After having to wait three days in Anaheim for the playoffs to begin, the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will finally kick off their best-of-5 ALDS tonight at 9:37 p.m. The Red Sox will be looking to eliminate the Angels for the second straight season and the umpteenth time during this decade.
While we’ve been waiting around for the Red Sox 25-man roster for the ALDS, we know now one thing. Manny Delcarmen hasn’t healed enough to help the Red Sox out of the bullpen. Instead, skipper Terry Francona has decided to put Paul Byrd there. Francona is waiting until the last possible moment to announce his roster as he’s also awaiting the health status of Rocco Baldelli, who suffered a hip flexor injury in the final series of the regular season.
If Baldelli can’t go, both Brian Anderson and Joey Gaithright will be on the roster. Gaithright is a lock because of the speed he brings off the bench in a pinch-running situation.
It should be an interesting series as they always are when these two teams meet. The Angels took 5-of-9 from the Red Sox this season after going 8-1 last year. But as we’ve seen the past few years, when these two teams meet in the playoffs it’s a totally different animal.
Just like last year, Jon Lester and John Lackey will square off in Game 1. Lester allowed just an unearned run in picking up the win. Hopefully the trend will continue tonight.
I, for one, can’t wait until 9:37 p.m. tonight when the Red Sox will finally get underway in the 2009 MLB postseason.
How Victor Martinez Landed With the Red Sox [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]
The Player Who Helped Save the Red Sox Season [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Varitek Reflects on His Role [Full Count]
Paul Byrd, living the dream [Full Count]
For more slices of Boston Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and Providence Journal websites.
And if you must see what the enemy papers are saying you can check out the LA Times, Orange County Register and LA Daily News websites.
