Red Sox - Angels Preview

The Red Sox and Angels open their A.L.D.S. on Wednesday night. The Angels will enter the series as the favorite, based on their 100-win regular season and their 8-1 regular season record against the Red Sox. The Angels will also benefit from the injuries to Red Sox stars Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, and J.D. Drew. To see who has the real advantage, here is a breakdown, by position, of both teams. CATCHER Jason Varitek and Kevin Cash v. Jeff Mathis and Mike Napoli Varitek and Cash are almost automatic outs when their turn to bat comes around but the value of 'Tek (and to a lesser extent, Cash) is in what they provide behind the plate. Varitek is one of the best defensive catchers and game callers in baseball and Cash does a good job handling Tim Wakefield's knuckleball. Mathis and Napoli do a very good job handling the Angels pitching staff and Napoli produces at the plate as well (.273 BA, 20 HR). Advantage: Angels FIRST BASE Sean Casey v. Mark Teixeira This should be a showdown between Kevin Youkilis and Teixeira but with Mike Lowell most likely out of this series (and maybe the entire playoffs) with his hip injury, Youk will be moved to third base. Casey is a very good defensive first baseman and is a solid hitter but he does not replace Lowell's offense. Advantage: Angels SECOND BASE Dustin Pedroia v. Howie Kendrick With the health of Howie Kendrick a question, the Angels might have looked into playing Sean Rodriguez. Even with a healthy Kendrick, Pedroia gives the Red Sox the advantage. Advantage: Red Sox THIRD BASE Kevin Youkilis v. Chone Figgins Figgins is a perfect fit for the type of baseball Mike Scioscia likes to play. He gets on base (.367 OBP), runs the bases (34 SB), and plays good defense. However, Youkilis is an MVP candidate. Advantage: Red Sox SHORT STOP Jed Lowrie v. Erick Aybar Aybar, like his double play partner Kendrick, has battled injuries but he should be ready for the A.L.D.S. If not, Brandon Wood will take his spot. Lowrie has been a pleasant surprise for the Red Sox, in the field and at the plate (despite his late season swoon). Advantage: Even LEFT FIELD Jason Bay v. Garrett Anderson There was a time when I believed Anderson would be a perennial MVP contender. Injuries have robbed Anderson of his possible dominance but he still remains a threat (15 HR, 84 RBI). Bay has been a great addition to the Red Sox. He is no Manny Ramirez at the plate but he excels at all aspects of the game. Advantage: Red Sox CENTER FIELD Jacoby Ellsbury v. Torii Hunter Ellsbury has been very good at the plate in September (.340 BA) and is a future Gold Glove winner. Hunter is a Gold Glove winner in center and has been a great addition to the Angels lineup (21 HR). Advantage: Angels RIGHT FIELD J.D. Drew v. Gary Matthews The health of Drew's back is a major concern. If he is not healthy, Ellsbury will move to right field with Coco Crisp playing center or Mark Kotsay will play right field. The Red Sox need Drew to be healthy, especially with the expected loss of Lowell. Matthews is a solid player with a good bat but he is no Vlad Guerrero, who will probably DH in this series. Advantage: Red Sox DH David Ortiz v. Vlad Guerrero Big Papi's stats were down in 2008 due to injury but he flashed a lot of power in September and we know that he thrives in October. Guerrero is no longer an MVP candidate and his free swinging ways are often taken advantage of by good pitching in the playoffs. Advantage: Red Sox STARTING PITCHING Jon Lester/Daisuke Matsuzaka/Josh Beckett v. Jon Lackey/Ervin Santana/Joe Saunders With the news of Beckett's oblique strain, many are writing off the Red Sox. He should be ready to go in Game 3 in Boston but by then, the Red Sox could be down 0-2. Lester and Matsuzaka have been great this year but going against the Angels on the road will test their mettle. Lackey, Santana, and Saunders are all very good choices but I wonder why Scioscia chose the series format that allows a team to go with only three starters. The depth of the Angels rotation is better than that of the Red Sox and if I were an Angel fan, I would rather have Jon Garland or Jered Weaver face Tim Wakefield in a potential Game 4 in Boston than a Lester/Lackey rematch. Advantage: Red Sox (if Beckett starts Game 3) BULLPEN Jonathan Papelbon/Hidecki Okajima/Justin Masterson/Manny Delcarmen/Javier Lopez v. Francisco Rodriguez/Scott Shields/Kevin Jepsen/Darren Oliver/Jose Arredondo This will be an interesting matchup. K-Rod set the all-time saves record this season but Papelbon is no slouch himself. The Red Sox setup crew has been much improved since the club inserted Masterson into the bullpen. The Angels have decided to go with the rookie Jepsen over veteran Justin Speier, which could make or break the season. Advantage: Even BENCH Coco Crisp/Mark Kotsay/Kevin Cash/Alex Cora/Jeff Bailey v. Jeff Mathis, Kendry Morales, Brandon Wood, Robb Quinlan, Gary Matthews Jr. and Reggie Willits The Red Sox have an experienced, deep bench that gives Francona many options. Ditto for the Angels. Advantage: Even MANAGER Scioscia is considered the best manager in the game by many. Francona has won two World Series in the last four years and has yet to lose to Scioscia in the postseason. Advantage: Even The breakdown is a fairly even 6 - 3 - 4. The Red Sox are a little banged up but have the experience of winning the World Series in 2004 and 2007. The Angels are a very talented team but have not gotten over the hump since taking the Series in 2002. I'll go with my heart over my head. Red Sox in 4.