Red Sox v Rays: Top 5 Head-to-Head Match-ups

Just because these guys don't duke it out like Superman and Doomsday... doesn't mean we can't have a little fun breaking down the match-ups, right?

Starting off...

The Red Sox have the edge in experience, starting 4 pitchers with at least one postseason start under their belts... and a few with extremely good postseason numbers (Beckett and Lester). But the Rays' starting rotation includes 5 pitchers with 10+ wins and three of those guys have ERa's in the 3.50 area. The 1-2 punch of James Shields (160 Ks) and Scott Kazmir (166) pitched well in the ALDS and have thrived at home, combining to go 17-4 with a 2.75 ERA at the Trop. The key for the Red Sox will be the health and performance of Josh Beckett. He has been untouchable in the postseason, but labored through 5 innings in the ALDS, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits and 4 walks.

With Matsuzaka seemingly incapable of pitching through 6 innings and Beckett struggling, the Rays have the edge here, despite having never pitched in the postseason. Another key match-up will be Tim Wakefield vs Andy Sonnanstine... Game 4 could be a pivotal game for either team - Wake has postseason 6.63 ERA and "Sonny" blanked the Sox for 13 combined innings in September... not good.

AL Rookie of the Year Showdown

Longoria hit .272 with 27 homers and 85 RBI in 122 games and seemed to rejuvenate a struggling Rays lineup with his return from the DL in September. Longoria smacked two home runs in his first ever playoff game, but that was the extent of his damage against the Chi-Sox: 4-15 (.267), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 6 Ks ... Ellsbury finished the season at .280 thanks to a .340 September. For the second season in a row Ellsbury has kicked it into over drive when it matters most: In 2007 he batted .361 in September and .360 in the playoffs. So far this postseason, Jacoby is 6 for 18 (.33) with 3 doubles, 6 RBI and 6 stolen bases.

One could argue that whichever rookies leads their team to the World Series will likely win the AL Rookie of the Year Award...

Battle of the Bullpens

The Ray's middle relievers may be their biggest strength... and the Sox bullpen had Red Sox Nation nervous through most of the regular season. But Justin Masterson's emergence as a reliever seemed to stabilize the Boston bullpen. Okajima settled down, Manny Delcarmen found his groove and Masterson became the unofficial setup man for Papelbon. Masterson had a few scary moments against the Angels, but over all this group is solid... problem is, the Ray's bullpen may be even better ... Grant Balfour has been a machine for the Rays, posting a 1.54 ERA during the regular season while fanning a staggering 82 batters in 58.1 innings of work. In three playoff appearances, he's allowed juts 2 hits while striking out 4 in 3.1 innings. JP Howell has been ever better, fanning 6 in 4.1 innings of work and matching Balfour's 0.00 ERA. And Chad Bradford and Dan Wheeler have been solid while bringing some experience to a young squad.

In a series that promises to be well pitched and extremely intense, the success or failure of the bullpens could determine the outcome.

Speed Kills

In the past, the Red Sox have struggled on the "fake stuff" due to a lack of speed, but Tito says that's a thing of the past:

"I used to think it was fairly obvious when we were slower," Francona said. "When we'd get on turf, teams that could run and we couldn't, we were at a disadvantage at times. I don't feel that way anymore. We're built differently. But our record is not that good. I'm hopeful that that's going to change."

Both teams have three guys with 20+ swipes: Rays - Jason Bartlett (20), Carl Crawford (25 in 109 games) and BJ Upton (44) ... Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia (20), Coco Crisp (20) in 118 games, and Jacoby Ellsbury (50).

Home Sweet Home

The Rays were 57-24 at The Trop this season... the Red Sox were 56-25 at Fenway. And as if that wasn't already too close to call, the Rays went 40-41 on the road, while the Sox went 39-42. Tampa Bay won the season series 10-8 and will host Game 6 and 7 if it goes that far... that's why Games 3, and 5 will be crucial to the Red Sox.



Bonus Match-up: David Ortiz vs Carlos Pena. Both of these guys represent the power on their respective teams. We could see more than a few catwalk shots from these two before all is said and done... nothing rallies the troops like the long ball.

Bottom Line: The Red Sox went 1-8 at Tropican Field and 7-17 in domes this year... we do not want to play any more games there than we have to.