Red Sox can't stop Angels rally; Get swept 3-0 in series

I don't know whether to be mad or laugh it off.

It had to be poetic justice for an Anaheim Angels organization to finally sweep past the Boston Red Sox in the playoffs. After falling for short so many times, giving up so many late-inning homeruns, Anaheim finally got the last laugh. Rightfully so. There was no way Boston deserved to win that series with the way they had played the entire last two weeks of the season as well as postseason. Unless something drastic happened, unless a spark was ignited ... it wasn't happening. A comeback seemed nearly impossible, much less winning three straight against the better team. While next year might yield better results, I can't deny the fact that I feel a bit disappointed. I love the Red Sox and I love seeing them succeed but they were not the better team. They were outhit, outpitched, and outplayed in every facet. I guess the only question I really have is: where was the heart?

*Photo from www.bostondirtdogs.com

Halos fly high as they rock Red Sox in ALDS Game 1

Watching David Ortiz strike out to end Game 1 of the ALCS against the Anaheim Angels tonight was somewhat ... fitting.

In a mistake filled, lackluster 5-0 losing effort the Boston Red Sox looked lost. It's how I can best describe what I saw. I hate to admit this, but even I have some reservation about this year's squad and how deep of a playoff run they will actually make. When Boston's No. 1 pitcher, Jon Lester can't even stop the offense of the Angels, I begin to wonder. With the untimely tragic death of Nick Adenhart early in the season, the Halos carry a heavy heart into the postseason. To be honest, if they were to go on to defeated my beloved BoSox, I wouldn't mind see them go all the way and win the World Series (anyone is better than New York).

On the bright side, having Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz as the No. 2 and 3 starting pitchers in the series is a great sign. I don't think Boston could have asked to have two better guys to step up then them. While Beckett's had a shaky season, at the end of the day ... he's still Josh freakin' Beckett. Mr. Postseason. He can pull out great performances in October like no body's business. And Buchholz has proven he's the real deal. Granted, the guy did throw a no-hitter in second career MLB start, but he's been solid enough to get picked over Daisuke Matsuzaka as the third starter.

Can Boston pull out ANOTHER postseason series victory against Anaheim? That remains to be seen. I'd love to see this series go the full five games and allow Jon Lester to get some redemption for tonight's disappointing loss. But in order for that to happen, Beckett and Buchholz will have to do their part first.