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With the Chicago White Sox’s thrilling 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night in the books, the field is set for the American League play-offs as they start on Wednesday.
In the first round, it will pit the American League East champion Tampa Bay Rays against the American League Central champion Chicago White Sox. In the other ALDS, it is the AL West champion Los Angeles Angels against the AL Wild Card and the defending champion Boston Red Sox.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox
The White Sox will have to turn around quickly and get ready to play to really good Tampa Bay team. Chicago has a formidable line-up with only two holes in the third outfield spot and third base. It is a line-up based on power and built around Paul Konerko and Jim Thome. To advance against Tampa Bay, the White Sox will need consistent production from the other guys to flesh out the attack and stave off prolonged slumps. Their starting staff doesn’t have a stopper like Milwaukee, but all of their starters will keep them in the game. The play of Javier Vazquez is the linchpin for the staff. If they can get leads to the ninth inning, Bobby Jenks is as good as anyone in the playoffs.
For Tampa Bay, it is all about whether their young players can continue to perform under the bright lights. The Rays will need B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria to take the next step in October and also have Carlos Pena contribute to create a three-headed attack. Getting Carl Crawford back will be a boost, but it is vastly important for this team to manufacture runs when they get guys on base. I think Scott Kazmir will be dominant and guys like James Shields will be able to keep games close. This leaves it up to a bullpen that has a shot of life in David Price, but is still unsettled with the absence of closer Troy Percival.
The reasons point to the Chicago White Sox, but I like the energy of the Tampa Bay Rays. They can change the momentum with their youth and their speed and the absence of a dominant starter for Chicago will be the difference.
Tampa Bay in five games
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels
This is the marquee match-up in the first round and features a budding rivalry between the two coasts. The Boston Red Sox are battling some injuries heading into the playoffs, but are still paced by playoff hero David Ortiz. It will be interesting to see how Jason Bay plays in his first playoff appearance and either way, it is very important for the whole line-up to produce to make up for Manny Ramirez. Starter Jon Lester is a bona fide star and even with the injury concerns for Josh Beckett, this rotation is still very talented and should be able to pitch deep into games. This will limit the strain on middle relief and get the ball to Jonathan Papelbon
The Angels have the most complete line-up in the American League. They have speed, power and good baseball smarts and have built a deep middle of the order in Tori Hunter, Mark Teixeira and Vladimir Guerrero. Their pitching staff has been very good this year, but they are all unproven on this stage, besides the work done by John Lackey as a rookie in 2002. If the starters can just keep Los Angeles in the game, the bullpen should be able to close the deal with Francisco Rodriguez at the end.
This is a tough one to pick, but I think the Angels are the most talented team in baseball and have the best manager. In the playoffs, especially in the five game series, it has a lot to do with luck and that has been on Boston’s side the last few years. Expect close, high scoring games and the Angels advancing to the ALCS.
Angels in four games
Who do you think will win? Email your picks to Douglas.Benton@realgm.com
