Another year, another postseason, another round of sleepless nights and extra-large morning coffees. The Red Sox kick off the postseason phase of their latest championship quest tonight against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the West Coast game (start time: 10 p.m. EST) will once more keep East Coast fans from normal levels of work productivity until the team gets back into Boston this weekend.
The matchup: Lester vs. Lackey. We're liking our odds: 16-6 Lester against the 12-5 Lackey. American League Pitcher of the Month in September against the guy who imploded during what should have been a tuneup against the Rangers last week. We know that many (read: most) favor the Angels in this series, but we're going on a game-by-game basis. This one is ours to win.
The big question: will Lowell and Drew be back? The players practiced on Tuesday, but Francona was reluctant to answer that question. We probably won't know until today's 1 p.m. lineup deadline.
What we do know: a nap from 7-9 p.m. this evening is highly advisable. Rest up and prepare. It's showtime.
Photo by flickr user Paul Keleher

Boston Seventh Strangest City in U.S.


Ah, if only the Red Sox had won their division and could relax at home awaiting the White Sox.
The game could be starting earlier than 10 PM, there would be no cross-country flights.
Will that 3 game set in Boston with Tampa Bay in September, in which the Rays won 2, come back to haunt the Red Sox? Let's hope not.