Red Sox vs. Rays ALCS

The Red Sox against the Rays. This series is so tantalizing to watch, that it will be hard not to. The defending World Champions versus the best baseball story since the Miracle Mets. They played each other a total of 18 games. And if those games have any indication how this series will shape out, then expect 7 very tight games. The Rays won the series 10-8; with the home teams dominating respectively. The series will begin in Tropicana Field. It will be exciting, it will be loud, and a lot more.

Questions coming into this series:

How good is Jon Lester?
Lester


As of right now, he is the best pitcher the Red Sox have. And thats including Josh Beckett, who is one of the greatest postseason pitchers all-time. Its hard to fathom that Lester is only 24 years old. He has won the clinching game of the World Series, he has thrown a no-hitter, and he has started Game 1 of a playoff series. The last time someone was able to say that, it was 1908. Lester has had a great season and has played terrificly in his 1st two starts in the postseason. Lester hasn't lost at Fenway since April, but unfortunately the way the rotation is set up, L:ester won't start at Fenway in the ALCS. He is the best pitcher in this series. You don't have to remind the Rays: In 20 innings against Lester this year, they scored two runs.

When were the Rays 100% certain that they could beat the Red Sox, and win the AL East?
On September 9th, the Rays were currently on a 9 game losing streak and on the verge of giving the Red Sox first place against jonathan Papelbon. it was the bottom of the ninth and they were losing 4-3. So who do you want up there? The Rays' leadoff hitter in the ninth was pinch-hitter Dan Johnson, who was taking his first at-bat as a member of the Rays, and his first major league at-bat since April. Johnson was supposed to have started the game, but his plane to Boston was late and he didn't arrive until game time. But better late than never. He homered off Papelbon, and the Rays won it in the ninth on Dioner Navarro's double. As the Rays shook hands on the field after the win, Rays coach Don Zimmer jokingly said to Johnson, "I don't know who you are, but nice hitting.''

What is the current condition of Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell?
He was taken off the LDS roster before Game 4 because he was in so much pain from a hip strain. He's now ineligible to participate in the ALCS. Gil Velazquez, who was called up to the big leagues on Sept. 25, took Lowell's spot on the Red Sox's LDS roster. The Red Sox simply aren't the same team defensively with Kevin Youkilis at third and Mark Kotsay or Sean Casey at first. Lowell is one of the better postseason players in the game as well. And he hit three home runs against the Rays this year. Rays closer Troy Percival (back injury) is hoping to be added to the roster for the ALCS.

How good is Tampa Bay's defense?
Pena


With Lowell out, the Rays have the best defensive infield in the league. First Baseman, Carlos Pena is extraordinarily good. Okinori Iwamura has made a smooth transition from 3rd base to 2nd. "We knew he'd be great at second because he was so great at third,'' Pena said. "He is so acrobatic.'' Shortstop Jason Bartlett is the glue of this defense and his work with Iwamura during spring training cemented that. "There have been many times this year where a ball went up the middle, I thought, 'That's a hit,' then Jason had the ball and I had to run to the bag just to get there in time,'' Pena said. And finally, third baseman Evan Longoria has done his share and been suprisingly good, he will win some Gold Gloves before he is done. With the addition of Carl Crawford in left field, who is the best defensively at his position will add to this stacked defense.



Can the Rays finally click against the Red Sox pitching?
The Rays averaged only 3.7 runs per game in the 18 games against the Red Sox this year. Boston did a really good job on B.J. Upton, who went 5-for-39 (.128). Lester was dominant against the Rays, as were Boston's two primary left-handed relievers, Hideki Okajima and Javier Lopez, who did not allow a run in 15 1/3 innings. The two pitchers the Rays did hit hard were reliever Justin Masterson and starter Tim Wakefield, who combined for four losses and 19 runs allowed in 29 2/3 innings. The reluctant thing for the Rays is that they will possibly face Wakefield in Game 4. But is the Boston bullpen reliable enough these days? Even closer Jonathan Papelbon was not his dominant self the last week of the regular season and even in the postseason, but he was good enough to throw five scoreless innings. And he still has never allowed a run in 19 2/3 innings in his postseason career.

Conclusion: I can see this series going either way, I just feel that the Red Sox pitching will be the difference in the series. And finally the Rays inexperience will catch up to them, unfortunately. I expect Dustin Pedroia to bust out of his slump and make a significant contribution. And don't count out Upton, because he is starting to get hot.

Red Sox in 7.