=== Keys in the Red Sox - Yankees series ===
By Eric Gold, MLB Editor
(My Sportsbook) - For a second consecutive year, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees will face each other in the American League Championship Series.
Last year's ALCS ended in dramatic fashion in Game 7 when Aaron Boone's homer in the bottom of the 11th inning boosted New York into the World Series. The Yankees would then lose to Florida in six games.
It seems the Red Sox, who swept Anaheim in three games in the ALDS, have been waiting a full year for revenge and a chance to win their first World Series since 1918.
The Yankees are coming off a Division Series victory versus Minnesota.
The two teams have vast differences as far as postseason history is concerned. The Yankees, winners of seven straight AL East crowns, have won the AL pennant in five of the last six years, capturing the World Series from 1998-2000. Boston is aiming to get back to the World Series for the first time since an infamous Game 6 collapse against the New York Mets in 1986.
As an introduction to this ALCS matchup, let's take a look at the keys to winning the series for both clubs.
BOSTON RED SOX
1 - Schilling and Martinez
Lined up as the starters for the first two games of this series and for Games 5 and 6, the Red Sox figure to need at least seven solid innings out of both Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez. Schilling has won six straight postseason decisions and is 6-1 all-time in the playoffs with a 1.74 ERA. Martinez, who is 5-1 all-time in the playoffs, struggled against the Yankees this year, going 1-2 with a 5.47 ERA in four outings. Martinez needs to rebound from a poor ALCS last year, as he went 0-1 with a 5.65 ERA. Martinez had an awful September, but was solid in his only start of the Division Series.
2 - Big bats
Designated hitter David Ortiz, left fielder Manny Ramirez and center fielder Johnny Damon combined to hit .461 in the Division Series against the Angels. The trio cannot afford to go into a slump in this series. For a second straight year, the Red Sox led the majors in nearly every offensive category.
3 - Keith Foulke
Last year the Red Sox had an inability to close games until Derek Lowe came alive in the postseason. In the offseason they acquired Keith Foulke and he responded with 31 saves and a 2.17 ERA in 71 appearances. That included a 1.50 ERA with three saves in nine appearances against the Yankees. Manager Terry Francona shouldn't hesitate to allow Foulke to pitch more than an inning on different occasions.
NEW YORK YANKEES
1 - Knock out Schilling and Martinez early
Success for the Yankees will be predicated on getting to Schilling and Martinez early. If Derek Jeter, Gary Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez and the rest of the powerful Yankee lineup can do early-inning damage, they'll expose Boston's weakest spot, their middle relievers. Don't be surprised if the Red Sox go to knuckleballer Tim Wakefield if they fall behind early.
2 - Limit strain on bullpen
With Mariano Rivera being the most dominating closer in postseason history, the Yankees must limit the rest of the bullpen's usage. Tom Gordon needs to stay fresh in case he has to close games early in the series. One advantage the Yankees have here is Esteban Loaiza or Tanyon Sturtze can eat up innings if asked to go into a game early.
3 - Mike Mussina and Jon Lieber
The duo will be matched up with Schilling and Martinez. Mussina has a 1-3 mark and a 3.07 ERA in seven games (6 starts) all-time in the ALCS. While Mussina has postseason experience to match up with Schilling, Lieber is relatively untested and will be a huge factor in this series. He went 1-0 with a 4.19 ERA in three games versus Boston this season.
