Red Sox Look for Third ALDS Victory Over Angels

In a year in which the American League East was Boston’s to lose, the Tampa Bay Rays snuck up to win the division and left the Red Sox in the wild-card spot. As the wild card, the Red Sox draw the AL-best Los Angeles Angels in the American League Division Series, which is set to get underway Oct. 1 in Anaheim. Another meeting with the Angels in the LDS may forecast greatness for the 2008 Red Sox. The Red Sox eliminated Los Angeles in the 2004 and 2007 ALDS, on their way to a World Series sweep in both seasons. This Angels team is unlike any the Red Sox have seen in the past. Right fielder Vladimir Guerrero isn’t the threat at the plate. John Lackey isn’t the only ace-worthy pitcher that will take the hill next week. But Boston isn’t the typical Red Sox team of old. Manny Ramirez is no longer manning left field. Jason Bay and Kevin Youkilis are the ones now providing protection to David Ortiz in the batting order. Let’s take a look at how the two powerhouses ... (link)