The regular season series doesn’t mean anything now that the playoffs are here.  Looking at the two teams on paper, the Red Sox have an edge in hitting and pitching.  The Angels have been successful in the intangible aspects of the game.  They have the ability to win close games with excellent situational hitting and by manufacturing runs through Mike Scioscia’s brand of small ball.  The Angels proved this season that they can get to 100 wins without Vladimir Guerrero hitting 30 homeruns or any pitcher winning 20 games.

But in this series, you have to like the Red Sox chances of winning while sending Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Josh Beckett out to the mound in a best of 5 series.  Jon Lester has pitched in the World Series! These young guys from Boston play in a packed house every night and they have all been to the post-season in the past.  This series will hinge on which team is sharper.  When someone tells you that you will be on National TV that night, there are a couple of things you can do: you can allow your nerves to control you or you can rise to the occasion.

The Red Sox have some health issues, but as a unit i think they have some guys heating up at the right time.  It’s a testament to Theo Epstein and the front office to see guys like Justin Masterson making an impact in the bullpen in time for the playoffs.  The Red Sox Hitters should have a good chance to come alive against the Angels pitching and the starting pitching should be good enought to keep the Sox in the game.

Prediction - Red Sox win in 5 games