John Anthony  

Ok, so call me bias. But I like to be honest, so I have to be here. I look at this upcoming ALCS as one which contains a lot of intrigue. You have what appears to be this young, unexpected Rays team ,which by all accounts have shown that they deserve to be in this series, playing against the veteran defending World Champion ballclub in the Boston Red Sox. Now don't get me wrong, I take what the Rays did all year as no joke. But when I take a look at it, I see no possible outcome but a Red Sox victory in 6 or 7, and heres why...

#1- I couldn't be any happier with the decision the Red Sox management have made with having Dice-K start game 1, and feature Josh Beckett as their starter for game 2. Now, there has been a lot of questions surrounding whether or not the Red Sox should start John Lester in game 1 on three days rest due to his performance in the ALDS, or the enire season for that matter.
Fact is, the sox don't need to. You have three potential Aces in Dice-K, Lester, and Beckett. You can say what you want about Dice- K being a shaky guy from time to time on the hill, but his record speaks for itsself.  Beckett had a rough outing in his game 3 start of the ALDS, but unless his oblique injury is getting worse, I expect to see 7 to 8 strong innings of Beckett in game 2. As for Lester, even starting him in game 3 you still leave open the opportunity to pitch him twice in the series, the second start would be game 7.. works for me.

#2- Experience. OK, OK. I have heard the arguments about how experience and all that junk is thrown out the window once the playoffs start, and in most cases I'll agree... but this isn't one of those cases. This is the Red Sox we are talking about here people. If there is one team that has a team that is filled with guys that have more experience whether its good or bad its this team. They have litterally been there, done that, and that's not taking anything away from the Rays.
The Rays have one of the youngest most talented rosters possibly in the MLB. Speed, power, and pitchitching, they have it all. But come on, its the Red Sox, and its the post season. I'll take the Sox.

#3- Terry Francona, enough said. Listen, I'll give all the credit to John Maddon for what he has done with the Rays ballclub over just the past one year. But in terms of overall managing, in a big game, with the poise and experience to handle it, I'm going with my boy Tido.
This guy is already going down as the greatest manager in Red Sox history, and if he wins it again, one of the best EVER... if he is not already. Terry Francona is a big game manager, he coaches in Boston. The bright lights of a big game don't phase him, every game is a big game here. The strings he pulls, the things he does managing a game sometimes are just flawless. I don't see any situation where you can put the managing matchup in favor of the Rays for this series.

#4-, Lastly, and why not... Fenway Park.

Are you kidding me? I had to go there. Fenway Park, already one of the most historical and recognized stadiums in the country, the fans have a lot to do with it. Now granted, the Rays played unbelievable at home this season (best in the leauge), but you can't in any way compare Tropicana Feild to Fenway and the faithful.

It's clear cut, its decisive, there isn't much to debate. You can call me a homer, and I won't say you're wrong.. but the facts are the facts, and this is what the Red Sox do in October. Bring home another one Sox!!


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