2008 ALDS - Red Sox vs. Angels - Brief Thoughts

Jon Lester looks to prove his "Ace" status tomorrow night. (AP Photo)

Well, here we are on the eve of the 2008 playoffs, and there seems to be a lot of questions and uncertainties facing the 2008 Red Sox heading in. So lets take a brief look at what the Red Sox face coming into what's most likely going to be a very tough ALDS.

Also, just as an FYI, tomorrow SawxBlog will be teaming up with The Halo is Lit (A great Angels Blog) to break down the ALDS series, so be sure to check back in.

• The Josh Beckett Dilemma -The best part about having Josh Beckett on your team is the intangibles he brings to the table come playoff time. He's arguably the best big game pitcher of his generation, and losing him in Game's 1 & 2 of the ALDS hurts, especially when it's a best of five series. No way around it, not having him pitching in two games is not desired. Some may argue Lester may actually be better suited for this, however he still needs to prove himself as a Game 1 starter.
• What's up with Iron Mike Lowell & J.D. Drew & his Posse? - According to Terry Francona, all seemed good with their workout yesterday. However it seems like every sentence mentioned by anyone affiliated with the Red Sox on them is laden with trepidation. I'm hoping them missing the time they have has them healthy enough to be out there. Plain and simple, there's no tomorrow if we lose this series, and there's a whole off season to heal. We need BOTH to win the ALDS and beyond, period.
• Road Warriors - As silly as this may sound, I think that Game 1 tomorrow may be the most important game of the series. If Jon Lester and the Sox can pull it off that'd give us the opportunity to end this series in Fenway Park. Also don't forget that Dice-K is undefeated on the road this year, I'm just saying...
• What Season is it? - The Angels have owned the Red Sox in the regular season, there's no doubt about that. They lead the season series a gaudy 8-1 however the Red Sox also have some gaudy stats of their own that involve nine games. 9-0. That's the record of the Red Sox in their last nine games against the Angels in the playoffs, which is equally impressive. I wouldn't expect another sweep (for either team), but like I said, Game 1 is HUGE. If we win that you have a comfortable Dice-K in Game 2, THEN Beckett in Fenway for Game 3.

Taking a deep breath now, 10:00pm EST is way too far away to be getting this excited. Lets Go Sox!!!

Comments

[Kris]

dude. I am pumped for this game. josh will be drunk. I will be screaming my head off...

[Derek Hixon]

Tomorrow is way too far away right? It'll be a good time :-)

(i hope)

[Melissa]

All I got to say is GO RED SOX!!!!!

And I also agree with you about Lester, if he can pitch effectively tomorrow, that I think will set the bar for the Sox.

[anthony jace]

tough series,could go either way.game one sets tone !! GO SOX !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!