Top 5 Moments of the Sox v Angels series

Here are my top 5 moments from the ALDS series between the Red Sox and the Angels... we're Sox fans here at The Bottom Line, so don't expect to see Aybar's RBI single from Game 3 on the list.

Number 5

JD Drew's ninth inning homer in Game 2. We put four on the board in the first, but Dice-K and the bullpen let the Angles creep back into the game. With the score notched at 5 and the leagues best closers locking horns, the game looked destined for extra frames... but Big Papi stroked a double to lead off the 9th and visions of another K-Rod collapse started flashing before our eyes.

Enter JD Drew, he of the 4 at-bats since August 17th. Drew had already grabbed two hits in the game, but his third hit was a 2-run shot to center that seemed to instantly crush the hopes and prayers of Rally Monkeys everywhere.

K-Rod blew it again... and now the Red Sox seemed destined to sweep the Angles for a third straight time in the playoffs.

Number 4

Jason Bay's home run in Game 1. Beckett was hurt. Lester's road numbers were mediocre at best. And Lackey looked sharp out of the gate. But Jason Bay's rock shot put the pressure on the Halos and gave Lester and the bullpen the edge they needed to close things out. Oh and it was his first playoff game... ever... not too shabby.

That win put all the pressure on the Angels... they battled the entire series, but it was ours to lose from Bay's homer on out.





Number 3

Jon Lester's performance in the series. 14 innings, 0.00 ERA, 11 Ks and he retired every lead off man he faced. The Josh Beckett of 2007 is nowhere to be found (a scary though as we head into the ALCS) but Jon Lester took the reigns and kicked ass.

Remy said in the NESN post game show that he remembers Management saying that they had Lester ranked higher than Papelbon when he was in the minors... how's everyone feeling about that Santana deal now...???





Number 2

Jed Lowrie's RBI single to drive home Jason Bay in Game 4. Scott Shields was mowing us down like little leaguers, but Bay's double clearly annoyed him. Both Kotsay and Lowrie swung at the first pitch, so it's tough to tell if he was rattled, but who really cares. Lady Luck was smiling on us and crapping on the Halos... and John Lackey is pissed about it... talk about your sore losers!



Number 1

Tek's rundown of Reggie Willits in Game 4. You could argue that Lowrie's RBI single should be No. 1, but that would have merely tied the game if Tek wasn't able to tag Willit's out. As I said earlier - I challenge anyone to try and rundown Willits with 15 lbs of gear on after catching 9 innings of baseball in 45 degree weather.

Jason - You're .220 batting average is officially forgiven.




Bottom Line: That play summed up the series for the Angels. They took too many chances and it caught up with them.

And the "Also Good Award" goes to... Kevin Youkilis and Mark Kotsay for playing insanely good baseball at the corners. Youk gunning down Vladdy... Kotsay's two catches in Game 4... Youk's seamless transition from 1B to 3B in Game 4 ... shall I go on?

And Jonathan Papelbon's performance in the series. He gave up the game tying sac fly to Teixeria in Game 2, but he closed out the ninth and then came back and pitched his ass off in Game 3... striking out Matthews with two men on in the 11th was unbelievable.