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    Wednesday, October 1, 2008

    Red Sox v. Angels: Back to the Future

    It’s kind of like when the Detroit Pistons couldn’t get past the Boston Celtics back in the 80’s. It was a playoff rivalry that wasn’t much of a rivalry, because it was always so lopsided and the Celtics would always come out on top. That was, until the Pistons finally broke through the big green wall that was the Big Three in 1987 and made it over that hurdle.
    Champs Sports
    The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have been here before. In 2004, they were swept by the Boston Red Sox who eventually went on to win the World Series. In 2007, it was the same story. So what about 2008? Will it be a repeat? Will the Red Sox take three and be done or will the Angels being the best team in baseball slip past the Red Sox to win the ALDS?

    Time will only tell what will become of this East Coast v. West Coast rivalry that has developed quietly in the last couple of years. It’s certainly not Lakers v. Celtics or Red Sox v. Yankees, but it has developed into, at the very least, a far more intriguing series then any of the other first round match-ups for Major League Baseball this year. Does anyone really care what happens in the Brewers-Phillies tilt? I didn’t think so.

    The Red Sox may be without Josh Beckett for this entire series. Terry Francona is talking that he should be good to go for game 3, but really do we want that scenario to play out? Wouldn’t we rather get two in LA and not even have to throw Beckett at all in this series? Let’s keep him fresh to the end for the ALCS. I know, it’s basically a dream scenario, but one that I wouldn’t put out of reach.

    We’ve heard the injury stories before though. In 2004, it was Schilling who probably wouldn’t be able to go against the Yankees, he did. This time though, the injuries are piling up for the Red Sox. Beckett is hurt, Lowell is hurt, JD Drew is hurt, but they will all “play.”

    It always comes down to injuries right? When the Celtics were finally defeated by the Detroit Pistons, they were banged up. Bill Walton was no longer on the team. The big three were banged up and getting older. Danny Ainge and DJ were a step slower and the bench was not nearly as deep as the 1986 team. On the other hand, the Pistons were hitting their stride. Isaiah Thomas and Joe Dumars were hitting their prime and the front court for the Pistons was stronger, younger and healthier then that of the Celtics.

    While this series with the Red Sox and Angels is not a mirror image, certainly the injury situation is similar. It is a matter of health and the Angels are the healthier of the two teams, but if I were a betting man, I wouldn’t bet against Terry Francona, David Ortiz and the rest of the Red Sox in Soxtober.

    GO SOX!!

    adam@wickedpissadude.com

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    4 Comments:

    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Thank you for once again alerting our NESB Community to your article! Here is a little sample of our last Patriots Post,

    If you haven't noticed, there has not been much talk about the whipping the Pats took at the hands of the Miami Dolphins which is good. Put that game in the rear view mirror and move on. What are the Patriots not supposed to lose a game anymore? I know Pats fans have been spoiled but they are knowledgeable football fans and could not have become that arrogant. The Dolphins always give the Pats fits due to the familiarity of being in the same division and playing each other twice a year for about the last 40 some odd years.

    We all know things may have been different had Tom Terrific been in the lineup but he wasn't. Have you noticed that on the national scene the Patriots have almost become an afterthought with the NFL trying to promote its up and comers while the star studded Pats are crippled at QB without their field general and let's face it, the most popular Patriot in the teams history.

    We at NESB invite WPDR Members to Read More at:

    http://www.newenglandsportsblog.com/

    October 1, 2008 at 12:43 PM  
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    All I know is that beating LA (in any way, shape or form) just never gets old. It's almost as good as beating NY on my scale of who I enjoy beating more. Of course, beating the "other" LA (the one with manny being manny on it) would be even better. Here's hoping we get that matchup!

    October 2, 2008 at 9:18 AM  
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

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    October 2, 2008 at 1:18 PM  
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

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    October 2, 2008 at 1:19 PM  

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