The 2008 ALCS preview

I am hoping the terribly lame LDS will result in a memorable ALCS this fall.

The ALCS already has a few things working in its favor.

1. David vs Goliath. I know the Rays won the east. And the Rays made the White Sox look like the White Sox. But, if you are playing the defending champs in the playoffs - you are the underdog. Especially, if this is the first time in October there have been baseball games in the city of Tampa. Everyone wants to see Rocky knock out the Russian.

2. These are inter-division rivals that plain don't like each other. Even when the Rays were a joke, they were never a team the Red Sox wanted to face. Even if the Sox were winning, chances were a brawl was only an up and in fastball away.

However, the ALCS has a few things working in the direction of making a lame series.

1. The Rays don't have 'that guy'. There is no one who terrifies you in the lineup (granted there is also no easy outs), there is no dominant October pitcher......yet (remember Josh Becket coming into the 03' playoffs?).

2. The Red Sox are missing Manny, Schilling, Pedro, Damon, and David Ortiz is only a shadow his former self. In other words - there are very few people to root against on this team. That doesn't mean I like them, but I have no real disdain for Jacoby Ellsbury or Jason Bay or Kevin Youklis. Good stories need good villians. This team is made up of a bunch of great ball players, but not one Lex Luther.

3. There is a chance we will wake up tomorrow and the Rays will realize - "We are the Rays, we have no business being here" - and disappear into the cold New England night.

To ensure this will be a great series I have created a top 5 list - David Letterman-esque:
"Top 5 ways to make a great 2008 ALCS"

5. Put Mike Lowell on the roster. He doesn't need to start, but he needs a chance to have his Kirk Gibson moment - "I don't believe what I just saw"

4. Grant Belfour and Youk get into a shouting match during the game. Youk doesn't like Balfour yelling after pitchers so he calls his shot to left field. Belfour doesn't want to be shown up - so he calls his shot - Youklis' left ear. Welcome to October

3. Game one, first at-bat for Big Papi and James Shields buzzes the tower. He doesn't need to hit Ortiz, but he needs to announce his presence with authority. Let the benches empty. Perhaps a shove or two. You know, really set the tone for the series.

2. Eric Hinske and Carlos Pena hit back to back home runs of Papelbon in Boston reminding Red Sox fans they should have never let them leave Boston. In the bottom of the 9th Pedroia hits a walk-off home run reminding the Rays that they are the Rays.

1. Super Rays fan Dick Vitale and Red Sox "fan" Ben Affleck get into a fist fight in the stands. Fight is broken up by Matt Damon who sides with Vitale, pulls off his Red Sox hoodie and reveals a Rays jersey.


Prediction: Rays in 6