Bring on the Angels

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)





The Sox pulled out a nice 1-run victory Wednesday night, but at this point all that matters is getting ready for the playoffs.

With the Rays rolling the Orioles again, Tampa has all but locked up the division meaning the Sox will be the wild card and will travel to Anaheim to open the playoffs.

While this will be a tough series, it may work to the Red Sox' advantage. The team will be able to set up the rotation to have Josh Beckett and Jon Lester pitch games one and two in Anaheim.

Even though the Angels have the best record in the American League and an excellent pitching staff, you have to like the chances of Beckett and Lester getting at least one win and maybe two.

Then they would have Dice-K pitch game three in Fenway where he is practically unbeatable. If the series goes four or five games then Beckett and Lester would be back on the hill for those critical games.

Not a bad way to go into the playoffs.

The other aspect of this is that no matter who has the home field advantage, if the Sox get past the Angels they will be favored to win the ALCS against Tampa, Chicago or Minnesota. With the depth and experience this team has, they will be a tough matchup for anyone.

BOX SCORE: Red Sox 5, Indians 4

As for Wednesday's game, the offense struggled after putting up 4 in the 1st, but Jeff Bailey had a huge pinch-hit triple and scored the winning run on Mark Kotsay's double in the 8th.

J.D. Drew started in right for the first time in more than a month. He looked a little rusty, but did get a hit. It was good to just see him out there. Now if Mike Lowell can come back it will be a huge boost to the lineup.

The good thing about all the injuries is a lot of guys got a chance to play and if they're needed in the playoffs they'll be ready to go.