The Highwaymen

American League Division Series – Game 1

Red Sox 4, Angels 0
Red Sox lead, 1-0

Wow. Not a whole lot of fancy language needed to describe this one. The Sox got a whole lot of Josh Beckett, and a couple of fine defensive plays. Youks and Papi homered, and the Sox had enough offense by the 3rd inning to make this one of the least dramatic postseason wins I can recall.

Beckett allowed a leadoff single to Chone Figgins, and then set down the next 19 batters. He threw first-pitch strikes to 17 consecutive Angels. His 2-seam fastball was unhittable, especially where he located it. His curveball was just mean. And his mound demeanor revealed nothing so much as disdain for the Angels’ batters. It was a textbook, make-a-copy-and-show-the-kids performance by an ace.

It was such a tidy effort by the Sox that I never had time to break into lunatic, knee-bouncing, spasms of nervous anticipation. Almost didn’t feel like the playoffs.

I’m quite sure Daisuke Matsuzaka will change that on Friday night.