Red Sox/Indians: ALCS preview

Well, it's that time of year again. Two American League teams are battling for a spot in the World Series. The Red Sox were in first place from start to finish, pretty much. Meanwhile, the Indians haven't looked this good since the late 1990's. I thought it'd be interesting to take a look at the match-up, position by position, and make a fearless prediction.

Catcher: Boston's Jason Varitek (.255 batting average/17 Homer Runs/68 runs batted in) vs Cleveland's Victor Martinez (.301/25/114)

Varitek is not what he once was. Then again, is that really shocking? Sure, he keeps himself in tremendous shape, but catchers have a short shelf life. He's 35 now, and his production has declined recently. Still, 'Tek spolied Boston fans for a long time. Traditionally, catchers give teams little offensively, but Varitek has more than carried his fair share with the bat. Defensively, he's as good as they come. Put it this way: Curt Schilling let's him call the pitches. 'Nuff said. With Martinez, the Indians have one of the elite offensive catchers in baseball. Cleveland fans thought it would be a while before they saw someone to make them forget fan favorite Sandy Alomar. Now, Martinez looks like he has more great years ahead of him. However, Martinez has no postseason experience.

Advantage : Push

First Base: Boston's Kevin Youkillis (.288/16/83) vs Cleveland's Ryan Garko (.289/21/61)

Youk is the posterboy for Boston Red Sox baseball: he's patient at the plate, and can hit for power. And while he may not win the Gold Glove, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better defensive first baseman. Youk did not commit a sinlge error in 2006. As a bonus, he's versatile, as he can play third base. Garko is a hulk of a man. If he gets a hold of a pitch, it can go a long way. However, his on-base percentage is mediocre .359. He's a pull hitter, so if Sox pitching can stay outside on him, he shouldn't be able to do much damage.

Advantage: Boston

Second Base: Boston's Dustin Pedroia (.317/8/50) vs Cleveland's Josh Barfield (.243/3/50)

Pedroia has been a pleasant surprise for the Red Sox. People were calling for him to be benched or sent down to Pawtucket, but he responded by becoming one of the most consistent contributors on the team. While he does get ragged on for his mighty swing, the results are impressive. He may be named the AL Rookie of the Year. Barfield is a decent second baseman, but he made 17 errors this season, and doesn't offer much with the bat. You get the feeling Cleveland will look for a replacement sooner rather than later.

Advantage: Boston

Shortstop: Boston's Julio Lugo (.237/8/73) vs Cleveland's Jhonny Peralta (.270/21/72)

For the most part, Lugo was a major dissapointment in his first year in a Red Sox uniform. He signed a 4-year, $36 million contract, and the Boston fanbase was not exactly enthused over that transaction. His slow start didn't help, but 73 runs batted in is not too bad for someone at the top of the order. Also, he gives Boston a dimension they have sorely lacked throughout the majority of the past 100 years: speed. Lugo stole 33 bases, and was capable of igniting the Sox offense ... or killing a rally with a bad baserunning move. Peralta is one of the better offensive shortstops in baseball. He had been a #9 hitter for the tribe in the past, making his production even more impressive. Even though he's not in the bottom third of the lineup anymore, his production is still exceptional.

Advantage: Cleveland

Third Base: Mike Lowell (.324/21/120) vs Cleveland's Casey Blake (.270/18/78)

Lowell had a fantastic season for Boston. Criticized for tapering off in the second half of 2006, he maintained his performance level throughout the season. His prescence helped to make up for the decline of Manny Ramirez. While he did make 15 errors, Lowell's still as solid as they come at the hot corner. A class act all around, he's one of those guys who are easy to root for. He's come through with a big hit countless times this season. Blake is no slouch himself. Even though he was just 2 for 17 at the plate, Blake is a soild hitter, but he's not in Lowell's class.

Advantage: Boston

Outfield: Manny Ramirez (.296/20/88), Coco Crisp (.268/6/60) and JD Drew (.270/11/64) vs Kenny Lofton (.296/7/38), Grady Sizemore (.277/24/78), Frany Guitirez (.266/13/36)

Ramirez didn't match his typical numbers in part due to injuries. However, it was unsettling for members of Red Sox nation to watch Manny miss pitches he normall hit 430 feet. He looks like he found his groove in the series vs the Angels. Coco had a very nice season for Boston, and, like Lugo, gives the Red Sox an added dimension with his speed. He saves a lot of extra base hits with his speed and instincts in the outfield. Drew signed a 5-year, $70 million deal last winter, and it was a contract that was even more scrutinized than the one given to Lugo. Drew did not come close to matching expectations. He was just 2 for 11 vs the Angels. Boston will need him to step up if they are to advance. In Cleveland, Lofton has shown he still has some life in those 40-year old legs. He and Sabathia are the only two Indians to also appear in Cleveland's last postseason series (the 2001 AL Division Series vs Seattle). Lofton has a lot of postseason experience. Sizemore matched the hype this season, as he can do anything on a baseball field. In addition to his 24 homers, he swiped 33 bases, and plays a great centerfield. Guitirez? Well, it's either him or Trot Nixon in right field, but Nixon can't hit lefties.

Advantage: Boston

Designated Hitter: Boston's David Ortiz (.332/35/117) vs Cleveland's Travis Hafner (.266/24/100)

Ortiz almost seemed like he was going through the motions from April to August. He was producing with a high batting average, but his power numbers were done. Then, September rolled around, and Ortiz picked up the slack big-time, getting the clutch hits Boston fans are so accustomed to seeing. His great play has carried into the postseason. Hafner had a nice season, but his numbers have fallen from the last few seasons. Cleveland will need him to produce in big spots, which wasn't a problem at all for the Indians in the LDS against the Yankees.

Advantage: Boston

Starting Rotation: Josh Beckett, Curt Schilling, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield vs CC Sabathia, Fausto Carmona, Jake Westbrook and Paul Byrd

Beckett has been the ace the Red Sox thought they were getting when they dealt away Hanley Ramirez. It will either be him or Sabathia who takes the AL Cy Young Award home. In his brief postseason career, Beckett has been dominant. Schilling's playoff resume' speaks for itself. He's been able to re-invent himself, going from a power pitcher to one who relies more on control and smarts. Daisuke could very well be the X-factor to this series. He had an up-and-down rookie season, mostly down after the all-star break. His outing vs the Angels in Game 2 of the LDS didn't exactly inspire confidence. Wakefield had a solid season, but he's either hit or miss. If he's on, he can look like an ace. If he's off, he may not make it out of the 4th inning.

Sabathia has had the best season of his young career. As good as Beckett has been, Sabathia is better in a lot of categories. Carmona has had a brilliant season. He looked shattered as a closer last season (particularly in back-to-back outings vs Boston). This year, he provides one half of what is arguably the best 1-2 punch in baseball. Westbook needs to be around the strike zone to be effective. Byrd is another veteran junkballer.

Advantage: Push

Bullpen: For the majority of the season, Boston boasted the best bullpen in the American League. Still, Hideki Okajima showed signs of fatigue, although he looked spectacular vs the Angels. Trade deadline acquistion Eric Gagne doesn't put out any fires - he pours gasoline on them. Mike Timlin looked like he was washed-up, but now is showing his veteran determination. Manny Delcarmen may be on the verge of being a tremendous set-up man, and Javier Lopez is decent against lefties. Jon Lester will be the long reliever.

Cleveland closer Joe Borowski is erractic, yet effetive. He managed to save 45 games for the Tribe, but his 5.07 ERA can't be too re-assuring. Rafael Betancourt is a great set-up man. Aaron Fultz held lefties to a .191 batting average during the regular season. Cleveland's relief corps were great vs the Yankees, especially in Game 2, an 11-inning contest.

Advantage: Boston


Managers: Terry Francona vs Eric Wedge

Wedge has done a great job this year, but Francona has done the seemingly impossible. Boston fans - like most big city sports fans - will second-guess almost every decision a manager makes. He always seems to make the right call, and he uses all his players, keeping everyone fresh. Plus, he has a World Series title under his belt. Then again, Wedge and Franconca will be the first ones to admit that behind every great manager is a great ballclub.

Advantage: Boston

Prediction: This could be one of the better League Championship Series in some time. The Red Sox did post the best record in baseball, but this team has question marks. The bats can go ice cold at times, and Matsuzaka's performance has been erratic of late. Cleveland has a great 1-2 pitching punch with Sabathia and Carmona, and a pretty solid offense. They will need a solid outing from Westbrook and/or Byrd if they are to get to 4 wins before Boston. I just think Boston is clicking right now, and they have the depth to advance to the World Series.

Boston in 7 Games