MLB Picks: Red Sox vs Angels Game 1 ALDS 2009: The Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels are at it again, squaring off against each other for the fourth time (third consecutive) in the last six ALDS. It has been all Red Sox to this point as they possess a 9-1 post-season record against the Angels going back to the 2004 season. Los Angeles will attempt to right their past wrongs when the two teams take the field tonight at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. First pitch is scheduled for 9:37pm ET; the game will be broadcast live on TBS. MLB Picks at SBGglobal.com have the Red Sox listed as a slight -107 moneyline favorite.
The Red Sox enter tonight's series riding a four game win streak after closing out the season with a home sweep of the 
Cleveland Indians. The solid finish left Terry Francona's club with a 95-67 overall record and an eight game lead over the Texas Rangers in the Wildcard race.
Boston, which finished the year with a 39-42 road record, has not had the greatest success against the Angels during the regular season. The Red Sox are just 5-13 against Los Angeles over the last two years and they are 2-7 at Angel Stadium in that same time span. Left-hander Jon Lester's (tonight's starter) personal performance has mirrored the club's performance in regard to the Angels. He has had his troubles against them during the season, but has been lights out facing them in the playoffs.
In four career regular season meetings with LA, Lester has garnered a 1-1 record with a 7.78 ERA. He has given up 33 hits and 17 earned runs in 19.2 innings pitched and walked nine while striking out just eight. However, in two post-season starts against Mike Scioscia's squad, Lester has given up just 10 hits and no earned runs in 14 innings of work. He walked three and struck out 11 in those masterful outings.
Lester finished up the 2009 campaign with 15-8 record and a 3.41 ERA. He compiled an 8-5 road mark and the Red Sox won eight of his last nine starts.
The Angels come into this much anticipated series with a 97-65 record and another AL West title under their collective belts. They too are playing a good brand of baseball having won three in a row and seven of their last eight contests. Los Angeles has also been tough at home this year, earning a 49-32 record at Angel Stadium.
Scioscia has tabbed his big right-hander, Texas native John Lackey, to be this evening's game one starter. Lackey missed the start of the season with elbow issues, and he took a while to round into form when he did return, but round into form he did, finishing the year with an 11-8 record and 3.83 ERA.
Lackey has been a clutch playoff performer for Los Angeles, posting a 2.52 ERA in 11 post-season appearances; however, his October success rate against the Red Sox has been miserable. Lackey is 0-3 against Boston in the playoffs, despite a solid 3.77 ERA over 19.2 innings. The three post-season games in which Lackey has taken the hill against Francona's bunch have totaled just 14 runs.
For his career (regular season), Lackey is 3-7 in 14 starts against Boston with a 5.25 ERA.
SBGglobal.com MLB Picks: Red Sox vs Angels Game 1 ALDS 2009:
Boston Red Sox +1.5 (+150), Over 8 (-120), -107 (Moneyline)
Los Angeles Angels -1.5 (-170), Under 8 (+100), -103 (Moneyline)
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