The Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox, both AL East teams, advanced to the ALCS by wrapping up their respecitive series on Monday. The Rays defeated the Chicago White Sox 6-2 in Chicago, winning the series three game to one. Later that night, the Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 3-2 to also win their series three games to one. Andy Sonnanstine, pitcher for the Rays, was effectiv, giving up 2 runs in 5 2/3 innings. Those two runs came off of home runs from Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye. The Rays were offensively better, however. B.J. Upton hit two home runs in his first two at-bats against Gavin Floyd to propel the Rays to the win. This is the Rays' first playoff appearance since they became a major league baseball team in the 1998 season. They advance and will play the Red Sox, starting on Friday. The Red Sox, who are the defending champions, dominated the Angels in this series like they have done in past series. In two previous playoff series between the two teams, the Red Sox swept the Angels in both. It almost happened again with the Red Sox taking the first two games in Los Angeles, but the Angels won Game 3 in Boston to extend the series. Both starting pitchers, John Lackey of the Angels, and John Lester of the Red Sox, pitched good. Rookie Jed Lowrie had the game winning hit in the bottom of the ninth, driving in Jason Bay. The Rays won 10 of 18 regualr season games against the Red Sox. I believe that both teams are good and the Rays will pull it out in seven games. What do you think? Who has better pitching? Who has better offense? Does experience play a factor?
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