[EmpireWF]

In a match-up that we witnessed eight years ago (in the ALDS), the Cleveland Indians will meet the Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series. The series begins Friday night in Boston.

The favorites will undoubtedly be the BoSox who will throw Cy Young contender Josh Beckett to the mound in game 1.

The Indians defeated the heavy favored Yankees in four games to advance. Is anyone willing to say they can beat Boston?

I certainly think Cleveland will put up a fight. They have some nice pitching, a great pen and speed and power. I think Cleveland will win in six games.

[Lefty Noob]

I hope you're right, Empire. I keep hearing doom and gloom for the Tribe, about how Boston's going to kick us around like a bunch of rented mules. Never mind the fact that at this point throught the playoffs, the Indians as a team have a better batting average, more runs, more home runs and a better slugging percentage than the BoSox. It's going to be a phenomenal series.

[legend]

Red Sox in five. I doubt that many of the games will come down to Borowski, but if you are a Cleveland fan you must shudder wehn you see him come in. Unlike New York's three-four hitters, Boston's welcome hitting in bug spots.

[bears9]

I will take the Sox in six they have a way better bullpen and starting pitching. That's how you win in the playoffs.

[EmpireWF]

Boston announced their starters through game three. Beckett, Schilling and Matsuzaka.

I'm looking forward to seeing Carmona pitch again. This should be a well pitched series.

[LSC9901]

What is the schedule at this point ?

[EmpireWF]

Game 1 Fri in Boston, 7pm
Game 2 Sat in Boston, 8pm
Game 3 Mon in Cleveland, 7pm
Game 4 Tue in Cleveland, 8pm
Game 5 Thursday in Cleveland, 8pm
Game 6 Saturday in Boston, TBD
Game 7 Sunday in Boston, TBD

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

Boston announced their starters through game three. Beckett, Schilling and Matsuzaka.

I'm looking forward to seeing Carmona pitch again. This should be a well pitched series.

Beckett vs. Sabathia - Edge: Red Sox
Schilling vs. Carmona - Edge: Indians
Matsuzaka vs. Westbrook - Edge: Red Sox

Hate to say it, but I like what the Red Sox are going here. By putting the weakest of the three top pitchers against the hottest hurler the Indians have right now, they're setting themselves up to be in good shape for Games 1 & 3. It's incredibly sound strategy in my opinion and could make this an uphill battle for the Indians.

[EmpireWF]

No to mention game 4 will most likely be Tim Wakefield vs. Paul Byrd.

I wonder if those bugs will return in the ALCS.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

No to mention game 4 will most likely be Tim Wakefield vs. Paul Byrd.

i think this has a lot to do with how the record is at game 4 ...... if Boston is up 3-0 or 2-1 imo you can throw Wakefield our there are hope for the best knowing Beckett will be able to come out fresh

if Boston is losing the series i think you have to send Beckett out there for game 4

[Lefty Noob]

I'm still in shellshock over what I saw last night, so I'll let the AP do the talking here: "The Cleveland Indians never got David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez out in the opener of the AL championship series. Not a single time. With offense like that, Josh Beckett didn't need another shutout. Beckett threw six innings of four-hit ball to outpitch C.C. Sabathia on Friday night, and Ortiz and Ramirez reached base all 10 times they came to the plate to lead the Boston Red Sox over the Indians 10-3."

MLB - Cleveland Indians/Boston Red Sox Recap Friday October 12, 2007 - Yahoo! Sports

[bears9]

The Sox will take both games in Bean Town but after that I think Cleveland it could get really interesting with Dicke-K and Wakefield for Boston. Great Baseball!!!!!

[EmpireWF]

Cleveland insured at least one series this post-season won't be a sweep. They won in Boston in 11 innings, 13-6. They scored 7 in the top of the 11th off of Eric Gagne and Jon Lester.

Now the series heads to Cleveland on Monday. This is a huge game now, Westbrook vs. Matsuzaka.

Wide open series.

[legend]

I for one did not think the Indians had that in them after what I saw in Game One and how most of Two went. Sizemore finally played up to his billing nad they made the plays they had too. Key to that game was a great double play started by Blake in the sixth inning. Gagne! When will he stop haunting Theo?

[Lefty Noob]

Huge days for Sizemore and Perralta, each of whom went 3-for-5, had a double and a homer and scored three runs. Tribe aren't dead yet!