MORE ON GAME 4

Since 2004, the Red Sox are 7-1 in series clinching games. The Sox are now 4-0 against the Angels in postseason series, with a total record of 13-4.

Jon Lester pitched 14 innings in the series, allowing 0 earned runs, 1 unearned run, 10 hits, 3 walks, and 11 strikeouts. In his last 23 innings of postseason pitching, he has not allowed an earned run. There are no series MVP awards for the Divisional Series, but if there were, Lester would have won this one.

Jason Bay was 7 for 17 in the series (.412) with 2 homers, 2 doubles, and 5 RBI. Jed Lowrie was 4 for 11 (.364). JD Drew was 4 for 14 (.286) with a double, a homer, and 3 RBI. Ellsbury was 6 for 18 (.333), with 3 doubles, 3 steals, and 6 RBI. These contributions were vital because...

The 2-3-4 combination of Pedroia-Ortiz-Youkilis was a combined 9 for 52 (.173), with 3 doubles, no homers (.231 slugging), and 3 RBI. Winning a series without these guys hitting is an impressive accomplishment. Especially since Beckett and Matsuzaka were both a little dull.

Looking ahead to the ALCS and the upstart Rays, the question of a #4 pitcher will be a hot topic the next few days. Wakefield struggled against Tampa this season (0-2, 5.87 ERA), but Byrd didn't face them at all. I'd rather see Byrd out there because of Wakefield's bad experiences earlier in the year.

Mike Lowell is most likely going to miss the ALCS due to his hip. Even if he were healthy enough to take the field, he's become a gap in the lineup and a question mark in the field because of his injury.

It should be a good series. But I think Pedroia, Youkilis, and Ortiz will get rolling, and the Sox will win in 6.

Sources:
Baseball-Reference.com
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Charles Krupa