A solid year from B.J. Upton, timely contributions from Carlos Pena, and an amazing Rookie of the Year campaign from Evan Longoria supplied the Rays with ample run support. Not to mention, the Rays are getting their sparkplug back in the form of Carl Crawford just at the right time.

A solid bullpen anchored by David Price, Dan Wheeler, Grant Balfour, J.P. Howell, Chad Bradford, and maybe Troy Percival give the Rays confidence in late-game situations.

The White Sox come into this series with a full head of steam, having won two must-win games to reach the ALDS. We’ve seen in recent years how valuable it can be for a team to come into the playoffs having won momentous games. That’s the main reason we can’t count out the White Sox in this series.

The South Siders combine a powerful lineup with a solid corps of starting pitchers. With Jim Thome, Ken Griffey Jr., Jermaine Dye, Nick Swisher, A.J. Pierzynski, Paul Konerko, and Orlando Cabrera, the White Sox aren’t lacking in experience.

On the season, the Sox outscored (+36 runs) and outslugged the Rays (+64 home runs), while hitting only three points higher (.263 to .260). The White Sox have a formidable foursome themselves in Mark Buehrle, Javier Vazquez, Gavin Floyd, and John Danks.

Their bullpen is also very solid, anchored by Bobby Jenks and Octavio Dotel.

I’m not sure you can make the argument that the Sox are hungrier than the Rays because they’ve got wily veterans that could very well be seeing their last shot at a World Series, but you can certainly say they’ve got experience on their side.

Manager Ozzie Guillen has been there before, and won, while Rays’ manager Joe Maddon will experience his first taste of postseason baseball as the main man in charge.

Let’s give credit where credit is due: Maddon has managed this team terrifically all year, and there’s no reason to think that that would change now. I’d love to see Griffey advance and win, because everyone can agree he deserves it, but I don’t think it’s the White Sox's year.

Tampa Bay will ride the coattails of their young stud starters, swipe a few bags, and continue to use the clutch, timely hitting that helped get them here. Price could play a huge roll in this series, coming into late-inning situations to face lefties Thome, Griffey, Swisher, and Pierzynski.

Let's not forget Tampa Bay owns the American League’s best home record, 57-24. The Rays take the first two at home, and eventually win on the road.

Prediction: Rays in four

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

10/1 - Boston at LA Angels - 10:00 PM
10/3 - Boston at LA Angels - 9:30 PM
10/5 - LA Angels at Boston - TBD
10/6 - LA Angels at Boston - TBD
10/8 - Boston at LA Angels – TBD

The two powerhouse American League rivals find themselves squaring off against each other for the third time in five years (2004, 2007). Since 1986, the Red Sox have won nine-straight playoff games against the Angels (stat courtesy of Angels Community Leader, Scott Fowler).

They’ve shared tremendous recent success against the Angels, but the Sox come into this series limping, and without a familiar face. This year, the Angels owned the Red Sox, winning eight of nine games.

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