The Red Sox have slated Jon Lester to pitch ahead of Josh Beckett for the opener of the American League Division Series in California on Thursday. The media has made an issue about the decision to put this year’s best pitcher on the staff (Lester) ahead of the pitcher with the excellent post-season track record (Beckett). It doesn’t matter which order you put those two guys in because the Red Sox plan to use Lester and Beckett twice each if the series is stretched to five games. If Lester starts the series, Beckett is in line to pitch in the 5th and deciding game of the series.

The Red Sox pitching matches up well against the Angels in this series as the Red Sox have faced the Angles starters many times in both regular and postseason play (it must be noted that Kazmir has pitched very well since being traded from Tampa Bay). Where the Angels can make life difficult for the Red Sox is on the base paths. Their lineup is loaded with contact hitters and smart and fast baserunners and I expect Mike Scioscia to be aggressive this series.

It will be a competitive series that I think will go the full five games. Hopefully, the Red Sox come out on top.