Red Sox Insider: And so it begins

STATS  |  SCHEDULE  |  NEWS  |  ROSTER  |  BALLPARK  |  FAN FORUM  |  COMMUNITY  |  FANTASY MOBILE  |  SHOP  |  TICKETS  |  MULTIMEDIA October 7, 2009 Having trouble viewing this e-mail? View it online as a web page » Forward this e-mail » Sign up for your own » WATCH PARTIES Want to watch the ALDS games with other Red Sox fans in your area? Check out the RSN Governors' Events page!     Learn more »     RED SOX GIVE GAME 1 BALL TO LESTER Boston's quest to win a third World Series championship in the past six years literally starts with Lester, who has been chosen over October stalwart and team ace Josh Beckett to take the ball in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against Los Angeles. Read more » Red Sox-Angels ALDS breakdown » Sox won't rest on past success » Complete coverage of the ALDS » Martinez built -- and built for -- Boston run Think of the Red Sox of recent Octobers, and a slew of faces and images come to mind. It could be David Ortiz's walk-off swing or Jonathan Papelbon's clenched fist, or Dustin Pedroia's fire or Josh Beckett's sneer. Read more » ALDS SCHEDULE All games listed in ET. Full schedule » vs. Thurs., Oct. 8 at Angel Stadium 9:37 p.m. ET, TBS Lester vs. Lackey Fri., Oct. 9 at Angel Stadium 9:37 p.m. ET, TBS TBA vs. TBA Sun., Oct. 11 at Fenway Park TBD, TBS TBA vs. TBA Mon., Oct. 12 at Fenway Park* TBD, TBS Wed., Oct. 14 at Angel Stadium* TBD, TBS Listen to the postseason live with Gameday Audio » * Games 4 and 5 are if necessary. RED SOX VIDEO CENTRAL ALDS Preview Season Recap WATCH » WATCH » PLAYOFF ALERTS Stay informed throughout the playoffs! Customize your mobile alerts, including final scores, breaking news, home runs and more for only a $3.99 one-time charge. Text GET PLAYOFFS to 65246 to sign up today!     Learn more »     U.S. residents only. Standard text messaging & data rates may apply. Check with your carrier for details. THE VOICE OF THE NATION: LET'S JUST WIN 11! Wow... I know we should be focusing on winning our own games and all, but did anyone see that One-Game Playoff last night?! Congratulations to the Twins for a remarkable entrance into the playoffs. Now, as I sit in the Front Office today and think about our chances, I can't say I have a real good feel on it. I feel less than great about having to stay up so late on both Thursday and Friday (yes, I'm old like that), but c'est la playoff baseball. Anyhow, the Angels are a tough team to beat (as evidenced by the fact that our record against them this year is 4-5). With that said however, we have beat them two out of the last three times since acquiring Victor Martinez and Alex Gonzalez, and the Angles have yet to face Jon Lester since last season's ALDS, in which he shined. I know this seems like pretty simple logic, but I think if we can take at least one game in Anaheim, we could be in good shape. While the Angels have nearly the exact same record at home and away, we have a much better record at home (56-25) than we do on the road (39-42). Yes, you read that correctly: we actually have a losing record on the road this year. It's not surprising to me that our team thrives at home. Our players get to play in front of rabid, sell-out crowds for every home game. They feed off your passion and enthusiasm.     Continue reading »     POSTSEASON DRAWING This is the last week to register for the postseason random drawing. You only have until Friday at noon -- don't miss your chance to join us Fenway Park should we be so fortunate to return to the World Series.     Register now »

Put together the longest postseason winning streak and compete for a chance to win tickets to Opening Day 2010. Play now » Predict the outcome of this year's postseason bracket and compete for a chance to win $10,000 in cash. Play now » Put together the longest postseason hitting streak and compete for a chance to win tickets to the 2010 All-Star Game. Play now »

TALE OF THE TAPE   95-67 2009 Record 97-65 4-5 2009 Head to Head 5-4 Youkilis (.305) AVG. Aybar (.312) Bay (36) HRs Morales (34) Bay (119) RBIs Morales (108) Ellsbury (70) SBs Figgins (42) Beckett (17) WINS Weaver (16) Saunders (16) Papelbon (38) SAVES Fuentes (48) Lester (3.41) ERA Weaver (3.75) Lester (225) Ks Weaver (174) BOS Stats » BOS Roster » LAA Stats » LAA Roster » RED SOX PHOTOS Photo of the Week Check out the latest Red Sox Photo of the Week »     Commemorate the 2009 Postseason Create a unique photo memory using your own photos. Celebrate the Red Sox' 2009 Playoff appearance with a personalized collectible. Shop now »

POSTSEASON HISTORY Postseason Appearances: 20 Postseason Record: 79-69-1 Last Appearance: 2008 World Series Titles: 7 AVG: Jose Offerman (.429, 18-42) HR: David Ortiz (12) RBIs: David Ortiz (42) WINS: Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez (6) ERA: Babe Ruth (0.87) Ks: Pedro Martinez (80) Sox postseason results » Complete team history » TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE ABOUT THE ANGELS IN THE POSTSEASON 1. Vladimir Guerrero holds the team record for most grounded into double plays in a season 2. Had a pregame meal of pork chops and applesauce before each playoff game in 2002 3. Used the slogan "YES WE CAN" during their 1979 playoff season Think you know? YOUR CHANCE TO WIN TICKETS Enter now for your chance to win a pair of tickets to a ALDS game at Fenway!     Enter now »     No purchase necessary to enter. Subject to eligibility. Transportation not included. See Official Rules for details.

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