Who will win? Red Sox or Angels?

Vladimir Guerrero waits outside the batter's box. When he gets between the lines he doesn't wait as often.
What do the Angels need to win?
This isn't your typical Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim club. The free-swinging Vladimir Guerrero is no longer the main offensive force. That's Kendry Morales, the MVP candidate you never heard of. And steady Garrett Anderson has been replaced by steady Bobby Abreu. The difference: Abreu works walks.
So if this team is truly different and wants to exorcise it's Beantown demons it will need to continue its newly-found selective ways.
The Angels probably won't win the battle of the bullpen, but if their rotation can make it a push against Boston and the offense can get a lead early, they can survive.

Key player
Chone Figgins ability to get on base, use his speed and score a run could give the Angels a big-time advantage. If the Angels can get a lead and neutralize the Red Sox' strong bullpen, the Angels have a very good shot.

What do the Red Sox need to win?
The Boston Red Sox do not like playing on the road. They have a .481 winning percentage away from home. That's more than 200 points below their numbers at Fenway.
That could be trouble.
But the Red Sox, in the last five years, have been a team that's been able to overcome almost any obstacle, so we shouldn't doubt them.
They need to win at least one game on the road, if not two, to win this series.
The Southpaw can't stress this enough either: Get runs early, then trust the 'pen.

Key player
David Ortiz is going to have to carry a load for Boston. The Angels have strong, right-handeders who could neutralize Jason Bay and Dustin Pedroia, so any extra production from Ortiz will be needed.

Three reasons to watch this series

1. It's the Red Sox and Angels. They're going for their third World Series in the decade. The last team to do that and not be the New York Yankees was the Oakland Athletics. The Angels are another powerhouse for the decade. They've made the playoffs seven times.
   


2. Josh Becket. The guy is one of the best post season pitchers of all time. He's got a 2.14 ERA in the Division Series during his career.


3. Torii Hunter. Some of his luster has worn off since leaving Minnesota. We don't know why, maybe it was the injuries this year, but he's still one of the most likable players in the big leagues. He's pretty much the modern day Ernie Banks. And his defense is still breathtaking.

Season series
The Angels actually won this one, 5-4. However, everybody talks about how the Sawx dispatched the Halos in the playoffs three times this decade.

Magic Number
5.25 - John Lackey's career ERA against the Boston Red Sox. That's not good. And it's hard to overcome bad trends against Terry Francona's team because they exploit weaknesses wherever they can find them.

Prognosticator
The Southpaw has to admit it, he really doesn't know.
He doesn't see Josh Beckett losing. If any team can overcome losing to Josh Becket once it's the Angels. In a division series no team can afford to lose to one pitcher twice.
But the Red Sox might be too old at some positions.
And the Angels have several veterans - Bobby Abreu, Brian Fuentes and Torii Hunter - who might be hungry enough to get their first ring.
So toss a quarter. Heads is Angels, tails is Red Sox.
Very scientific.
Mr. Washington says, "Angels in five."