Two familiar division rivals meet in the ALDS in Boston.
The Red Sox took the season series from the Rays, winning 12 of the 19 games played between the two. The Sox have beaten the Rays in dominating fashion too, outscoring the Rays 71-57. Seems like a pretty one sided matchup on paper, but the Rays have always played the large market Sox tough, and no doubt this Series should be a long one.
Starting pitching wise, we may have ourselves a clear cut tie–Matt Moore, David Price, Chris Archer and Alex Cobb vs Jon Lester, John Lackey, Clay Buchholz and Jake Peavy is pretty even as they get. All these pitchers have very high highs, but aren’t immune to possibly folding in a spot.
Overall both teams have solid pitching, so the matchup will come down to two deciding factors offensive power and homefield. Let’s just come right out and say it, as far as home field advantage there’s no arguing the Red Sox have that down packed. The Trop in Tampa cannot compare to the mighty green monster which the Sox take advantage of all the time.
Offensively although the Sox have outscored the Rays by a lot over the course of the regular season, October is arrived and scoring hasn’t been as far and few between for the Rays come now as it seems to be from April to September. The Rays won’t overpower the Sox with power hitting, but they can play small ball with the best of them, and that’s what the Sox have been about all year.
What’s made this year’s Red Sox team so darn good is their versatility and their ability to string along runs. Frustrating batters like Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino and the always scrappy Dustin Pedroia are always going to be a constant on base threat. Tie that in with the big bat of David Ortiz and it could spell trouble for Tampa.
But for the Rays, this is a team that’s played essentially 2 elimination games and has a load of momentum whereas the Red Sox have been resting for almost a week. Plus, when in doubt Tampa’s pitching is usually always the more reliable when pressed–the Rays went 82-18 when they kept teams to 4 or less runs.
But at the end of the day, it’s an even pitching matchup with the Sox having the better home field, better clutch hitters and better overall team.
Prediction: Red Sox in 5