ALCS 2008 Preview: Red Sox vs Rays
October 9th 2008 06:10
2008 ALCS The Rivalry renewed
The surprise of the year Tampa Bay Rays have dropped the devil and are on their way to the promised land. They will play the Boston Red Sox Friday in their first ever Championship Series game. These two teams loath each other, and with a long history of brawls and bad blood how long will it take for things to get hot
Red Sox
Key Players: Dustin Pedroia/ Jon Lester
Pedroia, who many have considered for the MVP, only had ONE hit for the entire ALDS. During the regular season he hit .326, if he gets started the young arms for the Rays are going to have even more trouble. Lester has just been ligths out, and seems to be having the type of coming out party that Josh Beckett did with Florida in 2003. 22.2 scoreless innings for his last postseason starts, unreal.
Tampa Bay Rays
Key Players: B.J. Upton/ Grant Balfour
Balfour has been totally lights out this postseason and helped move the Rays from last in the major leagues for relief all the way to fifth. He pitches with a fire and intensity that match his 96 mile per hour heater. If he can be lock down at the end of the game , the Rays may need only one run to secure the series. Upton mashed against the White Sox but hit a wimpy .128 against the Sox during the regular season. If he continues to stroke like this, watch out World Series.
X-Factor: Boston's playoff swagger
Ever since they broke the curse in 2004, this team has taken on a completely different identity. They become a completely different beast when it boils down to you and them. Lester, Papi's clutch hitting, Schilling's sock, Varitek fighting A-Rod and Francona's excellent managing. Even without Manny they seem to overwhelm the Rays. Can youth overcome wisdom and experience??
Prediction
Boston in 7 games, 4-3. The Rays have been doubted but are now being followed closely as everyone's favorite underdog, a la Arizona in 2001 except younger. I think the Ray's are one year away and Boston's experience holds their trip to the World Series off a little longer.
The surprise of the year Tampa Bay Rays have dropped the devil and are on their way to the promised land. They will play the Boston Red Sox Friday in their first ever Championship Series game. These two teams loath each other, and with a long history of brawls and bad blood how long will it take for things to get hot
Red Sox
Key Players: Dustin Pedroia/ Jon Lester
Pedroia, who many have considered for the MVP, only had ONE hit for the entire ALDS. During the regular season he hit .326, if he gets started the young arms for the Rays are going to have even more trouble. Lester has just been ligths out, and seems to be having the type of coming out party that Josh Beckett did with Florida in 2003. 22.2 scoreless innings for his last postseason starts, unreal.
Tampa Bay Rays
Key Players: B.J. Upton/ Grant Balfour
Balfour has been totally lights out this postseason and helped move the Rays from last in the major leagues for relief all the way to fifth. He pitches with a fire and intensity that match his 96 mile per hour heater. If he can be lock down at the end of the game , the Rays may need only one run to secure the series. Upton mashed against the White Sox but hit a wimpy .128 against the Sox during the regular season. If he continues to stroke like this, watch out World Series.
X-Factor: Boston's playoff swagger
Ever since they broke the curse in 2004, this team has taken on a completely different identity. They become a completely different beast when it boils down to you and them. Lester, Papi's clutch hitting, Schilling's sock, Varitek fighting A-Rod and Francona's excellent managing. Even without Manny they seem to overwhelm the Rays. Can youth overcome wisdom and experience??
Prediction
Boston in 7 games, 4-3. The Rays have been doubted but are now being followed closely as everyone's favorite underdog, a la Arizona in 2001 except younger. I think the Ray's are one year away and Boston's experience holds their trip to the World Series off a little longer.
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