Sox vs. Sox

For the first time in history, we have an all-Sox contest in the playoffs. Boston vs. Chicago. The "go-go" White Sox started fast, slumped for a while, then rallied late to finish with the best record in the AL. The slugging Red Sox had their ups and downs, but were overall pretty steady, hanging in first or second all season. The ultimate disappointment was that they weren't able to shake off the Yankees, though the season-ending Boston victory did send the Yankees on the road for the ALDS. The Hardball Times has a fairly comprehensive preview of the Sox/Sox series. Their pick? Sox in five. Red Sox that is. I'm going to go one better and say Boston in four. I think that the Chicago pitching staff has been pretty lucky all year, and that their luck is going to run out. The Red Sox always pounded first-game starter Jose Contreras when he was with the Yankees, and I don't see any reason why that should change this afternoon. After getting a game up, the BoSox will be able to win the clincher in Boston, regardless of what happens in game 2. Then it's bring on the Angels!