I've picked the Oakland Athletics the last couple of years to win it all, and it's been disappointing to see them fail to make it out of the division series. They've had to overcome more adversity this season, and I'm again going to predict this is the year the A's will reach the ALCS.
I know they've lost the decisive fifth game three consecutive years, but they're going to try to get it done before Game 5 this time.
Boston | Oakland | P. Martinez (R) | T. Hudson (R) | T. Wakefield (R) | B. Zito (L) | D. Lowe (R) | T. Lilly (L) |
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| | Starting Rotation: Oakland
With Pedro Martinez pitching twice in a five-game series, the Boston Red Sox have something in their favor. This guy doesn't lose games. But if the A's can beat him once, they are in good shape. Tim Hudson has been up and down in his playoff experience. Everybody's been on Barry Zito's back all year, but he's throwing the ball better now and can be a lights-out postseason pitcher. Ted Lilly has emerged for the A's in Mark Mulder's absence. |
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Boston | Oakland | B. Kim (R) | K. Foulke (R) | M. Timlin (R) | C. Bradford (R) | A. Embree (L) | R. Rincon (L) | S. Williamson (R) | J. Mecir (R) | S. Sauerbeck (L) | J. Halama (L) | J. Burkett (R) | R. Harden (R) |
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| | Bullpen: Oakland
The Red Sox bullpen has taken its hits this season. The A's haven't been very deep, but Keith Foulke has been solid. Throw in the possibility of somebody like Rich Harden – who has closer-caliber stuff – moving to the bullpen for this series, and Oakland has a clear edge here. Plus, after Pedro, the Red Sox starters aren't likely to go deep into games. |
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Boston | | Oakland | K. Millar | 1B | S. Hatteberg | T. Walker | 2B | M. Ellis | N. Garciaparra | SS | M. Tejada | B. Mueller | 3B | E. Chavez | J. Varitek | C | R. Hernandez |
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| | Infield: Even
The Red Sox don't have easy outs in their lineup, but Oakland doesn't play in a park conducive to run scoring. Nomar Garciaparra vs. Miguel Tejada is a toss-up, and although Bill Mueller led the AL in batting average, Eric Chavez could be the A's most prolific postseason position player. Both teams' catchers have had solid seasons. |
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Boston | | Oakland | M. Ramirez | LF | J. Guillen | J. Damon | CF | E. Byrnes | T. Nixon | RF | J. Dye | D. Ortiz | DH | E. Durazo |
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| | Outfield/DH: Boston
Landslide. Johnny Damon has the speed. Manny Ramirez, Trot Nixon and David Ortiz can all blast the ball, while Oakland needs Jose Guillen to deliver the power despite playing with a broken bone in his hand. Billy McMillon and Chris Singleton will also see action. |
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Boston | Oakland | G. Little | K. Macha |
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| | Manager: TBD
Neither manager gets an X yet. You manage differently in the postseason than you do in the regular season, and these two will have to figure it out once they get there. |
