(My Sportsbook) - The Boston Red Sox try to stave off elimination this afternoon when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim go for a sweep in the American League Division Series, as the best-of-five set shifts to Fenway Park.

The Angels, of course, have lost in the ALDS to the Red Sox in 2004, 2007 and 2008. History suggests that Anaheim may be on the verge of exorcising those demons, as teams who are 2-0 in division series play have gone on to win in 32 of 36 series it has occurred.

However, since 2003, the Red Sox are 13-3 in potential elimination games.

Los Angeles took a commanding lead in this series on Friday, as Jered Weaver was dominant through 7 1/3 innings, and the Angels scored three two-out runs in the seventh inning to break a tie helping them to a 4-1 victory.

Weaver (1-0) allowed just one run on two hits and two walks while fanning seven for the Angels, who have won the first two games of a postseason series for only the second time in franchise history. The last time was in 1982 against the Brewers in a five-game ALCS, when Milwaukee responded from its deficit to win three straight games and the league pennant.

In fact, the Angels have gone on to lose every series in which they have won the first game.

"We certainly are aware of the challenge ahead of us, even after tonight's ball game," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "There's one thing that gives you command of the series, and that's when you win the third game in a five- game series, and that's what we're going to focus on trying to get done on Sunday."

Josh Beckett (0-1), who has been a playoff hero for both Boston and Florida, allowed four runs on five hits and a walk in 6 2/3 innings to take the loss for the Red Sox, who are no stranger to big postseason deficits.

Despite the predicament they are in, the Red Sox have won two of the last three series in which they trailed, 0-2. Out of the four times a team has recovered from an 0-2 hole in the ALDS to advance, Boston has recorded two of those comebacks (1999 vs. Cleveland, 2003 vs. Oakland).

"I'd rather not be down, 0-2, because the team we're playing is really good," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "You put yourself in a position where if you make a mistake, it's going to cost you. But until they tell us to go home, we'll take our team and keep going. That's how we always feel."

Boston will go with rookie Clay Buchholz this afternoon. Long considered the crown jewel of the Red Sox organization, Buchholz finally started to live up to expectations, as he went 7-4 with a 4.21 ERA.

"There's pressure there," Buchholz said. "It's more nervousness than anything. I'm sort of getting a little antsy now. This is a do-or-die [game]. You have to win to go on."

He may be running out of steam though. After going eight starts without a loss, Buchholz was 0-1 over his final two outings, surrendering 13 runs in eight innings of those starts.

The Angels will counter with lefty Scott Kazmir, who was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in late August for the stretch run. Despite winning just two of his six starts since the trade, Kazmir pitched to a 1.73 ERA.

He has typically pitched well in Fenway Park, going 6-4 with a 3.05 ERA.

"I like the atmosphere," Kazmir said of pitching at Fenway. "It feels like I love being on the big stage. I really just get amped up for games like that where you have a crowd just all over you and just kind of just in a territory that you're really not comfortable in. I really like being in that stage."

Los Angeles won the regular season series, 5-4, after taking eight of the nine matchups a year ago.