Halos Take On Red Sox For 09 ALDS

The Boston Red Sox will be set up with their starting pitching for a 7 game series as they have two of the best pitchers around in Jon Lester and Josh Beckett.

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Lefty Jon Lester has overcome so much in his personal life with battling cancer that the pressure of the playoffs should be nothing for him.

He has pitched in big games before, and always gives his team a shot to stay in the game.

He is 25 years old, and has a career record of 42-16 keeping his ERA to 3.66.

J. Lester is coming off an excellent regular season winning 15 games, and giving Boston manager Terry Francona over 200 innings out of his arm.

Josh Beckett will be throwing a blistering fastball, but will it be enough to hold off the Angels devastating lineup.

If those two should get into any trouble they will be fine as they have a great closer in Jonathan Papelbon.

J. Papelbon had a 1.85 ERA this year with 38 saves, and always backs up his big mouth.

I always hear this man making uncalled for comments, but in the end he is almost always automatic in his role.

He has been very successful in a short time in the majors with a career 1.84 ERA, and 151 saves.

Boston has a lot of team depth as they provide a strong group of outfielders.

Jacoby Ellsbury has earned the starting job in center after being one of their most reliable players for three straight seasons now.

Jacoby gives them a lot of speed at the top of the lineup replacing former Red Sox hero Johnny Damon who is now on the rival New York Yankees.

J. Ellsbury plays his position really well, he reads the ball really well off the bat, and has a solid arm.

Then you look at their LF Jason Bay who had 36 HR this year with 119 RBI trying to match up with the numbers that Dodgers own Manny Ramirez put up his years in Boston.

J. Bay gives manager Terry Francona so many options as now he can let Kevin Youkilis play the infield more.

Now looking around the lineup there is some bats in their infield that will really provide a major threat.

Boston will have some big hitters that will add to the attack in the 2009 playoffs starting with big papi 1B\DH David Ortiz.

David's ability has gone down over the last couple of seasons as he hit .238 this year with 28 HR 99 RBI. It was not a common site for Red Sox fan's as they have watched their slugger battle many injuries.

D. Ortiz's bat will always keep a pitcher thinking which could cause him to have a Series to remember as he has before.

When a player of his reputation slumps the way he has it is a matter of time before you see them break out when the game is on the line.

No matter what happens with the rest of his career the fans of Boston owe him so much gratitude for their first two titles in over 80 years when he put the team on his back.

K. Youkilis is another bat that is hard to match up with, he has worked himself into one of the most productive players.

Look for him to play first in the ALDS as Boston will more likely DH David Ortiz.

Mike Lowell has been a huge part of the Championships in beantown since his arrival.

Former Marlin\Yankee Mike Lowell is one of the more clutch hitters you could find.

M. Lowell has dealt with some injuries as well as D. Ortiz, but looks to be going into the playoffs ready to start.

Then you have their 2B the 2007 AL rookie of the year along with winning the 2008 MVP award Dustin Pedroia.

The 5 foot 9 warrior batted .296 this year powering 15 homers driving in 72 runs swiping 20 stolen bases.

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Look out for this little maniac as he is at his best when he is on the big stage.

If you are a Red Sox fan don't get too ahead of yourself as the Boston pitching staff will have to shut down the Angels all stars.

It all would have to start with Vladimir Guerrero the man has over 407 career HR, and will only add onto that currently at the age of 34.

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Vlad will never get cheated with his swings, and is always a threat to any pitch from any pitcher.

V. Guerrero will need to be patient in this series especially when he will face Jon Lester game one.

The Los Angeles Angels have a 26 year old 1B Kendry Morales who has been everything they could have imagined giving them a .306 average with 34 HR and 108 RBI.

Kendry came through as he contributed in a big way to his teams playoff birth.

at 3B you have as much speed as anyone when you look at 31 year old Chone Figgins is no stranger to be a world series champion, and will look to repeat his glory this year.


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Chone is a free agent at the end of this season, and should be a valuable pick up for any team {hopefully the New York Yankees}.

You can never ignore former Yankee Bobby Abreu who had over 100 RBI in his first season in Los Angeles.

Bobby is a dangerous bat at any point of the game.

The Angels other main player would have to be Torii Hunter he bombed out 22 homers for the Halos in the 09 regular season bringing in 90 RBI.

This series should be close both teams look to have the players to win so it should be crazy to watch.

John Lackey will get the ball against Jon Lester, and will hope for nothing but the best facing a dominating hurler.