The Angels and Red Sox appear evenly matched offensively, with both teams featuring speed at the top of the lineup and patience and power from both sides of the plate throughout.
Their rotations are among the best and deepest in the game, each boasting four high-quality arms — John Lackey, Jered Weaver, Scott Kazmir and Joe Saunders for the Angels, and Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz and Daisuke Matsuzaka for Boston.
Both teams play sound defense, though the more athletic Angels have a slight edge in game-changing playmakers. But if there is one area in which the Red Sox hold a decided advantage in the AL division series, it’s in the bullpen.
Closer Jonathan Papelbon has a 1.85 ERA and 38 saves and has not given up a run in 25 innings. Throw in Daniel Bard, Billy Wagner, Hideki Okajima, Ramon Ramirez and Takashi Saito and the sum “is as deep a bullpen as any I’ve seen,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.
The Angels? The questions surrounding their bullpen begins at the top — is Brian Fuentes good enough? For a guy who led the major leagues with 48 saves, the left-hander seems to generate more criticism than praise.
Perhaps an equalizer for the Angels is Kevin Jepsen, whose fastball hits 96 mph consistently. The rookie right-hander, who also throws a cut fastball and curve, emerged as the team’s best reliever in the second half, with a 3.11 ERA, 38 strikeouts and 10 walks in 37 2/3 innings. But Jep-sen, along with Matt Palmer and Jason Bulger, has never pitched in the playoffs.
“Everyone at one point was inexperienced,” Jepsen said. “You’ve got to get experience at some point. We came through some rough times this year, and as a whole, we’re ready.”
Division series
Best of five; all games on TBS; * if necessary
DODGERS VS. ST. LOUIS
Today: St. Louis (Carpenter 17-4) at Los Angeles (Wolf 11-7), 7:37 p.m.
Thursday: St. Louis (Wainwright 19-8) at Los Angeles (Kershaw 8-8), 4:07 p.m.
Saturday: Los Angeles at St. Louis (Piñeiro 15-12), 4:07 p.m.
*Sunday: Los Angeles at St. Louis
*Tuesday, Oct. 13: St. Louis at Los Angeles
YANKEES VS. TWINS
Today: Minnesota (Duensing 5-2 or Blackburn 11-11) at New York (Sabathia 19-8), 4:07 p.m.
Friday: Minnesota at New York (Burnett 13-9), 4:07 p.m.
Sunday: New York (Pettitte 14-8) at Minnesota
*Monday: New York at Minnesota
*Wednesday, Oct. 14: Minnesota at New York
ANGELS VS. RED SOX
Thursday: Boston (Lester 15-8) at Los Angeles (Lackey 11-8), 7:37 p.m. p.m.
Friday: Boston (Beckett 17-6) at Los Angeles (Weaver 16-8), 7:37 p.m.
Sunday: Los Angeles (Kazmir 10-9) at Boston (Buchholz 7-4)
*Monday: Los Angeles (Saunders 16-7) at Boston (Lester 15-8)
*Wednesday, Oct. 14: Boston at Los Angeles
