.  Arredondo looks very similar to K-Rod in 2002, when he took the league by storm dominating the post-season.  For the sox to steal this series from Anaheim, they must do three things.  Keep Chone Figgins off the base paths, get great starting pitching, and get to the Angles starters early.  The sox can not afford to make this series a battle of the bullpens, becuase they would have the same chance and a one legged man in an ass kicking contest.  Either way baseball fans should be happy it’s finally October.  Especially fans who woke up at 5 am to catch the season opener in Japan. Go sox!  

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